Good Boy

Reviews / Votes

* "This gem of a story by Ruzzier (Fox & Chick: The Party and Other Stories) stars a boy in a green T-shirt that doesn't quite meet his shorts. He has an exceedingly well-trained dog, and the comedy comes from the boy's increasingly improbable commands.... The sparse text, the tidiness with which Ruzzier works out his concept, and the endearing qualities of his two heroes make the book a small classic." * Publishers Weekly, starred review * * "Now this is how to train a dog! . . . One or two words per page and help from the illustrations make this an accessible easy reader. What, at first, appears to be a customary story of a boy and his dog turns out to be so much more-and so much more fun." * Booklist, starred review * * "Gently and sweetly, the dog morphs from pet to pal to parent figure as, finally safe at home, the obedient canine tucks the boy into bed and reads him a story. There's no alpha male here, just two genial, respectful, loving creatures. An original premise, a bare-bones text of thirty-two words, perfect picture-book pacing, and deliciously transparent watercolors combine for an emotional punch." * The Horn Book, starred review * * "Ruzzier's distinctive cartoon-style, ink and watercolor illustrations propel most of the story, offering plenty of visual interest and cues for pre-readers to decode the limited text. The boy, with his drooping socks, and his belly occasionally protruding from under his T-shirt, is realistically childlike and charming. A simple yet surprising friendship story, perfect for preschool audiences and for those just beginning to read. A first -purchase." * School Library Journal, Starred Review * "With lovely art that turns effortlessly surreal, that's all it takes to tell a clever, comical story of a truly mutual relationship." -- The New York Times Book Review "A little boy and his dog share experiences at home and out in the wider world, including a trip to another planet... Soft-focus watercolor-and-ink illustrations in subdued shades convey a dreamy atmosphere that makes the unfettered lives of this pair believable. The bond between the golden-haired duo is quietly conveyed with an imaginative charm that deepens on subsequent readings." * Kirkus *