Horn Book (November/December, 2008)Mouse, Cow, Pig, and Duck are playing happily when their ball bounces into a rather menacing-looking doghouse. "Who will get it out?" The accompanying picture shows the animal friends along the bottom edge of the page, visible only from the nose up, all eyes looking sideways at Cow, who stares balefully ahead. Mouse elaborates: Cow is big, brave, and strong. "Moo?" wonders Cow. Into the doghouse Cow goes -- but doesn't come out. Next is Pig: smart, wise, and stinky. When Pig ("I am NOT stinky!") fails to come out, it's Duck's turn. "Duck is uh...well... NOISY," a fairly accurate description: scared senseless, Duck can't stop quacking. All alone now, Mouse asks timidly, "Can't you come out, Duck?" When a gruff-looking dog appears and says he's having Duck for dinner, Mouse assumes the worst, but the joke is on him. Thick black outlines, solid blocks of color, and easily read facial expressions will work well for story times. Allusions at the end to cake and turnips recall Thomas's earlier A Birthday for Cow!, which featured these four barnyard friends being just as silly. Read both books together, and you'll have preschoolers rolling in the aisles. Horn Book starred (January, 2009)Mouse, Cow, Pig, and Duck's ball bounces into a menacing-looking doghouse. "Who will get it out?" Mouse sends in Cow, then Pig, then Duck--none of whom returns. When a gruff-looking dog appears, Mouse assumes the worst. Thick black outlines, solid color blocks, and easily read facial expressions will work well for storytimes and have preschoolers rolling in the aisles.Kirkus Reviews starred (August 1, 2008)The third time continues the charm for Thomas's latest offering featuring her familiar animal buddies (A Birthday for Cow, 2008). When Cow's energetic kick sends the ball out of reach of Pig, Duck and Mouse, the toy lands in unknown terrority: the doghouse. Mouse cajoles each animal in turn to venture into the daunting canine quarters to reclaim the ball; much to Mouse's dismay, however, none of them returns. When Mouse timidly asks if Duck may leave the doghouse, he meets the house's toothy resident, who refuses to grant the rodent's request. Bold cartoon illustrations provide an inside glimpse into Dog's living space, the setting for a surprising reunion for these friends and their ball. The successful use of repetition, realized through succinct sentences (rendered in speech balloons) and solid colors, maintains the material's superb pacing. Slanted lines and masterful use of the frame capture the shifting moods and actions of the characters, perfectly placed on each page. Thomas's entertaining story and spirited illustrations kick this one right out of the park. (Picture book. 3-6)School Library Journal (October 1, 2008)PreS-K-The barnyard animals are playing with a red ball that accidentally rolls into the doghouse. Who's going to get it out? Mouse says Cow is big, brave, and strong, and must go first. Cow goes in but does not come out. Pig tries next, as Mouse deems him smart, wise, and stinky. Pig takes offense at the "stinky" designation, but proceeds into the doghouse. Pig does not return either. Duck, as the loudest, goes next-and disappears just like the others. The only one left outside, Mouse timidly calls out, "Can't you come out, Duck?"-upon which Dog appears in the doorway and says, "No! Because I am having duck for dinner." Mouse assumes the worst, but the last spread shows all the animals inside the dog's house sitting down to a meal. Mouse joins the party on the endpapers, just in time for dessert. The simple cartoon characters, scenery, and dialogue balloons are outlined in thick, bold lines. Colors are smooth and flat, with backgrounds done in bright blues, purple, and lime green. The pictures are large and distinct, and will work well with a group. The joke is an old one, but it's always new to kids just beginning to understand wordplay.-Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information. All agesAfter their ball goes into the doghouse, mouse, duck, piggy, and cow each venture into the scary doghouse, but no one comes back out. Mouse, the very last animal left outside the doghouse, is scared to go in the doghouse. Finally we he becomes brave enough he ventures inside to find that dog is serving them cake and that is why no one wants to come back out of the doghouse. This would be fun for an animals themed story time. The story also follows a familiar pattern so you could use it as the basis for a felt board game.
What do You think about The Doghouse (2008)?
Such a simple gag. The kids were scared, I was appalled, then we all had a great laugh.
—Jj2250
