Pantaloon

Kirkus Reviews

Salerno's lively and colorful new illustrations for a 1951 text (originally illustrated by Leonard Weisgard) show the adventures of Pantaloon, a standard poodle who "never can get enough of those delicious baked-and-iced things!" on display in the bakery. Pantaloon is a bike-riding canine with ambition: He answers the "Help Wanted" sign at the baker's but is rebuffed, so Pantaloon, alas, is jobless until the baker has an accident inadvertently caused by his would-be helper. The apologetic pup takes on the job and "mixe[s] the icing, ice[s] the cakes, load[s] everything in the Baker's truck and deliver[s] all the cakes and cookies in the nick of time." Success! Now the dog, as an official assistant, is one of "the two happiest bakers in the whole world." The story is still delicious, and the retro-styled art shows the funny actions and adventures in full openings. It should attract the delighted attention of young readers from its cake-and-cookie-decorated endpapers to the sunny-hued interior images that are so appropriately reminiscent of the old Golden Books. (Picture book. 2-5)

Children's Literature - Della A. Yannuzzi

Pantaloon is a charming poodle who loves cookies, cakes, and anything sweet. When a local baker needs a helper, Pantaloon applies for the job. "I'm a helper!" he says, eyeing all the pastries in the shop. The baker knows that Pantaloon will eat more pastries than he will sell, so he tells Pantaloon no. Pantaloon is sad, but he is determined to get the job. He disguises himself as an old lady who is a terrific cook. The baker is so behind in his baking that he says "yes," until he finds out the old lady is really Pantaloon, but Pantaloon is not giving up. He has another plan. When the baker falls over Pantaloon's bicycle, Pantaloon runs to him and says, "Don't worry about a thing!" Pantaloon gets to work by mixing batter, icing cakes, and delivering everything to the baker's customers. Everyone is happy to get their pastries and cakes delivered on time so they ask Pantaloon, "Are you the Baker's new helper?" "Maybe I am!" Pantaloon says. When the baker returns to work, the customers wonder why Pantaloon is not helping the baker. He wants to keep his customers happy, so the baker goes looking for Pantaloon. When he is nowhere in sight, the baker bakes a big cake that Pantaloon can smell from his bathtub, and he hurries to the baker's shop. In the window is the cake with words that say, "Please Pantaloon Come Back. "Here I am!" Pantaloon says. The baker is happy and so is Pantaloon. Together they become the happiest bakers in the whole world. The story of a baking dog and big, bright color illustrations will delight young readers. Reviewer: Della A. Yannuzzi

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2—This newly illustrated story (originally published by Golden Bks. in 1951) recounts the madcap efforts of a pastry-loving poodle to be hired at a local bakery. Pantaloon, zipping around the city on a shiny red bicycle and decked out in snazzy striped pants, answers a Help Wanted sign only to be rebuffed, even in clever disguise. But when Baker lands in bed, bruised and bumped from tripping over Pantaloon's misplaced bicycle, the remorseful pup swoops in to save the day by completing all the orders. Pantaloon is an overnight sensation with the customers, who clamor for his return. Baker pleads for Pantaloon to come back in letters on a giant cake in the store window, and they become "the two happiest bakers in the whole world." The final illustration, a coda to the text, bears a visual clue to Pantaloon's inevitable success. While the story line is slight and often contrived, the stylized, retro-looking full-color illustrations are snappy and appealing, and breathe new life into this classic for another generation. A worthy choice for storytime read-alouds.—Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT