Too Many Dogs (Maura Finn, illus Lucinda Gifford, Affirm)

Too Many Dogs is a charming and light-hearted picture book from the creative pairing behind Too Many Cats that explores what it means to be top dog. In their new collaboration, author Maura Finn (Birdsong by the Billabong) and illustrator Lucinda Gifford (The Wolves of Greycoat Hall) have turned their focus to the frustrations of a young pup, Percy, in a house full of cats who tend to blame their sole canine companion for every mishap and missing treat. Percy soon decides to hit the road, searching for more like-minded creatures who truly understand him. But after a few run-ins on his journey, he realises that perhaps the grass isn’t always greener at the dog park. Too Many Dogs is a playful and joyful rhyming story that will lead young readers aged 3–7 to both laugh out loud and sympathise with poor Percy and his plight to fit in. It’s a simple yet impactful story about trying to find your place in the world and realising that, at times, we are all guilty of taking things for granted. The illustrations offer small details and facial expressions for children to seek out and add to the hilarity and failures of Percy’s adventures away from home. This is a picture book for both cat and dog lovers alike!

Books+Publishing reviewer: Karys McEwen is a librarian, author, and the education advisor for the Melbourne Writers Festival. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

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