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Synopsis
Carl and Madeleine are supposed to be napping while Mom and Dad get the summer cabin ready for company, but this lovable canine and his charge have better things to do. They escape from the hammock to do some canoeing, pick blackberries, and enjoy a picnic. Carl even plays a little baseball! That night, Mom and Dad wonder why the two are so tired – little do they know that Carl and Madeleine have been busy exploring all that a summer vacation on the lake has to offer.
Told mainly through Alexandra Day’s gorgeous oil paintings, this summertime romp will make readers long to bring Carl along on their own vacations!
Children's Literature
Carl, the rambunctious Rottweiler, who is featured in each book of the "Carl" series, is back in doggy action, exploring the sunny outdoors with his favorite playmate, Madeline, the young daughter of his owners. Very little text is featured throughout the book, placing the focus primarily on the beautiful watercolor illustrations that tell the story in a whimsical, old-fashioned way, which makes the reader wistful for childhood summers. Carl and his human buddy Madeline spend their day paddling in a canoe, swimming in the lake, blackberry picking, playing on the playground, and joining in a game of sandlot baseball before returning home, too tired to even watch the nighttime fireworks. Though leaving a young child in the care of a hundred pound Rottweiler is not my idea of model parental care, Carl does a good job of keeping Madeline safe. Each brightly colored illustration captures the expression of both child and dog, from dawn's excitement to dusk's exhaustion. The pictures have many details that can be discussed, enhancing the interaction between child and reader, which makes this book a joy for all ages. Reviewer: Carly Reagan