Tootle

Joan Weller is head librarian at the West Branch of Ottawa Public
Library, and the children’s literature reviewer for the Ottawa
Citizen.

Tootle is like many dogs. His canine habits include rumpling rugs, tearing papers, knocking over plants, chasing cats, barking at strangers, and rearranging gardens, to name a few. Here all similarities cease. Tootle is a thinking dog who above all else wants to walk on two legs. In fact, all else pales beside his all-consuming wish until he learns from everyday dog experiences that four legs are better than two. In the end, his insecurities about being a four-legged creature are finally overcome by a young child’s admission of love for him as he is. The story sparkles with humour as Tootle takes on a personality of his own. The story’s mood, fast-paced action, and unique characterization of the dog are marvelously captured in strong, black-and-white line drawings by the well-known and popular editorial cartoonist for the Montreal Gazette, Aislin, the pen name of Terry Mosher. His cross-hatched drawings of Tootle in all his mischevious adventures capture the dogs changing expressions as he moves from the insecure to the secure. The book’s overall design, with the text in quite large, black type, well placed on each page, adds to the book’s total effect. Here is a unique picture book that moves the reader on to the quintessential, satisfying ending, to be enjoyed by all ages.