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Dear Book Lovers, Welcome! I am delighted that you have found The Through the Looking Glass blog. For over twenty years I reviewed children's literature titles for my online journal, which came out six times a year. Every book review written for that publication can be found on the Through the Looking Glass website (the link is below). I am now moving in a different direction, though the columns that I write are still book-centric. Instead of writing reviews, I'm offering you columns on topics that have been inspired by wonderful books that I have read. I tell you about the books in question, and describe how they have have impacted me. This may sound peculiar to some of you, but the books that I tend to choose are ones that resonate with me on some level. Therefore, when I read the last page and close the covers, I am not quite the same person that I was when first I started reading the book. The shift in my perspective might be miniscule, but it is still there. The books I am looking are both about adult and children's titles. Some of the children's titles will appeal to adults, while others will not. Some of the adult titles will appeal to younger readers, particularly those who are eager to expand their horizons.

Monday, June 27, 2011

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book one hundred and seventy-eight

I don't know about other people's dogs, but my three are always doing something. They are barking, chasing insects, sniffing, dreaming, snoring, washing the cats, playing, and no doubt doing a certain number of things that I don't want to know about. Today's picture book explores just a few of the things that dogs do.

Marilyn Singer
Illustrated by Kathleen Habbley
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 6
Simon and Schuster, 2011, 978-1-4169-7931-9
   There is something that many dog owners don’t really realize. Dogs may look as if they are not doing much, but in fact they are quite busy animals, even when we think that they are not doing anything. When they are fast asleep they are dreaming, and when they are eyeing food that is on the table, they are “scheming” to find a way to get to the food in question.
   There are some dogs who really work, like police dogs, guide dogs, sheep dogs, and circus performing dogs. Then there are everyday pets who might not have an occupation as such, but who still manage to be doing something much of the time. They get into trouble, play games, and accompany their people on walks and trips. They swim, run, bounce, sled, shed, and dance.
   With its simple rhyming text, and its expressive illustrations, this is a picture book that people who love dogs will enjoy. Many of the scenes in the book will be familiar to dog owners, and it is hard not to laugh at the dogs portrayed on the pages.

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