5 stars
This story involves a dog being, a dog. Quite opposite the clean cat, the dog has a wonderful day making messes. He happily digs up his bone from the yard and then drags (it) up into the living room so he can comfortably chew up the muddy delicacy. Soon, the dog is found and pe... more

5 stars
This story involves a dog being, a dog. Quite opposite the clean cat, the dog has a wonderful day making messes. He happily digs up his bone from the yard and then drags (it) up into the living room so he can comfortably chew up the muddy delicacy. Soon, the dog is found and penned up, while his person cleans up the mess. There is a happy ending to the dog’s story. The pen gate lifts up so the dog can race up the stairs and snuggle up with his favorite person. The dog is equally cute clean or muddy.

The story and text is simple, which can be the hardest to write. Can you imagine writing a children’s story with only 45 words? That is the number in Up Dog. The important word in each is the word up. . Don’t let the simplicity fool you. Each story has a logical beginning and end, plus middle. Being repetitive, it helps the youngest kids gain confidence in their reading and a sense of mastery. They have humor, and entertain.

I fell in love with Up Dog. The illustrations are as good, if not better, than any picture book out last year, and probably this year. I like the illustrations because they perfectly fit the two words on each page. The dog’s eyes are so expressive and show his happiness from beginning to end. This little guy is the pup for anyone allergic to dogs …um, oops, toddlers and young kids will fall in love with this happy little guy. Up Dog is a lovely book that toddlers and young children will treasure. Your child will enjoy reading this beautiful charmer over, and over, and over. I think your child will open Up Dog often. I have. The book has 22 pages, made of thick card to outlast tough little hands, and colorfully inviting

Note: received book from publisher, Annick Press. Review from Kid Lit Reviews http://kid-lit-reviews.com/2012/03/09/up-cat-up-dog-both-by-hazel-hutchins/