From School Library Journal
Grade 2–5—Featuring more than breeds that are categorized as hunting, herding, working, or companion dogs, this attractive volume includes interesting and sometimes unusual facts about canines. The animals included cover a broad spectrum from well known and popular, such as the Labrador retriever and pug, to the less-familiar Canaan dog and Neapolitan mastiff. The painterly illustrations are often action-packed, showing, for example, Akitas in a confrontation with a bear, a dachshund down in a tunnel with a badger, and the Portuguese water dog working with fishermen. There is also a brief history of the origin of dogs and a succinct look at mixed breeds. Although there is not enough information for reports, this is a great browsing book. It gives an appreciation of the common traits and unique personalities and talents of "man's best friend," accompanied by high-quality illustrations, that readers will enjoy looking at again and again.—Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Lively painted action portraits of dogs, pictured mostly in outdoor and historical settings, animate this overview of modern canine breeds and their traditional functions. For each of 42 breeds (hunting, working, herding, or companion dogs), the authors provide brief notes on distinctive physical characteristics, most common uses in the past, and general temperament. The text is as engaging as the pictures, chockablock with the sorts of facts that dog fanciers love to sink their teeth into: bloodhounds are prone to drooling; an Afghan Hound is “one of the few dogs that notices birds and planes flying through the sky.” The scenes of fighting and of bull-baiting are bloodless, but they may still be mildly disturbing to some. Closing with a look at mixed-breed dogs and the suggestion that they often make better, healthier pets than purebreds do, this will be an irresistible draw for both browsers and for children hoping to add a four-legged new family member. Grades 2-4. --John Peters
Review
“If you're curious about that unusual looking dog you saw, if you are thinking about getting a dog for the family, or it you are simply interested in the animal that so often shares our lives, this book will satisfy you…. This book, a first collaboration for the husband/wife team of professional illustrators, is richly illustrated with vibrant paintings that show the dogs in action in their historical setting or activity. The authors give mixed breeds a quick mention and offers to donate some proceeds from the book to animal welfare and rescue organizations. An engaging read for all dog lovers.” Highly Recommended
— Canadian Review of Materials
“ . . . an irresistible draw for both browsers and for children hoping to add a four-legged new family member.”
— Booklist
“. . . this attractive volume includes interesting and sometimes unusual facts about canines. . .It gives an appreciate of the common traits and unique personalities and talents of ‘man’s best friend,’ accompanied by high-quality illustrations, that readers will enjoy looking at again and again.”
— School Library Journal
“ . . .a very thorough and more-than-beguiling disquisition (with illustrations) on the history of . . .dogs”
— The Globe and Mail
About the Author
Jeff Crosby and Shelley Ann Jackson are graduates of the prestigious MFA illustration program at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. They live in Manhattan with their daughter, Harper, dachshund, Baron, and shih tzu, Millie. Jeff has illustrated six children’s picture books. The duo’s first book together, Little Lions, Bull Baiters & Hunting Hounds, received a nonfiction research grant from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
