Merci Mister Dash by Monica Kulling

Merci Mister Dash by Monica Kulling. Illustrated by Esperanca Melo (Canada) - (US)

Pages: 32
Ages: 3-7+
Finished: Mar. 19, 2011
First Published: Apr. 12, 2011
Publisher: Tundra Books
Genre: children, picture book, humour
Rating: 4/5


First sentence:

Mister Dash was unlike any hound in town.

Acquired: Received a review copy from Tundra Books.

Reason for Reading: I've read quite a number of the author's books, but they've been mostly her biographical works and I thought I'd take a look at what else she does.

Mister Dash is a darling! He is a very cultivated dog. He may be a mixture of this and that and certainly has no pedigree but that hasn't stopped him from honing his sense of a stylish wardrobe and manners fit for civilized company. The only problem is that the company he and his owner Madame Croissant get regularly is every Sunday, her granddaughter, who is more wild beast than civilized company. Mister Dash doesn't like Daphne and usually escapes before her arrival to spend the day reading the paper in the park but today Daphne arrives and grabs him before he's even had a chance. And so Mister Dash must spend the day in the clutches of a rambunctious little girl all day.

This is a cute story. First, there is a small opportunity to learn a bit about France and French; Madame Croissant owns a little boutique that sells all things French and there are a couple of French words in the story. Plus if the reader knows French they can explain why Madame calls Daphne her "little cabbage". But most of all the story gives plenty of opportunity to talk about manners and behaviour. Daphne is not a bad child, she is simply full of zest, yet she certainly takes all the energy out of poor Mr. Dash after one day. The story is funny too and this is really brought to life with the gorgeous illustrations by Ms. Melo. The look on Mr. Dash's face as he has to suffer the indignity of popcorn landing on his head is priceless. A story that will really appeal to dog lovers and owners of rambunctious little girls.