PLEASE DON’T TELL COOPER HE’S A DOG is the perfect picture book for children ages 2-8 and for their parents and grandparents. Very young children will enjoy the visual story told by Anna Mosca’s whimsical illustrations, and Michelle Lander Feinberg’s rhythmic, clever verses will enhance their listening skills. Older children will be challenged to expand their vocabularies with some of the more advanced words in the text and can learn about the concept of adopting pets from animal rescues along with the care, responsibility and attention animals require. This is also the perfect introduction to preparing a child for adding a pet to the home.
Cooper is a big, friendly and gentle fellow who was adopted from an animal shelter by a family of five siblings and their parents. When he first arrived at his new home, he needed to learn how to behave, but the family worked together to train him and showered him with love. He quickly became the sixth “child” and developed some very “human” characteristics. Soon he learned to indulge his preferences for these very human daily activities and entertainments. Being that he is a non-dog, Cooper sets off alone for a surprising (if imaginary) adventure abroad to some favorite European destinations, where he saw the sights and indulged in the cuisine. Eventually he realized that there is truly no place like home, and being with one’s family, and so he returned, where he was as welcome and cherished as ever.
Cooper’s European holiday also provides an opening for adults to acquaint young readers with geography, the customs of other countries, plus ways to travel, and the reasons for doing so. His destinations can be the source for discussion and question/answer sessions – providing more opportunities to foster children’s intellectual curiosity, learning and development.
All in all, PLEASE DON’T TELL COOPER HE’S A DOG is an outstanding book for children and its engaging, humorous text and illustrations are sure to capture their imaginations and entertain them at the same time. It is chock full of important life lessons, all gently and subtly presented with a light hand by Lander Feinberg, a long-time advocate for animals and for adopting shelter and rescue pets.
Children, parents and grandparents will be delighted with PLEASE DON’T TELL COOPER HE’S A DOG, a charming account of a rescue pet that features engaging, humorous text and lighthearted watercolor-style illustrations that combine to entertain and capture the imagination.
~Joan Kirschner for IndieReader