Australian author Lois Nicholls (Bye-bye Bikini, 2018, etc.) and illustrator Lara Nicholls (Aussie, Actually, 2012), a mother-daughter team, celebrate lovable canines in rhyme in their picture book.
Tarna, a golden retriever, pals around with her human friend, until he realizes that the dog's gotten "quite smelly"—possibly from being in the paddock past the pond. Kane, a Great Dane, is "Not a pony ... that's BALONEY!" In nine rhyming poems with full-color paintings, the Nichollses introduce readers to a range of different dogs. The pups are of varied breeds, including apparent daisy-dog mutts and a goldendoodle (aka a groodle), as well as a more common Jack Russell terrier and a beagle. They all have diverse personalities and expressions: French bulldog Philippe loves cafés and "bling"; beagle Bonny is an adventurous traveler. The paintings are realistic and endearing, and each features a tiny bee for hidden-object searchers.
The book's charming paintings will draw in animal lovers, and the poems' catchy, irregular rhythms will encourage recitation.
