Wednesday, 1 March 2017

Our Dog Benji by Pete Carter and James Henderson (Children's, Picture book, 9/10E)

 February 2017, EK Books, 32 pages, Hardback, Review copy 

Summary from EK Books
We all know that dogs will eat anything. We also know that kids’ tastes generally aren’t so wide-ranging. While ice cream and pizza might be devoured in the blink of an eye, the dreaded ‘green stuff’ (vegetables to the adults) is often pushed to one side of the plate.

Author Pete Carter understands this phenomenon well, as he shows in the adventures of Benji. In delightful duotone illustrations and engaging text, we see how Benji’s willingness to eat anything — from daffodils to brussels sprouts, ice cream to avocados, sandwiches to bones — gradually inspires his child owner to be a little more adventurous at mealtimes. Although dogs and kids do have standards and it seems there’s one thing neither of them will touch!

Nayu's thoughts 
While I prefer more brightly coloured reads I was taken in by Benji's expression, so decided to read it. If you have a sensitive stomach you may wish to skip the 2nd double page spread ss it's not appetizing. I loved seeing all the weird and wonderful things Benji ate, apart from 1 food, as it captures a dog's appetite (anything & everything)

The almost exploding fridge made me laugh-my cat does that with her food bowl after my family feed her, in the vain hope I won't think she's been fed. I didn't quite get the theme of how Benji's diet helped the child eat more. There was no explanation, just a statement, and while it can be extrapolated that the child was happy to eat fruit and veg instead of bugs, I feel that a bit more of a transition is needed for the intended age group. 

Suggested read 
 

1 comment:

DMS said...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I hadn't heard of this one before. Sounds interesting. :)
~Jess