Review by Booklist Review
Plum, the black dog with the big eyes, is a lover. She loves wind, treats, bed, and so much more. She loves the kids next door and her adult owners, Emma and Rupert. And she especially loves feeling loved. But when Plum is at the park (which she loves), she does some unlovable things, including jumping in the duck pond and later taking ice cream from a baby. Plum gets a time-out and, while alone in the dark, begins to wonder if anyone still loves her, and so she's deliriously happy when Emma and Rupert show up to say she is, in fact, still adored. Little ones will easily identify with Plum, who wants to be good but also finds some things irresistible. Clark, who blogs about her real dog, Plum, presents a book, jauntily illustrated in watercolor and colored pencil, that brims with good humor, recognizable lessons, and, of course, lots of love. The oversize format eye-catching spreads and pages of vignettes makes this a great choice for story hours.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2015 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Clark's rambunctious dog, Plum, whose exploits have been chronicled on the author's blog as well as in a recent adult title, Plumdog, makes her picture book debut. Working in watercolor and pencil, Clark exuberantly captures Plum's zest for life, whether it's playing with the kids next door or causing trouble (like diving into the pond at the park) that tests his family's patience. But unconditional love is unconditional love, and even at the height of Plum's post-mischief worry-"Would they ever love me again?" she wonders, stuck in time-out-the answer to that question is never in doubt. Ages 3-5. (Nov.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 3-Plum, an endearing whippet, poodle, and Jack Russell mix, joyfully informs readers about all of the things she loves. Treats, the park, her neighbors: she loves everything (except rain). But what she loves most is love itself. Most days her family reciprocates her feelings just fine, but in her quest to do the things that make her happy, she ends up doing a few things she shouldn't. Several incidents end with a scolding and the exasperated remark "Oh, Plum!" which makes the pooch worry that they won't forgive her. For most of the book this cheerful dog is surrounded by other individuals in colorful contexts, but in her moment of doubt, she's alone and in the dark. Even with watercolors and pencils giving the spread a gentle touch, at that moment readers empathize with her. But then the family members open the door to collect and reassure her, eliciting a sigh of relief. Dog owners will recognize the authenticity in Plum's voice, that live-in-the-moment attitude, the inability to understand why certain actions are prohibited (hence the lack of explanations in the text), and that particular look that says, "Please love me." VERDICT An adorable lesson in love from a big-hearted little dog.-Rachel Forbes, Oakville Public Library, Ontario, Canada © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Plum loves her doggy bed, her human family, and--unfortunately for her humans--tug-of-war and the pond in the park. The pooch stresses, however: "LOVE IS MY VERY FAVORITE THING!" When Plum misbehaves, she wonders whether anyone will still love her. Watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations humorously capturing the disasters and energetic doggy narration offset the didactic, underwhelming conclusion. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Clark captures a dog's exuberance and love of the simple things. While the text is missing any mention of "Squirrel!" still, Plum jumps from one thing to the next that she loves, from wind and snow and catching and sticks and the kids next door to the park, water, tug of war, and ice cream. It's these last four things that get Plum into trouble one day, one awful day when she wonders if any of the people she loves still love herthat's how naughty she's been. This is doubly tough for poor Plum, as LOVE is her favorite thing in the world, LOVE being the love she has for her family, Emma and Rupert, and for Gracie and Sam, the kids next door, and the love they have for her. Clark uses white backgrounds and spreads that vary among comic panels, vignettes, single-page and double-page spreads to pace the tale and make it clear to readers just how energetic and exuberant the scruffy black mutt is. And no child will fail to understand the dog's conundrum: she knows what she should do and yet feels compelled to do the wrong thing anyway. Fur, ears, and posture speak volumes. Dog lovers will especially "LOVE" this, and readers who can't get enough can follow the real-life Plum in the author's blog. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
