Buttons the beagle is perfectly happy sitting still on his porch. Nothing can move him: not sun, rain, snow, a ham sandwich—not even his favorite toy. While this is presented as a quirk rather than a problem, Buttons is compared to other beagles (known for being “a whirlwind of noise and activity”). When Buttons’s owner brings home Clover, another beagle, Buttons finds his voice and energy. They frolic through fields together, chasing rabbits and enjoying each other’s company.
THE DOG THAT DIDN’T BARK AT FIRST shows how friendship brings out the best in all of us. Buttons is not exactly portrayed as being sad before Clover’s arrival, but he’s clearly missing a zest for life that sparks once he has someone to share his world with. Author Florence M. Coleman expertly sets up the story for young readers by showing concrete examples of things beagles do—like howl at the moon, perk up their ears, and chase squirrels—that Buttons shows no interest in. By listing examples and asking if Buttons does that too (with the answer always being “NO!”), Coleman creates a fun call-and-response dynamic for read-alongs.
Much of the book is also well suited to burgeoning independent readers, with short words and sentences aided by colorful illustrations. A few longer sentences and words (like”forsythias”) may cause frustration, though, so younger readers may benefit from reading together with an adult who can support them or take over at times.
More care should have been taken to ensure accuracy and consistency in the illustrations. The art itself changes frequently throughout the book, with at least seven different sketch and digital styles. This inconsistency may be jarring for younger children who are following along with the visuals and rely on them to identify characters and places. Additionally, text labels within the illustrations have some errors: a label that should say “bushes” reads “busind,” a chapter header includes the placeholder “by [illustrator name]," and there is text within the illustrations that contradicts the text on the page, like putting a “maybe” instead of a “no.” Despite these issues across the book, many of the individual images do bolster the text.
The joyful conclusion features a poem and illustration of Clover and Buttons scampering outdoors. Overall, children who love animals and learning about dog breeds will enjoy THE DOG THAT DIDN’T BARK AT FIRST.
Florence M. Coleman's THE DOG THAT DIDN’T BARK AT FIRST is a sweet picture book about beagles and friendship that's perfect for call-and-response read-alouds. However, the incohesive illustrations may confuse younger readers who rely on visual cues to experience a story.
~Cameron Gillespie for IndieReader