TITLE: Good Dog, McTavish
Chapter book by Meg Rosoff, illustrated by Grace Eason (Candlewick Press, U.S. edition), 104 pages, $15.99
STORY: At first Pa Peachey and two of his three kids barely notice that Ma Peachey has resigned from motherhood to pursue a serene new life in yoga. They order pizza and go on squabbling amid their own squalor. But 8-year-old Betty is alarmed.
Betty proposes they ask Ma to come back, but they don't miss being nagged. So Betty, arguing that she feels lost and lacking in love, talks them into adopting a dog. The agency is wisely reluctant, but agrees because Betty displays uncommon common sense and will stay in touch.
McTavish is quite a lot Scottish terrier, a bit Jack Russell, a touch poodle, a trace Tibetan spaniel and just a dash Bichon frise. He's also a cup and a half more calculating than any normal dog. But meeting his normal-doggy needs regulates and unites the family. It helps that he eats any shoe not stowed properly.
The publisher suggests McTavish for grades two to five or ages 7 to 10. That feels right. But the charmingly wry dialogue, outlandish characters and recognizably exasperated mother make it a hoot to read aloud. So tack on ages 22-63. Sixty-four if the reader isn't allergic to anthropomorphism.
Read to Me is a weekly review of short books.
Style on 04/08/2019