Monday, 5 December 2016

Odd Dog Out

Odd Dog Out by Rob Biddulph (Harper Collins – GB) HB RRP $16.99        ISBN 9780007594153

Reviewed by Sharon McGuinness

From the opening pages of this delightful, slightly retro style picture book, Biddulph gives his reader an illustrative explosion of colour and pattern, the perfect accompaniment to his rhyming text featuring sausage dogs.

Pages of sausage dogs, all the same, yet one stands out, ‘dancing to a different beat’. This ‘odd dog out’ longs to be like the rest, acknowledges her difference and decides to leave her home in  search of a place where she ‘fits’.

Travelling far and wide, she does discover a place where all the dogs look like herself – all except for one. This dog, though, does not feel odd: she celebrates her difference. ‘Stand tall, be proud,’ she tells ‘odd dog’.

Realising there is nothing wrong with herself after all, ‘odd dog’ travels back home where she is greeted warmly by the other dogs, as they have missed her. Looking closely at the dogs, many more are now behaving a little differently, now able to appreciate their differences, even celebrate them.

Biddulph’s final words, ‘So blaze a trail, be who you are’ will resonate with readers, regardless of age.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable read that’s suitable for ages 3 years and up.





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