Overview

Dot isn't like the other dogs: she doesn't like going out for walks, and she doesn't like going to the park. Her favorite thing is staying at home with her favorite toy and best friend, Peep. But when Peep goes missing under the garden fence, Dot might have to venture out into the world . . .

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9781728467719

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Reviews

Dot and her best friend Peep spend every moment together. While the other dogs play at the park, Dot's favorite thing to do is be at home, safe and cozy with Peep. One day, after spending time in the backyard garden with Peep, Dot fell asleep. While napping, another dog crawls through a crack in the fence and takes Peep to play in the neighboring park. When Dot awakens, she can't find Peep; then, she spots Peep through the fence. She crawls through the crack and nearly grabs Peep, but another dog snatches up Peep and runs away. Dot quickly chases after the other dog, but a much bigger dog follows her and won't leave her alone. Dot runs as fast as she can, but she can't shake the big dog. After some time, Dot realizes that in spite of all of the chaos, she is actually having fun--and so is Peep! Still, Dot is unsure about letting the other dogs play with Peep, so she returns home, where she feels safe. The next day, Dot hears a lot of noise in the garden and finds all of the dogs from the park have brought over Peeps of their own to share and play together. While Dot still loves her time with just Peep, she now also enjoys playing with the other dogs, too. Children who are timid and shy can relate to Dot and her desire to be in environments that feel safe and comfortable. McLaren's writing encourages children to try new things and step out of their comfort zones, reassuring that there might just be a fun adventure and new friends waiting. Reviewer Rating 5 --Children's Literature -- Website (12/29/2022 12:00:00 AM) How far would you be willing to go to save your best friend? Dot, a brown-and-white dog wearing a red knit cap, loves her best friend, Peep, a purple stuffed elephant. A true homebody, Dot doesn't love going to the park with the other dogs but does enjoy a jaunt in the garden. Even if there's a strange smell or something new, being with Peep reassures fretful Dot. When Peep is taken by another dog one day, Dot is forced to leave her fenced-in haven to save her pal. When she ventures into the park, she finds Peep--and a host of canines racing around. The other dogs think that Dot's efforts to get Peep back are an invitation to play, and eventually, Dot decides that the running and chasing are kind of fun. But what if Peep gets taken again one day? Dot hurries home; the next day, she refuses to even leave the house, so her new friends come to her, and she learns that all of them have their own versions of comfort objects, which join Peep on the back endpapers. The illustrations, a mix of full-bleed spreads and vignettes, capture a dog's perspective perfectly. Though the situation that Dot faces is an overwhelming one--and one that will likely resonate with children also worried about making new friends--soft artwork depicting smiling doggy faces brimming with emotion will convince little ones that taking a risk is well worth it. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Just the thing to persuade even the most nervous of nellies to venture out of their comfort zones. --Kirkus Reviews -- Journal (8/1/2022 12:00:00 AM) While most dogs enjoy a long walk or a romp in the park, timid Dot prefers staying home and playing with her beloved squeaky toy, a little blue elephant named Peep. Every day, the two best friends patrol the garden together, but one day, after Dot falls asleep, another dog enters through a broken fence and takes Peep to the park. Fearful but determined, Dot ventures out to save Peep. More dogs gather to join the fun, chasing each other around the park. Soon Dot realizes that she and Peep are unexpectedly enjoying themselves. Still, fearful of losing her friend, she doesn't return to the park until all the dogs bring their own toys to join in the wild rumpus. McLaren, a British illustrator, creates endearing illustrations through her use of rounded shapes, her choice of gentle colors, and her lovable portrayals of the canine characters. With a simply worded text that reads aloud well, this playful picture book may encourage even timid children to try something new before deciding that they don't like it. --Booklist -- Journal (9/15/2022 12:00:00 AM)

How far would you be willing to go to save your best friend? Dot, a brown-and-white dog wearing a red knit cap, loves her best friend, Peep, a purple stuffed elephant. A true homebody, Dot doesn't love going to the park with the other dogs but does enjoy a jaunt in the garden. Even if there's a strange smell or something new, being with Peep reassures fretful Dot. When Peep is taken by another dog one day, Dot is forced to leave her fenced-in haven to save her pal. When she ventures into the park, she finds Peep--and a host of canines racing around. The other dogs think that Dot's efforts to get Peep back are an invitation to play, and eventually, Dot decides that the running and chasing are kind of fun. But what if Peep gets taken again one day? Dot hurries home; the next day, she refuses to even leave the house, so her new friends come to her, and she learns that all of them have their own versions of comfort objects, which join Peep on the back endpapers. The illustrations, a mix of full-bleed spreads and vignettes, capture a dog's perspective perfectly. Though the situation that Dot faces is an overwhelming one--and one that will likely resonate with children also worried about making new friends--soft artwork depicting smiling doggy faces brimming with emotion will convince little ones that taking a risk is well worth it. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Just the thing to persuade even the most nervous of nellies to venture out of their comfort zones.--Kirkus Reviews -- Journal (8/1/2022 12:00:00 AM)

"""Just the thing to persuade even the most nervous of nellies to venture out of their comfort zones.""--Kirkus Reviews -- (8/1/2022 12:00:00 AM) ""McLaren's writing encourages children to try new things and step out of their comfort zones, reassuring that there might just be a fun adventure and new friends waiting.""--Children's Literature -- (12/29/2022 12:00:00 AM) ""This playful picture book may encourage even timid children to try something new before deciding that they don't like it.""--Booklist -- (9/15/2022 12:00:00 AM)"

Author Information

Meg McLaren graduated from the prestigious MA in Children's Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art. Printmaker, illustrator and unapologetic Hercule Poirot aficionado, she now lives in Inverness with her other half Jon and their impressive Lego collection. Meg McLaren graduated from the prestigious MA in Children's Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art. Printmaker, illustrator and unapologetic Hercule Poirot aficionado, she now lives in Inverness with her other half Jon and their impressive Lego collection.

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