Reviews
Stein's role reversal is deliciously fun, and what makes it sing is the bulldog's confiding tone, and the way Stein telegraphs a range of emotions-exasperation, resignation, and pure joy-with a few bold lines. -Publishers Weekly (starred review) An independent dog teaches his human a few tricks in this amusing role reversal. ... Appealing pen, ink and watercolor illustrations, done in a primary pastel palette, convey the dog's sassy, ultimately warm personality. The artist's use of marker is reminiscent of a Chinese brush painting-where each stroke skillfully conveys an energy or intention about the character or setting. Fresh and lively, Stein infuses each spread with spontaneity. A charming person-as-pet story that will leave dog lovers chuckling. -Kirkus Reviews It's an oft-made joke: "Who is the person in this relationship and who is the pet?" Stein makes amusing, adorable hay from this idea is this tale of an independent doggie who doesn't need a person-well, not at first. ... Stein's pen, marker, and watercolor figures are endearingly slapdash and exude warmth; when the dog says, "I've grown attached to the little fella," the duo's affection for each other is palpable. A fitting celebration of opinionated pups everywhere. -Booklist, A sweet and funny role reversal… An ode to the transformative joy of companionship. -The New York Times Book Review Stein's role reversal is deliciously fun, and what makes it sing is the bulldog's confiding tone, and the way Stein telegraphs a range of emotions-exasperation, resignation, and pure joy-with a few bold lines. -Publishers Weekly (starred review) An independent dog teaches his human a few tricks in this amusing role reversal. ... Appealing pen, ink and watercolor illustrations, done in a primary pastel palette, convey the dog's sassy, ultimately warm personality. The artist's use of marker is reminiscent of a Chinese brush painting-where each stroke skillfully conveys an energy or intention about the character or setting. Fresh and lively, Stein infuses each spread with spontaneity. A charming person-as-pet story that will leave dog lovers chuckling. -Kirkus Reviews The popular viewpoint-reversal gag is particularly amusing here, with some excellent silliness in the dog's solitary habits ("When I look in the mirror, I lick my own face because I am so happy to see me") and some genuine and funny legitimacy in the dog's take on the situation. A fascinating illustrative note explains the artwork, including the fact that a marker was "hacked" to dispense India ink; the result is a particularly childlike iteration of Stein's familiar vigor, with big scrawled lines colored with cheerfully slapdash washes in sunny and verdant outdoor hues. The round-headed, gray-spotted pup is aggressively cute, with a bit of bulldoggish fang showing at times, while the human he adopts is a wonderfully hapless grownup man with a stuck-in-the-'70s vibe. ... An enjoyable and deftly crafted joke. -Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "Who is the person in this relationship and who is the pet?" Stein makes amusing, adorable hay from this idea is this tale of an independent doggie who doesn't need a person-well, not at first. ... Stein's pen, marker, and watercolor figures are endearingly slapdash and exude warmth; when the dog says, "I've grown attached to the little fella," the duo's affection for each other is palpable. A fitting celebration of opinionated pups everywhere. -Booklist Stein's gestural watercolors are the perfect foil for the droll text. As the story unfolds, young readers will begin to understand the humorous tension between what the text says and what the pictures show (and what they know to be true about dogs and their owners). When the dog complains about having to "clean up after them," one can imagine a child laughing at the scene of spilled ice cream. Dog-loving parents will be reading this one over and over-and will never tire of it. -The Horn Book I'm My Own Dog, by David Ezra Stein gives readers a comical peek into the life of man's best friend. Our protagonist is a self-reliant canine who fetches his own slippers and can give himself scratches, thankyouverymuch. But when a lonely human follows him home, the dog has no choice but to fetch a leash to lead the man around with. -Parents Magazine Tablet A witty role-reversal tale... When he's followed home by a wayward human, the precocious pet has to rethink his misgivings about people ("you always have to clean up after them") and discovers the joys of having a best bud. -FamilyFun Do kids (and adults) need another dog book? The answer, as any dog lover will tell you, is a resounding yes, especially when the book is created by the talented David Ezra Stein... I'm My Own Dog reminds us delightfully once again, dogs also make excellent best friends. -BookPage Online, Stein's role reversal is deliciously fun, and what makes it sing is the bulldog's confiding tone, and the way Stein telegraphs a range of emotions-exasperation, resignation, and pure joy-with a few bold lines. -Publishers Weekly (starred review) An independent dog teaches his human a few tricks in this amusing role reversal. ... Appealing pen, ink and watercolor illustrations, done in a primary pastel palette, convey the dog's sassy, ultimately warm personality. The artist's use of marker is reminiscent of a Chinese brush painting-where each stroke skillfully conveys an energy or intention about the character or setting. Fresh and lively, Stein infuses each spread with spontaneity. A charming person-as-pet story that will leave dog lovers chuckling. -Kirkus Reviews, A sweet and funny role reversal… An ode to the transformative joy of companionship. -The New York Times Book Review Stein's role reversal is deliciously fun, and what makes it sing is the bulldog's confiding tone, and the way Stein telegraphs a range of emotions-exasperation, resignation, and pure joy-with a few bold lines. -Publishers Weekly (starred review) An independent dog teaches his human a few tricks in this amusing role reversal. ... Appealing pen, ink and watercolor illustrations, done in a primary pastel palette, convey the dog's sassy, ultimately warm personality. The artist's use of marker is reminiscent of a Chinese brush painting-where each stroke skillfully conveys an energy or intention about the character or setting. Fresh and lively, Stein infuses each spread with spontaneity. A charming person-as-pet story that will leave dog lovers chuckling. -Kirkus Reviews The popular viewpoint-reversal gag is particularly amusing here, with some excellent silliness in the dog's solitary habits ("When I look in the mirror, I lick my own face because I am so happy to see me") and some genuine and funny legitimacy in the dog's take on the situation. A fascinating illustrative note explains the artwork, including the fact that a marker was "hacked" to dispense India ink; the result is a particularly childlike iteration of Stein's familiar vigor, with big scrawled lines colored with cheerfully slapdash washes in sunny and verdant outdoor hues. The round-headed, gray-spotted pup is aggressively cute, with a bit of bulldoggish fang showing at times, while the human he adopts is a wonderfully hapless grownup man with a stuck-in-the-'70s vibe. ... An enjoyable and deftly crafted joke. -Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "Who is the person in this relationship and who is the pet?" Stein makes amusing, adorable hay from this idea is this tale of an independent doggie who doesn't need a person-well, not at first. ... Stein's pen, marker, and watercolor figures are endearingly slapdash and exude warmth; when the dog says, "I've grown attached to the little fella," the duo's affection for each other is palpable. A fitting celebration of opinionated pups everywhere. -Booklist Stein's gestural watercolors are the perfect foil for the droll text. As the story unfolds, young readers will begin to understand the humorous tension between what the text says and what the pictures show (and what they know to be true about dogs and their owners). When the dog complains about having to "clean up after them," one can imagine a child laughing at the scene of spilled ice cream. Dog-loving parents will be reading this one over and over-and will never tire of it. -The Horn Book I'm My Own Dog, by David Ezra Stein gives readers a comical peek into the life of man's best friend. Our protagonist is a self-reliant canine who fetches his own slippers and can give himself scratches, thankyouverymuch. But when a lonely human follows him home, the dog has no choice but to fetch a leash to lead the man around with. -Parents Magazine Tablet Do kids (and adults) need another dog book? The answer, as any dog lover will tell you, is a resounding yes, especially when the book is created by the talented David Ezra Stein... I'm My Own Dog reminds us delightfully once again, dogs also make excellent best friends. -BookPage Online