We Match!, by Chris Barton, Sharon Glick (illustrator)

 

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.

History Tipsters Sneak Into the Oval Office The Inside Scoop on the U.S. Presidency, by Blake Hoena

 Publication August 1, 2024

Done in comic/graphic style, this is a succinct, fun look at not just the Oval Office but some of the very important things that go into making our government work effectively. Illustrated by Manuel Molina Navarro, the artwork is at once both whimsical and realistic, not to mention not particular reverent toward its targets. Not insulting, just not necessarily always seriously respectful. Supposedly narrated by President Harrison, the various presidents are usually referred to by their number, ie Washington is #1 and so on and so on. And, yes, while it dwells on a handful, each president through Biden does get a mention, albeit the latter ones largely only a one-liner of their chief accomplishment as it draws closer to modern times.

Basically, what you'll get here isn't just a recitation of the presidents, however, but also how our nation was born, its government set up, Washington's role, er, #1's role, the importance of a peaceful transfer of power, the development and use/need for cabinet advisors, as well as exactly what executive orders and a veto are. For instance, as important as it was, it notes that the Emancipation Proclamation was an executive order. Interestingly enough, Theodore Roosevelt once held the record for the most executive proclamations with 1,081. Franklin D. Roosevelt would later use 3,721, not to mention having 635 vetoes. Of course, as noted, remember his term of office was long, which ultimately lead to the 22nd Amendment limiting a president to only two terms. In other words, precedents were being set, tweaked, and used as reference for future actions and, let's face it, inaction. My favorite quote, btw, was "No one wanted our president to be a bossy king". That's what I mean by the sometimes flip irreverence of the book.

Bottom line, while sparse on presidents after FDR, one where the entire world was frequently in turmoil, this is an informative, easy read for, oh, upper elementary and beyond. That said, given some of the rather inside jokes, so to speak, an in-the-know adult may need to explain some things to young readers. Timely given the upcoming election as I type, and manages to remain rather rather firmly in the middle without ignoring basic elements of the government established by the Founding Fathers. Thanks #NetGalley and #Capstone for refreshing my mind on our government basics and those who have wielded it in the most powerful office in the world. And, oops, readers, almost forgot. There's a glossary, Read More section, list of internet sites, and index at the end. This would make a great addition to school libraries and classrooms, not to mention our own bookshelves.