Walkies A dog's tale

A begrudging walk on a rain-soaked day brings a shift in perspective for a kid whose dog eagerly shares paw-sitive energy in this energetic and endearing wordless adventure. As rain falls steadily outside, a dog stages a dramatic intervention to drag a child away from the computer and into inclement weather. One sporting a grimace and the other a floppy-tongued grin, the pair explores waterlogged woods. With some stubborn "SNIFF! SNIFF!"--ing at a tree and a squelchy "SPLOCK!" at a mud puddle that swallows the child's galoshes, the duo makes its way to an overlook that changes the kid's attitude about the outing. Lourenço's full-bleed digital illustrations in a jewel-toned palette capture dynamic movement (zoomies!) and an expressive emotional range. Sequences are cleverly framed to cue visual progression, and the subtlety of the computer cord as its own leash is a brilliant touch. This soggy and exuberant romp would pair beautifully with another atmospheric, near-wordless canine adventure: Doug Salati's sweltering and joyous Caldecott winner Hot Dog (2022). A wet and wonderful tale of pet ownership.

Misery and affection go hand in hand when it comes to taking your pup out for walkies. Upon returning home from walking the dog, all a kid wants is to get into dry clothes and play some computer games. The child's overexcited pup has different plans, however. After the dog gets tangled in the electrical cords and knocks the computer over, the child dons a raincoat once more and takes the pooch out into the miserable weather again. The youngster is less than pleased. The pup, in contrast, is ecstatic. Initially aggrieved, the kid begins to slow down and notice the beauty of the natural world. Things might be wet, messy, muddy, and slick, but sometimes it takes a canine to show what's already in front of your eyes. In this entirely wordless tale, Lourenço evinces emotion on the page with admirable acuity. Both the child, who has paper-white skin, and the dog vie equally for readers' sympathies at the beginning. Colors, like the yellow of the rain slicker or the vibrant red of the leash, pop magnificently when presented against the blue gloom of the day, the hues brightening in tandem with the kid's mood. This is a natural successor to Doug Salati's Caldecott-winningHot Dog (2022). Truly, you don't need words to tell a great (and all-too-relatable) dog tale.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.