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Circle Dogs

In the big square house live two circle dogs. / See the dogs? See the dogs? See the circles? Shh.They're sleeping now." Soon enough the two curled-up dachshunds awaken and stretch, and we are treated to the sights and sounds of everyday life with two lively dogs, as seen from the perspective of a small child. Henkes is right on target wtih his wry observations, from the clinking of dog tags and clacking of toenails to the stomp, whoosh, grrrowl, of the midday mail. Yaccarino's flat, stylized illustrations are at once sophisticated and childlike as they combine abstraction with the familiar and comforting repetition of circles and squares. There's an old-fashioned feel to the book as a whole: Henkes's intimate, child-centered text rivals the best writing of Margaret Wise Brown, while Yaccarino's style is reminiscent of Esphyr Slobodkina's illustrations for Brown's classic, The Little Fireman (William Scott, 1938). Highly Commended, 1999, Charolotte Zolotow Award ©1999 Cooperative Children's Book Center

Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

Wisconsin author

Kevin Henkes grew up in Racine. He attended UW-Madison and lives in Madison.

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 2-4
Age Range: Babies/Toddlers (birth – 3) PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Format: Picture book
Subjects: Pets Shapes (Concept)

Publisher: Greenwillow
Publish Year: 1998
Pages: 32
ISBN: 0688154776

CCBC Location: Picture Book, Henkes

Circle Dogs