ANNIE’S CHAIR
by Deborah Niland & illustrated by Deborah Niland
A battle of wills reaches epic proportions when a determined tot and an intransigent pup have a standoff regarding a favored chair. In her household, Annie’s chair is sacrosanct and she alone is allowed to lounge upon its hallowed seat. Quite the despot when it comes to declaring her sovereign rights, Annie is enraged when she discovers the family dog reclining upon her throne. Niland deftly portrays a toddler’s megalomania when it comes to a special object, highlighting the humor in Annie’s tantrums. Benny the dog’s sang-froid is a perfect foil for Annie’s escalating furor. Toddlers—and their caregivers—will be driven to giggles over the pint-sized power struggle between the two. However, friendship saves the day when Annie bursts into tears from sheer frustration and receives a hearty dose of canine comfort. Niland’s brightly hued illustrations are as energetic as the tale. Bold graphic designs and contrasting patterns dominate, while her comic-style line drawings convey the full force of Annie’s imperial persona. Niland’s lighthearted tale carries a simple message about the art of sharing that toddlers are bound to enjoy. (Picture book. 3-5)