Comedic canines a delight in ‘Olivia’ author’s new tale
“Two Dogs” by Ian Falconer, Michael Di Capua Books (Harper Collins)
Grass the hue of a lime-flavored lollipop lies like a carpet under a swing set and seesaw in the backyard of the home where two dachshunds, brothers Augie and Perry, live. This is the setting of “Two Dogs,” by writer and illustrator Ian Falconer.
Left alone during the day while their family is at work and school, the ultra-serious Augie and the funseeking Perry grow bored. They gaze longingly out of the dull gray sliding glass door into the Technicolor world outside. If only they could just open the lock. After Perry barks at the nob without any results, Augie devises a plan. Their escape method requires some cooperation and climbing, but it works. Soon they are rolling in the grass, teetertottering and diving into the pool. Guess which dog does a gigantic, lazy belly flop and which one does a jackknife straight dive that includes a tail-to-nose somersault.
When Perry notices a small hole in the ground created by a mouse or a mole, he comes up with his own plan, but Augie objects. “We can't dig up the lawn. We will get in trouble.” Despite this certainty, the temptation proves irresistible. Before too long, a crater exists. It might have gotten deeper, but Mother returns home.
“What happened. Who on earth dug that hole?”
“A squirrel. It was huge.”
“It was huge!” echoed Perry. “Huge with big fangs and giant claws and …”
“Enough Perry. Now you're just embarrassing yourself.”
It didn't matter really, because Mother never learned to speak Dog.
This new picture book features Falconer's trademark mix of sophisticated and silly humor, as this exchange about the hole highlights. In Falconer's world, playing piano concertos and playing fetch with a ball deserve equal consideration and time. The whole thing, including the illustrations, is definitely fun.
Falconer garnered fans around the world in 2000 after publishing “Olivia,” the story of a fashion-forward and indomitable porcine protagonist. She builds sandcastles that look like the Empire State Building and favors Edgar Degas over Jackson Pollock. She is an inveterate reader and an avoider of bedtime. Her adventures, which unfold in an eight-book series, have sold more than 9 million copies in 50 languages. To say that “Two Dogs” is a highly anticipated release just doesn't cover it. These comedic canines don't disappoint, and fans will surely want to see them again. Hope springs eternal, as Augie and Perry know so very well.