The Horn Book Guide

PICTURE BOOKS

Dodds, Dayle Ann

The Kettles Get New Clothes

32 pp. | Candlewick | September, 2002 | Trade ISBN 0-7636-1091-7 $$15.99

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jill McElmurry. The Kettles, a family of sensibly dressed dogs, find their favorite clothing shop has gone upscale. As sales-hound Monsieur Pip festoons them in paisley, stripes, and checks, the strait-laced dogs become increasingly dissatisfied. Only Baby perks up in the lively outfits, and style mavericks will cheer her self-expressive fashion statement. Rhythm and repetition are used to good effect; the retro-style illustrations give the story panache.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2003