My Father the Dog

Elizabeth Bluemle (author)

Randy Cecil (illustrations)

Candlewick Press, USA: 2006 

Genres: allegory, humour

Issues: family, identity, relationships

When your father brings the newspaper in each morning, chases a ball if you throw it, and likes the windows down and a breeze on his face when he's in the car, doesn't it seem likely that he's actually a dog?

This very funny picture book is really an examination of some of the more human features of our four-legged friends - and some of the more canine characteristics of certain human beings. The metaphor is fully explored in a warm, affectionate tone with a wink and a nudge to the reader that encourages them to laugh along with the child narrator at this whimsical idea.

Brightly coloured, double-page illustrations in oil reinforce the comical side of the father's behaviour while also showing a happy, loving family.

Very appealing.