Such a Good Boy

November 4, 2019
Pairing a deadpan narrative with analogously wry, spare tempera and pastel art, this story introduces Buzz, a pampered pooch who “pretty much has it all.” But Buzz sometimes feels pressured “to keep up the family name,” a duty underscored by a wall showcasing portraits of his ancestors, all stylishly coiffed—and all named Buzz. Outdoors, the immaculate white dog is kept on an exceptionally short leash, held by his unseen owner who repeatedly barks “No!” at any sort of houndlike behavior. Tethered even at the dog park, along with a passel of dour doggies, Buzz breaks protocol to roll gleefully in a puddle, and is taken straight to the pet groomer. He escapes out the groomer’s back door, inspired by a freewheeling pink bird who accompanies him as he takes full advantage of his freedom, exploring, digging holes, and getting delightfully, doggedly dirty. Coppo (Petra) brings her droll story to an open-ended finale: viewing flyers offering a reward for his return, Buzz fears his unleashed spree “wouldn’t last,” but a final page shows Buzz, now filthy, and asks a leading question: “Or will it?” Ages 5–8.

November 15, 2019
A pampered, purebred pooch escapes from his owners and enjoys a taste of off-leash freedom. Little Buzz has fluffy, snow-white fur and an aloof expression. The brief text describes his highly controlled life in an elegant mansion with his owners, who are heard issuing curt commands but never seen. Buzz is taken on walks but isn't allowed to interact with other animals, sniff at interesting items on the ground, or romp with other dogs at the park. With the encouragement of a friendly bird, Buzz escapes from a groomer's shop and proceeds to enjoy some unsupervised independence. Bright illustrations in tempera and pastels use a flattened perspective that reflects Buzz's constrained emotional life. The little dog has a resigned expression throughout until he finds freedom, and only then does a tiny smile show on his face. An ambiguous ending shows muddy Buzz rolling in the grass outside his house, smiling with his bird friend. He's unsure if he wants to return to his previous life, and there's a new complication--a white cat staring out the window. This unusual, open-ended conclusion requires readers to interpret Buzz's situation and consider different ways the story might continue. Some young readers with beloved pets of their own might find it hard to understand why Buzz wouldn't want to go back to a warm house with plenty of food and his own special bed, prompting conversations. An unusual, thoughtful tale exploring the canine call of the wild. (Picture book. 3-7)

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December 1, 2019

PreS-Gr 2-Buzz the dog is a good boy. He lives in a big house and has a nice life. But Buzz is lonely, and sometimes he wants to play with sticks, mark some territory, or even roll in a puddle. Buzz isn't supposed to do any of those things; he has to uphold the family legacy (he is Buzz VI after all). One day Buzz is tired of being such a good boy, and a roll in a puddle leads him to the Good Boy doggy salon. When an opportunity to break free presents itself, Buzz escapes- and is able to let loose and be a not-so-good boy. Coppo's detailed illustrations are marvelous, colorful, and engaging. There are tiny elements to enjoy on each page, including arrows to identify the path of Buzz's daily walk, or the various dogs playing in the dog park. But Buzz's escape-and freedom-are a bit startling. Buzz's enjoyment of being a free dog coincides with Lost Dog posters plastered everywhere, letting readers know that even though Buzz is stifled by his owner's rules, they do love him and miss him (though it doesn't seem like he misses them much at all). Overall, this is an enjoyable and readable picture book. Sensitive readers might ask a lot of questions about Buzz, so it could spark lots of conversation. VERDICT A fun and lively additional purchase for most libraries.-Shana Shea, Windsor Public Library, CT

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from December 1, 2019
Preschool-G *Starred Review* Buzz is a canine in crisis. Coming from a distinguished line of show dogs, puffy and snow-white Buzz (a bichon frise, perhaps?) is starting to chafe under the pressure of his perfect life. He's a good boy, sure, but what he really wants is freedom from his leash, to join the purportedly wild dogs on the other side of the park fence, where they dig, roll, and run amok. Following his animal urges always results in a firm No! from his owner (through speech bubbles dipping in from off the page), until, finally, Buzz rebels. Frolicking in a puddle lands him a visit to the dog groomer, but a door left ajar offers freedom?finally! But will it last? With Buzz, Coppo returns to the winning character design that made the star of her previous Petra (2018) so adorable: tiny features at the center of a bulbous head. The simpler strokes of her colorful tempera-and-pastel illustrations allow the most important details to stand out?namely, Buzz's sweet little face?but this book is more than just cute and funny. It's relatable, presenting a thoughtful, existential story that raises questions about what makes dogs happy. Kids will be delighted, inspired, and challenged. Pair with Jean Reidy's Truman (2019) for a heart-melting look inside the life of pets.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)