Crowe, Caroline. Be More Dog: A Tail of Happiness. Carlos Velez, Illus. Floris, 10/2023. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.95. 978-1-7825-0832-8. GRADES Preschool–Kindergarten. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
A child with a dog, what can be better? Seemingly not much, as this kid loves how happy the family’s dog always is. When Dad hasn’t arrived home yet, the narrator’s worry builds and builds. To self-soothe, the tan-skinned kid tries all kinds of ways to play with and imitate the happy dog. Colored pencil sketch-type illustrations show off the happy dog and their play, which does distract the narrator. The book offers useful casual representation of disability, as illustrations show the child’s hearing aids, which aren’t mentioned in the text. A great depiction of how having fun can make the time go by, and before you know it, Dad is home.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library