Book review: This is a Dog, by Ross Collins

Collins, Ross. This is a Dog. Nosy Crow, 2020. Unpaged. $16.99. ISBN 9781536212006. Ages 4-6. P8Q8

A scruffy dog takes over the pages of what would have been a traditional children’s picture dictionary introducing the animals of the world. Using a crayon to mark through the animals’ names and gradually taking over each illustrated spread, the dog quickly makes himself the focus of the book, until the other animals turn and chase the him across the book’s pages. 

Verdict: Illustrations of the scruffy dog remind me of Louis Darling’s illustrations of Beverly Cleary’s Ribsy, with the same square muzzle and impish humor.  I could not tell if this was an intentional homage or merely the result of the author choosing the same breed of dog as a model.  The subversive dog demonstrates photobombing, sprawling, romping, and even peeing (on the giraffe’s leg) in his bid to become the focus of the book.  Much of the humor comes from the other animals’ expressions as the dog takes over their space in the spotlight.  The humor will appeal to both young children and adult readers over the many times it will be requested.  Highly recommended for home, preschool and public libraries.

October 2020 review by Jane Cothron.