02/17/2020

There’s a classic Onion headline, “Dog Experiences Best Day of His Life for 400th Consecutive Day.” One such dog is certainly Roy, a sturdy, uninhibited white pooch with black patches, pointy ears, and a gleam in his tiny eyes. Roy’s raison d’être is dirt: “Roy digs dirt.... Roy eats dirt, sniffs dirt, watches dirt, and listens to dirt,” writes Shannon (Mr. Nogginbody Gets a Hammer). The filthy hound dominates every page, wallowing in mud (“dirt gravy”), creeping through a deliciously loamy “jungle” (the garden), and defending his turf (“GET AWAY FROM MY DIRT!”). The book doesn’t hinge on any big plot point or obstacle—the biggest drama is the bath Roy has to have after encountering a skunk (baths, after all, “are the opposite of dirt”). But what this book offers is a real gift: the chance to spend time with an outsize personality whose happiness is pure, all encompassing, and seemingly without end—so long as the dirt holds out. Ages 3–5. (Apr.)

* "The artist's familiar blotchy line and thick opaque paints capture Roy's carefree glee... Roy's raucous absurdity will appeal to beginning readers as well as delighting a storytime crowd." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred reviewPraise for No, David!:A Caldecott Honor BookA New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year* "In this ode to bad and boisterous little boys... this book is perfect for reading aloud. Children will relish the deliciously bad behavior and the warm and cuddly conclusion." — School Library Journal, starred review"The illustrations are wonderful, full of good-time trouble-making tomfoolery, borrowing on the energy of children's drawings and the determined strokes of their early attempts at lettering. David is a small, snaggle-toothed piehead whose mischief-for those who don't have to clean up after him-is nothing short of exhilarating." — Kirkus Reviews"Readers won't be able to resist taking a walk on the wild side with this little rascal, and may only secretly acknowledge how much of him they recognize in themselves." — Publishers WeeklyPraise for Grow Up, David!:"The illustrations capture both the emotional intensity of David's roller-coaster world and, in hilarious close-up tableaux, a series of brotherly tussles, pranks, domestic disasters, and goofy bids for attention... Nice to see you again, David!" — Kirkus ReviewsPraise for Good Boy, Fergus!:* "Shannon's mixed-media illustrations, in the style of his David books, crackle with personality. Fergus's expressions and poses will be both funny and familiar to dog lovers, and the predominantly close-up perspective offers an immediacy that makes readers feel included in every second of the tail-wagging action. Paws down, Fergus is one memorable pooch." — Publishers Weekly, starred reviewPraise for Duck on a Bike:"Shannon serves up a sunny blend of humor and action in this delightful tale of a Duck who spies a red bicycle one day and gets 'a wild idea.'... Add to all this the abundant opportunity for youngsters to chime in with barnyard responses ('M-o-o-o'; 'Cluck! Cluck!'), and the result is one swell read-aloud, packed with freewheeling fun." — Publishers WeeklyPraise for A Bad Case of Stripes:"The pictures are probably enough to attract young browsers, and the book's irony and wealth of detail may even interest readers in higher grades." — Booklist"This very funny tale speaks to the challenge many kids face in choosing to act independently." — School Library Journal

02/01/2020

PreS-Gr 1—Roy is a little spotted dog. And he is a dog that digs dirt. He digs in it all day long. He loves to sit in dirt and roll in it. Dirt makes him happy and extremely dirty. Roy eats, sniffs, and even listens to it. He creates imaginary friends out of dirt and hunts for buried treasure in it. Roy really digs dirt. The only thing he doesn't like about dirt is getting clean—and ants! When there is no dirt around, there's usually trouble. Roy becomes mad and agitated. He tears the newspaper apart and rips the carpet. Then he scratches the door to get back to the dirt. Roy really cares about his dirt, too. He protects it against nighttime critters and dreams about it in his sleep. To Roy, there's nothing better than dirt. Shannon pens another zany, kid-friendly tale. Children will love the Roy's antics with his favorite thing…dirt. The text is simple and large, and the pictures do a good job telling the story. This is a light and breezy feel-good book that's perfect for storytime. VERDICT David Shannon fans—old and new—will enjoy this delightfully dirty book.—Barbara Spiri, Southborough Library, MA

2019-10-27
Roy the dog seriously digs dirt.

Who can blame him? Sitting, rolling around, and lying in dirt make him happy because dirt is so deliciously…well, dirty, and Roy loves being dirty. Eating, sniffing, watching, and listening to dirt are fantastic. Roy likes burying and unearthing cool, fun stuff in dirt, including some crawly critters and an imaginary friend, likewise named Roy. Surprisingly, there are things Roy doesn't dig about dirt, though: ants and mud. You see, rain makes mud, or "dirt gravy." Mud by itself is terrific; unfortunately, mud plus Roy equals very dreaded baths. Roy. Doesn't. Dig. Baths. What does Roy dig when there's no dirt around? Rugs, blankets, and newspapers suffice until he enters the jungle that is the backyard. Sadly, encounters with smelly trespassers could occur there, and—yep—baths might ensue! Still, all is well for Roy as he awakens each morning to a day filled with new dirty adventures. This is a rollicking story that will especially resonate with readers who are unapologetically messy. They'll revel in the delights of wallowing in grunge and may themselves sympathize with a bath-averse protagonist. Shannon's illustrations are comically energetic, and Roy's expressions are hilariously wild-eyed, tongue-lolling, and frenzied. Roy's white coat helps keep the focus on dirty patches.

Here's the dirt on this one: Kids will dig it. (Picture book. 3-6)