It’s easy to see why little kids love books about naughty dogs (a tradition that goes back a long way—think Harry the Dirty Dog). Children and their canine counterparts both want to please their parents and love to play at the drop of a hat. They know that there are rules that need to be followed—but it’s a constant struggle when you have little impulse control in a world filled with so many temptations. Enter Oh No, George!, a humorous new picture book by Chris Haughton (Little Owl Lost). George is a goofy-looking, red-fuchsia dog with poor self control. Before he steps out, his owner, Harry, asks: “Will you be good, George?” And George, with good intentions, promises to behave. But then he sees a yummy-looking cake in the kitchen. We see a picture of him staring straight ahead, his round eyes filled with angst. The text, repeated throughout, reads: “What will George do?” Turn the page and we see George gulping down the cake: “Oh no, George!” This pattern is repeated with subsequent temptations (a cat that begs to be chased, potted flowers that beg to be dug up). When Harry returns, he is, of course, distressed by the mess George has made. The contrite pooch apologizes and offers up his favorite toy, a rubber ducky. All is forgiven and Harry invites George out for a walk. Here is George’s chance to redeem himself! They pass by a cake sitting out on a picnic blanket. George resists. They pass by mounds of “lovely dirt.” George resists. They pass a kitty in a tree. George resists. But lest you think George has totally transformed, our four-legged protagonist encounters something with a “very interesting” smell: an overflowing trash bin. As George stares longingly into the trash bin, the text reads: “What will George do?” Young audiences are left to make up their own conclusion. Oh, yes, George! A funny, sympathetic canine character and striking, expressive illustrations make this a great choice for story time.
What is your favorite dog character in a children’s book?
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