Publication July 15, 2025
Fun!
Even better, amidst the laughs at the doggie antics and full-of-activity illustrations, it has a message. We may all be different in appearance but we're also alike in, oh, so many ways. Join this lively, playful bunch of dog park dogs and discover ways we're alike. In the process, you'll probably find lots to grin and chuckle over, from the baseball player style cards that intro us to the dogs to the activity that goes on in the background behind the focus of attention. Make sure you take the time to look at the full illustrations, in other words, as there is lots going on. You'll see diverse humans, including at least one in a wheelchair, and one dog owner that I can't quite decide if is on skates or simply being dragged along by his enthusiastic dog in a full out run. Make sure you spot the duck. And, wait till you see their new friend at the end.
Done in comic style with the dogs being the ones to provide the dialogue, there's a lot to take in as you read. I have to admit to going back through the story a couple extra times after my initial read focused on the text simply to make sure I hadn't missed any nuances. I enjoyed every go-through and, yes, found something going on each time that I'd either totally missed or skimmed over initially. Children can spend some enjoyable moments trying to make sure they see everything. I also liked the careful way the illustrator made the park a safe place to enter, with an entrance design I've seen used at the dog walk area at my own vet's. There's even a sign about cleaning up after your dog, a nice touch. The illustrations are just plain fun, with colorful scenes that encompass everything from dogs and their humans arriving at the park to some unexpected encounters. Each dog has its own look at personality, further developed even at the end with the use of what would be the back of the player/dog cards shown early on. You'll learn not just the dogs' ages and breeds but other bits of info about them there. Button is Player of the Year, by the way. Grin.
Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this fun book. As the dogs go through what becomes a ritual of discovering what they all have in common, from not just appearance but such things as, well, the obvious "Throw the ball!" and what would be one of my dog's favorites, enjoying chasing squirrels, plus things she wouldn't like, like wearing coats and costume type get-ups. to things about where they met their owners and more. They are all friends, too. It's be great fun to lead children in a round of this, I'd think, as laughter and hopefully understanding would be forthcoming and help us learn to be more open to others who might appear different on the surface. Thanks #AstraPublishingHouse for sharing this fun read early with me. I'll definitely be sharing it with my dog-loving friends.
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