Synopsis
Dumpling is a dog of enormous enthusiasm, excellent obedience skills – and no sense of smell. She doesn’t care about flowers, garbage, or any of the other smelly things most dogs enjoy. As a result, Dumpling has no dog friends. With a useless nose, she can’t relate. Dumpling is lonely . . . until she and her people move to the country. And then the good dog has to choose between obedience and friendship – with a skunk!
Ridiculous, touching, and a little bit disgusting, Skunkdog, with its lively storytelling and comic pictures, will spark conversations and giggles.
Publishers Weekly
Although it doesn't sail to the heights of That New Animal, this newest dog-driven story from Jenkins and Pratt proves again that author and illustrator are brilliantly simpatico. Enthusiastic, obedient, talented and even bilingual, Dumpling is beloved by her humans. Unfortunately, her anteater-like nose is useless. And that means "no dog friends. None. Without a sense of smell, she couldn't relate." How Dumpling finally gains a friend (its identity is hinted at in the title), and holds onto her companion against all odds makes for a touching tribute both to the hunger for connection and to the vitality of the human-dog bond. Jenkins writes in a thoughtful, urbane tone that never feels forced; when she uses a word like "paroxysms," it's out of respect for her audience's intelligence, not to win points with winking irony. And while Dumpling may have a malfunctioning nose, Pratt makes everything else about her marvelously expressive. Whether she's dutifully sitting for a caress or springing for joy, Dumpling's eager eyes, vigilant ears and sausagelike physique are like a valentine to all things doggie. Ages 4-8. (May)
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