The Great Big Scary Dog

From Publishers Weekly Although this Australian import seems intended to empower its audience, it offers poor--even contrary--advice. An older brother describes his little sister, Jen, who's terrified of a neighbor's big dog. The parents make suggestions (including the foolish recommendation that she "look the dog in the eye"), but Jen and her Asian friend, Diep, find inspiration in Diep's preparations for a New Year celebration. Masquerading as a roaring dragon, the children scheme to "scare the dog out of its wits." Although dressing up in a spooky costume and taunting a dog is more likely to provoke it than to win its friendship, the dog in this story is unfazed and even wants to play with the masked marauders. Greder's loose, sketchy watercolors are engaging, but the clever child's-eye view that graced Uncle David is absent. He places a disproportionate emphasis on the costume itself, so that the reader sees much more of the "dragon" than of the children. Ages 3-up. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal PreSchool-K-A quirky tale of a little girl's triumph over fear. An older brother describes his sister's fear of a neighborhood dog and his scheme to scare it into submission. Wearing a colorful Chinese Dragon costume, the boy, his friend, and his sister succeed in giving their families a fright, but not the dog. It wanders up to them, sniffs their feet, and promptly rolls over to be petted. The narrative voice is convincingly childlike, and Greder's pen-and-ink and acrylic illustrations have a simplicity that suits the text. Figures are flat, lacking dimension and detail, but emotions and actions are effectively conveyed. Young listeners will be reassured by the peaceful resolution, while older readers will be impressed by the children's creative efforts and amused by their unwitting success. Although Gleeson and Greder begin with a familiar premise, they have created an unusual and engaging book.