Paolo, Emperor of Rome
by Mac Barnett (Author) Claire Keane (Illustrator)
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A canine escapee gets his own Roman holiday.
Paolo, a dachshund, would rather explore the streets of Rome than lie around inside his hair-salon home. Every time he dares to make an escape out the door, his owner, Signora Pianostrada, blocks her “Lazy Paolo” with her foot. But one day, Signora Pianostrada starts putting curlers in a client’s hair before remembering to close the door, and off Paolo goes. The pup’s newfound freedom takes him all over Rome—for, as he says, unlike the statues he sees, “I am made of muscles, and can go wherever I please.” He stares down cats in a field full of ruins. He becomes leader of a pack of dogs. He even tries his hand at heroics. Above all else, he conquers the city, proving that he’s more imperial than lazy. Barnett’s theatrical narrator works in tandem with the hilariously pompous pooch to carry this rib-tickling romp with infectious bravado. Keane’s illustrations feature thick black outlines and an earthy, Mediterranean color palette applied with the look of oil pastels. The beautifully textured architecture and action sequences harken back to classic picture-book artists like Ludwig Bemelmans, Dr. Seuss, and H.A. Rey. A pair of wordless spreads even gives the pup a wild rumpus. Though it’s mostly an animal story, the human characters are racially diverse. Endpapers depict a small map of Rome with Italian labels.
Molto bene! (Picture book. 4-8)Publishers Weekly
Paolo the dachshund is trapped in a hair salon on Rome's Via Torino, unable to see for himself the wonders he suspects lie beyond its glass door. But one lucky day, the door is left open, and what he finds is even better than he had dreamed. The classic architectural lines of the ancient city provide scope for imagination: "How beautiful to build such a towering marvel," he murmurs to himself as he surveys the Colosseum, "and how cruel to fill it with barbarism." True to his own high ideals, Paolo stands his ground against a cat, leads a pack of dogs, saves six nuns from certain death, and is nearly canonized by the Pope ("the cardinal shook his head") before giving up his cosseted existence at the Vatican and striking out into the city again. Keane (Why?) draws with a brash, bold line, capturing the contours of Rome's domes and bridges, and the flourish of Paolo's long tongue with equal grace. Barnett (Just Because) writes with the panache of Cyrano ("Truly," pronounces Paolo, "I am living my life") in this bighearted tale that champions honor for honor's sake. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)
Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 1--Life as a house pet bores Paolo, who knows he's destined for greatness, so the diminutive dachshund escapes to make his mark on Rome. There, he finds the Colosseum, the opera, temples, statues--and danger. Perils that would send lesser dogs scurrying don't faze Paolo, who stares down a cranky tabby and takes command over a pack of snarling curs. After diving into the Trevi Fountain to rescue six nuns from drowning, he becomes a hero. In thanks, the pope installs him in a lavish apartment, but Paolo's wild spirit can't be tamed, and soon he's off on more adventures. Keane constructs an elegant cityscape, her playful, thick linework adding whimsy, while Barnett narrates with poetic flair and a hilariously epic flavor ("I am Paolo, that escaped from his prison and is like the wolf come to life"). VERDICT In a single day, Paolo wins over the dogs of Rome, its people, and the pope; he'll just as easily endear himself to readers.--Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal
Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
"Bighearted tale that champions honor for honor's sake."— "Publishers Weekly"
JUV002070 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Dogs
JUV030050 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | Europe
Courage
Adventure and adventurers
Adventure stories
Italy
Rome (Italy)
Dachshunds
