________________ CM . . . . Volume III Number 7 . . . . November 29, 1996

cover Meet Matt and Roxy.

Karen Huszar. Photographs by Susan Huszar.
Victoria: Orca Book Publishers, 1996. Unpaged, board cover, $14.95.
ISBN 1-55143-053-3.

Kindergarten - grade 2 / Ages 5 - 7.
Review by Sharon A. McLennan McCue.

*** /4

image This delightful picture book's simple story is told from the point of view of Roxy, a white bull terrier with the proverbial black patch around one eye. Roxy introduces the reader to her best friend Matt and together they frolic their way through a typical day.

      Matt and Roxy go to a park, walk on the beach, play in a backyard wading pool, blow bubbles, play dress-up, swing, eat ice cream, have a bath, and go to sleep together. In many ways, they live in the world of a typical middle-class kid, if such a person still exists. Another interesting thing is that we do not see any adults throughout this book; it is totally kid-&-dog-centred. image

      The simple text (one sentence per page) is a perfect compliment to the photographs with their almost sepia tones and delicate colouring. I can see a small, as-yet-unable-to-read child sitting through this story and wanting to hear (and see) it again and again. Early readers will find enough easy words to carry them over the more challenging ones - like "wrinkly."

      The book might not appeal to audiences in those areas where parks, beaches, and backyard wading pools are not common. Bearing that in mind, this book is recommended for appropriate libraries and home collections.


Recommended.

Sharon A. McLennan McCue is a former school library advisor for the Cree School Board of James Bay.

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

Copyright © 1996 the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

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