I DIDN'T DO IT

The mother-and-daughter team MacLachlan & Charest and able artist Schneider present another charming volume of verses showing the thoughts of puppies of many breeds (Once I Ate a Pie, 2006). From the true-to-life portrait of an animated, very dachshund-ish dachshund on the dust jacket (accurate down to the tail and appealing eyes) to the rueful beagle on the colophon, these pups all express their takes on the world they share with humans. The verses are short, and the authors seem to understand canines and their likes, dislikes and self-discipline (or the lack thereof). Humor abounds, as do the activities, all illustrated in lively, textured oil paintings that make breeds clearly recognizable. From the flying ears of jumping dogs and the somewhat guilty "I didn't do it" look of a puppy surrounded by chewed-up rubble, the illustrator gives readers a series of winning portraits. If dogs could talk (and of course they do), they would say what this team has translated for us, the two-foots in the world of the four-foots: Even if I did do it, you love me anyway. (Picture book/poetry. 4-8)