Love Tails

March 1, 2021
The many tails of dogs are celebrated in this ode to canine rear appendages. "Every dog has a tail. // Every tail has a tale to tell. / Or smell." So begins a tale of tails featuring dogs of varying breeds. Dachshunds, Dalmatians, pugs, and others are included as well as what appears to be mixed breeds. Sayegh describes these many tails with a focus on the unique qualities of each: "long," "short and sweet," "straight to the point," "new," "tried and true," and more. All the dogs portrayed are cheerful canines (with the adorable detail of heart-shaped noses); there is nary a drooping tail to be seen, making this a very happy book. The dogs are often shown smelling one another's bums, but this behavior is not explained. While it's not quite accurate to assert that every time a dog "wiggles and wags" its tail it means, "I love you!" dog lovers will probably be willing to forgive this stretching of the truth in favor of admiring the many dogs presented and, of course, their lovely tails. Sayegh's pups are gently stylized, and he incorporates patterns and textures into his collaged depictions. The Dalmatian's spots have the look of marbled endpapers, a corgi's brown fur looks like wood grain, and one poor pup's protective lampshade collar looks like faded white clapboards. All a-wag with charming tails. (Picture book. 2-4)

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