Merci Mister Dash! Monica Kulling. Illustrated by Esperança Melo. Toronto, ON: Tundra, 2011. 32 pp., hardcover, $19.99. ISBN 978-0-88776-964-1. Subject Heading: Dogs-Juvenile literature. Preschool-grade 1 / Ages 3-6. Review by Reesa Cohen. *** /4 Reviewed from f&gs.

excerpt:

Mr. Dash was unlike any hound in town. His nose was like a pointer's and his legs were like a Lab's. He had the body of a boxer, a poodle's tail, and a sheepdog's ears. He might look like five different dogs, but Mr. Dash was a model of manners. He never jumped on people, or growled, or drooled, or made a mess. He always put his best paw forward.

Well-dressed, well-mannered Mr. Dash leads a calm, peaceful existence with his owner, Madam Croissant. A combination of many breeds, this gentle dog helps his owner in her store and keeps her company as she works on her stamp collection. But this orderly, civilized life is disrupted on Sundays when "the little dynamo," otherwise known as Madame's granddaughter Daphne, visits. Sundays at Madame Croissants are unpredictable and wild. Exuberant Daphne would run through the house "like a racehorse," pound down the stairs "like a baboon," hang from the trees "like a bat" and splash in the puddles "like an elephant." Whenever possible, Mr. Dash would try to avoid being around the loud and rambunctious Daphne.

      Much to Mr. Dash's chagrin, when he is stuck around Daphne, he becomes her playmate. One day as her wild play turns dangerous, it is Mr. Dash who comes to the rescue and becomes an "action hero."

      Monica Kulling has published 26 fiction and nonfiction books for children, including picture books, poetry, and biographies. Kulling's skill for telling a charming story is evident here. The text is full of vivid and descriptive similes as she describes both Daphne and Mr. Dash. Kulling manages to skillfully inhabit the personality of this wise and courteous dog as he deals with his untamed Sunday visitor. The illustrations by Esperança Melo are bright, colourful and depict action with great humour, complementing the story very well.

Recommended.

Reesa Cohen is a retired Instructor of Children's Literature and Information Literacy at the Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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