Australian author Lois Nicholls and illustrator Lara Nicholls, a mother-daughter team, celebrate lovable canines in rhyme in their picture book.Tarna, a Golden Retriever, pals around with her human friend until he realizes that the dog's gotten "quite smelly"- possibly from being in the paddock (a small enclosure for horses) past the pond. Kane, a Great Dane, is "Not a
pony
... that's
BALONEY!
" In nine rhyming poems with full water color paintings, the Nichollses introduce readers to a range of different dogs. The pups are of varied breeds, including apparent daisy-dog mutts and a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle (aka a groodle) as well as a more common Jack Russell terrier and a Beagle. They all have diverse personalities and expressions: French bulldog Philippe loves cafes and "bling"; Beagle Bonny is an adventurous traveler. Burt the Bulldog is built like a brick - "Dad says he looks like Uncle Mick!" The paintings are realistic and endearing, and each features a tiny bee for hidden-object searchers. The book's charming paintings will draw in animal lovers, and the poems' catchy, irregular rhythms will encourage recitation.