Move Over, Rover!

Tell me how in the world I was supposed to pass up that sweet, furry face on the cover of "Move Over, Rover!"? I just couldn't do it! It drew me in ... I had to pick up the book and thumb through it.

Those covers ... they get me every time.

That's why I love school book fairs ... all those books just waiting to be noticed. I might have never known about this book, had I not walked by and seen that sweet mutt staring at me with those sad, chocolate brown eyes.

After quickly paging through it, I immediately knew it was a book our household would thoroughly enjoy! First of all ... it's a 2007 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award winner, given annually to the author and illustrator of the most distinguished contribution to beginning reader books. Not that all books boasting awards are good ... but, this one definitely holds up to its end of the deal.

Secondly, it's a completely different style of children's book writing than mine, so I was intrigued and wanted to analyze it a bit further!

Third, it's got immediate appeal for children in that the story is told using super-catchy repetition and rhyme. At the beginning, Rover's a little bummed that he's all alone ... no one to play with. But ... it starts to rain. Rover takes cover in his cozy, warm doghouse. Soon, however, he's joined by a plethora of friends attempting to take cover from the storm ... a cat, a raccoon, a squirrel, a blue jay, a snake, a mouse ... oh my ... it's getting tight! And ... what's .... that ... smell?! Of course, it has to be the skunk that clears out the place.

Finally, the watercolor pictures are perfectly warm and enchanting. Simply beautiful.

Author Karen Beaumont and Illustrator Jane Dyer have created a book where story and art perfectly complement one another.

If you're looking for a fun-to-read book to share with a child in the 3-7 age range ... this is a sure winner! Enjoy!