  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 01/01/2017 The hand dangling a red leash in front of Percy—a small, excitable dog with a black patch over his eye—can only mean one thing: “Dog park? What ho!” Percy zips around the house until he tracks down his special ball and is ready to go: “Make way, world.” On the way, he is joined by three canine friends—Molly the poodle, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie the dachshund, and Fluffy the mastiff—each with a favored toy in tow. At the park, the dogs have a whale of a time streaking along fences, sniffing, digging holes, and peeing on trees. But then a rascally squirrel goads Percy and steals the pooch’s precious ball. Percy sends up a call to his friends, who leap into action and ensure this outing has a happy ending. This exuberant story is perfect for the preschool set, who will love the dogs’ antics and Percy’s peppy personality. The minimal text and energetic, digitally colored pencil illustrations, set against white backgrounds, will ensure that listeners’ attentions never stray. - Copyright 2017 Booklist. School Library Journal - 02/01/2017 PreS-Gr 1—Percy, the Dog of Destiny, is on his way to the dog park with his ball and friends Molly, Fluffy, and Oatmeal Raisin Cookie in tow. When they finally hit the park (sans leashes), they run along the fence, sniff everything in sight, dig holes, and pee on trees. Readers quickly learn the canines' personalities while watching them play with their favorite objects: Molly and her kerchief, Cookie and her Frisbee, large Fluffy and his bone, and Percy and HIS BALL. A refrain notes each time Percy's big and absurdly named friend does something differently (resting with feet up, sniffing flowers, communing with ducklings), but when a crafty, weasel-like squirrel distracts the group long enough to steal Percy's precious ball, it's Fluffy who unexpectedly manages to leave his bone long enough for a ball-saving leap. Simple art in pencil and digital paint with a variation of fonts creates an uncluttered flow for the action of the characters and opportunities for inference in a tale for those who love their four-legged canine friends. VERDICT A dog lovers' delight, best shared one-on-one or with a small group to pore over the expressive cartoons.—Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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