Turtle in a tree

When Greyhound hears rustling up in a tree, he is convinced he sees a turtle. Bulldog, certain of the facts that turtles need water, don't climb trees, and certainly don't throw acorns at dogs, is equally convinced the rustling creature must be a squirrel. After the debate grows into a squabble that turns into a shouting match, they are both silenced by a rather unexpected reveal. The overarching message--that there is more than one side to every story, and it is possible for both parties to be a little right and a little wrong--is as important as it is timely, and it takes a subtle back seat to the delightful absurdity of the tale. Using sparse text, chuckle-worthy sound effects, and several absolutely wonderful and expertly placed wordless spreads, Hudson is clearly a storyteller and artist who understands intuitively how to use silence and image to amplify laughs. Also, may we all start using the startled expletive "Kibble and Biscuits!" when something unexpected falls from a tree.

Two dogs speculate about the unseen creature they hear in a tree--which is right? A greyhound in a yellow-and-orange sweater hears a "rustle rustle" and stops to investigate. Noticing the larger dog staring at a tree, a French bulldog in a purple necktie asks, "What do you see?" The greyhound responds, matter-of-factly, "A turtle in a tree." Baffled, the bulldog explains that such a thing would be "impossible" and then opines, "It must be a squirrel." The two continue to debate, each presenting the other with evidence to support their claim. Soon, the friendly banter turns aggressive--and, consequently, the type grows larger with each page turn--as neither dog budges. Though the surprise ending resolves the mystery once and for all, an Australian shepherd arrives to start a similar conversation all over again. Hudson's author/illustrator debut is a funny and insightful look at perspective-taking. Readers never see what the dogs see in the tree until the end, smartly inviting them to imagine alongside the characters. Silent bird side characters provide comedic relief throughout. The soft art--with spare but colorful details and plenty of white space--adds a dreamlike quality. Aside from a few sound effects, the narrative is conveyed through dialogue contained in color-coded speech bubbles. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-18-inch double-page spreads viewed at 37% of actual size.) Worth a look--and a head scratch or two. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.