Carl Goes Shopping (Carl)

Carl the Rottweiler and the inquisitive baby are off and running again. In Good Dog Carl, this delightful duo confined its adventures to the house; here, mother displays more confidence in her "babysitter" by leaving the twosome by themselves in a busy department store while she goes in search of curtains. After a whirlwind inspection of the toy, millinery and book departments--baby is enthralled with a copy of Rottweilers I Have Known --Carl and his charge head for the electronics section where they try out the camcorders and manage to get themselves on all the TV screens. Famished after a romp through carpeting, they sample crackers and dog biscuits in the gourmet section. Spotting mother on her way to the "DOWN" escalator, the adventurers streak back to the carriage and innocently await her return. Animated tempera paintings convey the same endearing quality evidenced in Day's previous book; once again she presents a winning combination of hilarious and tender moments in this--practically--wordless charmer. Ages 3-up. (Nov.)

PreS-- In this sequel to Good Dog, Carl (Green Tiger, 1985), that mischievious rottweiler Carl is told to "take good care of baby" while the mother shops for curtains. Of course, a department store offers too much adventure for Carl and baby to stay in one place, so with baby riding "doggy back," the two start their playful journey through various departments--toys, electronics, home interiors, food, and pets--before Carl delivers baby back to her buggy moments before the unsuspecting mother's return. The idea of a dog and child enjoying an uninhibited romp through a department store certainly has child appeal; however, this almost wordless picture book has an adult perspective. Day's detailed, rich-toned paintings are well executed and tell the story, but the style is too sophisticated for very young children to appreciate. Grasping the illustrations' subtle humor depends on the ability to read and understand the store signs. Although seemingly an infant/toddler book, this one is more for Mom and Dad than Junior. --Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI

"In this engaging outing, Day supplies a self-reliant, thoughtful, and thoroughly entertaining canine. . .A largely wordless story with ample action and humor to sustain repeated enjoyment." —Starred, Booklist