Wag!

•Author: Patrick McDonnell

•Illustrator:Patrick McDonnell

•Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

•Pub. Date : 2009 ISBN: 9780316045483

Setting: A pastel, cartoon world of cuteness!

Plot: If there was a picture to illustrate the meaning of “cute” in the dictionary, it might just be a picture of this book. Mooch, from the award-winning comic strip Mutts, contemplates what it is that makes his friend Earl’s tail wag. He contemplates many “simple pleasure” moments like eating and playing ball. The illustrations are just precious and after much consternation, the secret of the tail wag is uncovered. You will have to read the book to discover the answer on your own!

Illustrations/Writing Style: Cartoon-style adorable animals expand the gist of the popular comic strip, Mutts, into a picture book format giving the author/artist more artistic latitude. The writing style is brief and as cute as the illustrations.

Theme: What is it that makes Earl’s tale wag? Filled with the little things in life that make all the difference.

Characterizations: Earl (a white dog) and Mooch (a black cat) represent differences that could be interpreted as differences in skin color, species, sexual or political differences, or any other contrasts in society.

Personal Response: Sharing this book with preschoolers is so much fun. Humor becomes a big part of the book and the performance of the book. Something as simple as Mooch’s funny way of saying “yesh” when he means “yes” can set the kids roaring with laughter. I’m always trying to teach the kids to raise their hand when they want to say something in storytime and hand raising is a big, dramatic part of this book, so I loved hamming that part up. The ending creates a feel good moment that leaves the kids and their parents all happy inside.