Walkies: A Dog's Tale by Estrela Lourenço (review)

Reviewed by: Walkies: A Dog's Tale by Estrela Lourenço Kate Quealy-Gainer, Editor Lourenço, Estrela Walkies: A Dog's Tale; written and illus. by Estrela Lourenço. Page Street, 2024 40p Trade ed. ISBN 9781645678717 18. 99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 4-7 yrs It's been a long dreary day, so when Kid gets home from school, video gaming looks far more appealing than dog walking. Dog, however, is persistent, tangling up headphones and computer cords, and nearly knocking down the monitor, so eventually Kid gives in, grabs some rain gear, and reluctantly heads outside. Dog is thrilled, but our human protagonist is anything but happy. . . until a red blossom floats along with the raindrops and carries Kid's gaze up, where treetops are teeming with joyful life, squirrels bustling along and birds hopping among the branches. Things are actually pretty cool down on the ground too, with puddles and piles of leaves to be played in, and a gorgeous hilltop view to see. When Kid and canine return home for dinner, an evening of gaming now seems to pale in End Page 287 comparison to a real-life adventure, and Dog and Kid now take Mom into a night filled with stars, fireflies, and moonlit fun. The wordless format and goofy, stylized figures allow the story to stay this side of a Luddite lecture, with the visuals focused more on observation than message, exuding a sense of wonder rather than finger-wagging. The digital art saturates pages edge to edge, with small stories (a squirrel tracking a nut, a family throwing a frisbee on the beach) unfolding throughout. Scenes that home in on Kid's varying expressions balance against expansive views of forested landscapes and city skylines, which are both wondrous and inviting. Body language is put to particularly good use here, with the floppy ears, lolling tongue, and wagging tail noting Dog's consistently bubbly mood, while an oversized head provides Kid with ample space for his emotions to play out across snub nose, dotted eyes, and blushing cheeks. Hand this to children when the rain comes in and the screens come out. Copyright © 2024 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois