Dalmartian

February 12, 2024
This picture book romp by Cummins (Our Pool) opens in a suburban backyard with a team of interplanetary explorers who look—per the titular pun—startlingly like green-spotted dalmatians. When they take off in their spaceship, leaving one behind, pink-skinned human child Stephen treats the alien dog on his doorstep as any human guardian might, offering sleeping space on the floor and dog chow in a bowl. The bipedal-walking guest, however, refuses these indignities. He prefers sharing Stephen’s bed, turns up a nose at the dog food (though he welcomes bacon), and unclips the proffered leash and collar in disgust. The behavior of canines at the dog park, who relieve themselves in public, appalls him: “They made their business everybody’s business!” Stephen’s easy, open manner (he boasts about puking twice after riding the Tilt-A-Whirl), and willingness to meet his new friend halfway cement a deep bond that becomes a profound dilemma when the spaceship returns. Spontaneous-feeling ink and charcoal line drawings, digitally finished, give the spreads plenty of terrestrial humor as the pages suggest that the satisfaction of human companionship offers life as a dog on Earth ample rewards. Ages 4–8. Agent: Emily van Beek, Folio Jr./Folio Literary.

March 1, 2024
In space, no one can hear you howl. Deep in the dark of night, a spaceship lands in a suburban backyard, and three aliens, resembling green-spotted Dalmatians, collect samples of the local flora and fauna. Suddenly, in a scenario straight out of E.T., the visitors are interrupted in their work and accidentally end up leaving one of their own behind in their haste to flee. Fortunately, Stephen, the light-skinned boy residing in the home, is happy to invite his new guest in. As the two acclimate to each other, the guest must continually assert himself when Stephen tries to treat him like a regular dog. That means offering the guest slightly more delicious breakfasts (when the alien tries Stephen's bacon, his ears start to look like wavy green bacon, and his eyes water with joy), as well as figuring out sleeping arrangements and dog park etiquette. The first night, the alien's crewmates don't return, but the second night they do. Now the visitor must decide: Where exactly is "home"? Rendered in ink and charcoal and finished digitally, the illustrations feature a pup who resembles nothing so much as an early Snoopy. The gentle narrative is told in an offhand style that diminishes none of its emotional impact. This variation on the classic "boy and his dog" story is sure to be beloved by more than just pup lovers. A loving look at a friendship that spans the stars above. (Picture book. 3-6)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 1, 2024
The "dalmartians," depicted as canine-esque creatures with green spots who walk on hind legs, arrive in Stephen's backyard via spaceship one night. Upon being spotted by him, they make a rushed getaway, leaving one of their number behind. "Stephen invited the guest into his home. The guest graciously accepted." The clever narrative works together with humorous, detailed ink and charcoal illustrations to develop a comedy of manners. The two learn how to cohabitate, with Stephen happily making most of the concessions. The guest might look like a dog, but his sensibilities are all human. Bacon ranks superior to dog food, as do beds to the floor. The guest finds the sniffing and bathroom behavior of the park dogs appalling, and though he and Stephen are getting to know each other, he misses those who left him behind. The art skillfully conveys pace through lines and composition and emotion through color, with sharp contrasts between light and dark and background hues heightening the mood and the growing relationship between the characters. This buildup creates an especially poignant moment when that spaceship finally returns on a rescue mission and Stephen awakes to find his "guest," now pointedly referred to as "friend," gone. Far away in space, the dalmartian experiences this same sense of loss, and the two reunite to tie up this sharp and appealing friendship story, which also gives the pet angle a new and enjoyable twist. Julie Roach

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

May 1, 2024
Grades K-2 A spacecraft idles in a dark backyard as its alien inhabitants bag natural specimens for study, but when the back porch light flicks on, the visitors run, leaving one unfortunate explorer behind. A boy, Stephen, spots the alien and, as he resembles a green-tinged Dalmatian, invites the abandoned adventurer inside. The next morning, the surprisingly sophisticated guest declines dog food, and when the boy assumes that the visitor would enjoy a walk, he joins Stephen in an upright stroll. Another shock comes at the dog park, where the alien discovers sniffing rituals and public peeing. As the pair settles into a comfortable existence, the alien questions his place in the universe. The lighthearted story has a sly sense of humor and style, and it's a hoot to watch the boy and the alien navigate the complexities of a confounding new friendship. Playful ink-and-charcoal drawings capture confusion and contentment in a simple palette of greens, yellows, and grays and add heaps of humorous details. A terrific twist on pet procurement sure to have readers squinting at any canine companions.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2024
The "dalmartians," depicted as canine-esque creatures with green spots who walk on hind legs, arrive in Stephen's backyard via spaceship one night. Upon being spotted by him, they make a rushed getaway, leaving one of their number behind. "Stephen invited the guest into his home. The guest graciously accepted." The clever narrative works together with humorous, detailed ink and charcoal illustrations to develop a comedy of manners. The two learn how to cohabitate, with Stephen happily making most of the concessions. The guest might look like a dog, but his sensibilities are all human. Bacon ranks superior to dog food, as do beds to the floor. The guest finds the sniffing and bathroom behavior of the park dogs appalling, and though he and Stephen are getting to know each other, he misses those who left him behind. The art skillfully conveys pace through lines and composition and emotion through color, with sharp contrasts between light and dark and background hues heightening the mood and the growing relationship between the characters. This buildup creates an especially poignant moment when that spaceship finally returns on a rescue mission and Stephen awakes to find his "guest," now pointedly referred to as "friend," gone. Far away in space, the dalmartian experiences this same sense of loss, and the two reunite to tie up this sharp and appealing friendship story, which also gives the pet angle a new and enjoyable twist.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)