We Match!

Gr 1-3–This energetic comedy takes a fond look at the ins and outs of canine behavior. A group of dogs trickles into the dog park one by one. An alert border collie regards each new arrival with suspicion, declaring it to be different from those already present. However, upon closer inspection, the dogs find a wealth of similarities based on their preferences and behavior. Just like the border collie, a little bichon-frise-and-poodle mix likes to stick its head out the car window on drives. A mastiff and a golden retriever both prefer dry food. And, of course, many of them enjoy chasing squirrels. Finally, even a pet ferret is welcomed into the group, with friendliness as the defining trait linking it to all the dogs. Glick’s zany art, in a comic-style panel layout, is well suited to Barton’s concept and enthusiastic tone, but the slyly humorous gestalt may appeal more to adults than children. For example, in an oddly fourth-wall-shredding device, one dog acts as a play-by-play sports announcer for the others’ antics, staring out at readers from inset boxes and delivering color commentary through a handheld microphone provided by its owner (including arch bits like “You’d think numero uno would know better by now,” and “You love to see that, dog park aficionados!”). All in good fun, of course, but it may take some work to let kids in on the joke.