Review by Booklist Review
Ages 2^-7. Beloved from many previous escapades, Carl, the gentle rottweiler, and Madeline, the mischievous toddler, are sent to nap at the neighbors' while Mom prepares for the surprise birthday party. But the two buddies sneak back home through Carl's doggie door and watch undetected as Mom tidies and decorates the house. Of course, Carl and Madeline must add their own touches to the preparations, flavoring the punch, hiding and even undoing the carefully wrapped presents, and sampling the beautiful birthday cake, though Carl thoughtfully camouflages the gouge Madeline's hand makes in the frosting. As the guests arrive, Carl, with Madeline riding him bareback, gallops back to the neighbors' house, where the pair are found stretched out side by side, feigning sleep. Characteristically, Day uses brief text only at the beginning and at the end of the story, allowing her luxuriantly colored, expressively detailed paintings to convey the humor and joyful companionship of Carl and Madeline's latest adventure. --Ellen Mandel
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2This nearly wordless picture book continues the fantasy of the renowned Rottweiler and his wee ward. The lovable dog and his toddler mistress sneak back home from a neighbor's house, where Madeleine's mother is preparing a birthday party for Carl. From hidden vantage points they check on or assist with preparations for the festivities. The clandestine pair escape to their rightful place, taking a nap together just in time to put on party attire and return home to be greeted by guests yelling ``Surprise!'' Party scenes contrast brightly with everyday life in another winner for Carl's fans.Marsha McGrath, Clearwater Public Library, FL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In this board-book version of the popular story about Carl the dog, Carl and his charge sneak around during the preparations for Carl's surprise birthday party. Reduced in size, the art loses much of its effectiveness, and although preschoolers may be attracted to the dog, they will not follow the almost wordless story. From HORN BOOK 1997, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Carl, the smart Rottweiler, is five years old in this latest in the series of (almost) wordless books, in a new adventure with Madeleine, the little girl who is left in his charge. Dog and tyke are packed off to a neighbor's house while a surprise party is prepared; during naptime, the two sneak back into their house to sample the food and check out the presents, scurrying back just before the mother comes to get them. The youngster has a wonderful lark, but Carl covers her tracks so well that the adults are none the wiser. Some of the pictorial cues in this episode are more acute than those in the earlier stories; they may need explaining to children under six. (Picture book. 4+)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
