🌟REVIEW: "Hot Dog, Cold Dog" by Frann Preston Gannon (Childrens Fiction)

	Hot Dog, Cold Dog by Frann Preston Gannon Publisher: POW Publishing Genre: Childrens Fiction, Picture Book Publication Date: April 29th, 2014 (Affiliate links)
Description from Publisher: From award-winning author/illustrator Frann Preston Gannon comes this celebration of wiener dogs (dachshunds) in all their variety--perfect for dog-lovers of every age! Simple rhyming text and boldly graphic, funny illustrations show off the comically lovable proportions of the dachshund, with its short legs and long body, spirited nature, and cheerful temperament. Author Frann Preston Gannon reveals a surprising variety of wiener dog looks and shows kids all the fun these little dogs have as they visit the beach, cavort in the snow, dig in the garden, jump to the ceiling, and even ride a skateboard--all the while giving a lesson in opposites. • Richly colored, textured illustrations with lots of elements and funny things for kids to spot, from "hidden" bones to muddy footprints • Rhyming text makes this a great read-aloud • Ends with a bedtime moment, very appealing to parents • Dachshunds are extremely popular; in fact, this breed is currently the 9th most popular in the US, according to the American Kennel Club
My Rating:
I found this randomly on Amazon while looking at some other kids books (Hello, my name is Sam, and I am addicted to books for both me AND my son. *waves*). I am a bigtime dog lover and this looked cute! It met and exceeded my expectations! The text are moderately simple examples of opposites, using dachshunds and some other animal friends. But it isn't just "Hot" - "Cold" for the majority. There is a "Hide and Go Seek Dog," for instance. The book has a good rhythm that has my son (3.5) "reading" along with me often. The words are also simple enough that I think this would make a good beginning reader book. My favorite thing about this is the illustrations - I think good art in a kids' picture book is incredibly important since most kids are being read to rather than reading themselves. :) The illustrations are colorful and really bring out the meaning of the words, like "Cold Dog" is in the snow, wearing a hat and scarf, with a mug of hot drink in front of him. Which brings me to something else I love: in almost every scene, there is a mug and a dog bone. Often, there is also at least one bunny, too. My son has loved finding the bone and "cup of tea" since he was about 2. I think his favorite is the page where the "tea" is knocked over and spilling. Overall, this is a seriously cute picture book with wonderful re-readability (also important since any parent is likely to be reading the same book over... and over... and over... and over).