Children's Picture Books

Woof: A Love Story

By: Sarah Weeks
Illustrated by: Holly Berry
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: November 2009
ISBN: 978-0060250072
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: January 14, 2010

Dogs and cats aren't necessarily crazy about each other because "A dog is a dog and a cat is a cat, And most of the time it's as simple as that." Dogs like to sniff in the air, run, pant, sniff, growl and, best of all, like to roll around on the ground if they aren't digging in it. Pee-yew, pew-yew, but that is what dogs are all about. Cats are a little more dainty and certainly aren't attracted to dogs in the least, but one day something unusual happened. The dog, whose eyes became wide with wonder, could smell a dainty white green-eyed cat.

"She was white from her tail to the tip of her nose,
Which was tiny and pink as a cake-frosting rose.
His heart began thumping so hard in his chest,
He though lying down for a while might be the best."

The cat became alarmed because the hound dog looked ferocious with those mighty fangs. Falling in love with a dog was the last thing on her mind and she ran to the safety of some high up tree branches. The dog's heart was pounding and when he jumped and barked his "I love you!" to the lovely white cat she didn't quite hear it that way. "Woof, woof, woof, woof!" What could he do to convince that gorgeous cat that she was the cat's meow?

This comical tale of hound dog love will delight the little ones and give them a case of the giggles. This story was scintillatingly silly, but quite charming and the artwork caught the antics of a hound dog perfectly with the rocking and rolling around that no one but another dog could appreciate. As a story in rhyme it didn't miss a beat and with an animated reading it would be hilarious.

Quill says: Woof: A Love Story is a perfect tale for circle or story time!