Review by Booklist Review
Archie is a dog who owns a dog (think Goofy/Pluto). When the handsome fellow acquires a sewing machine, Archie makes his white Highland terrier a coat. While out for a walk, he spies a woman (bulldog) walking her bulldog perhaps she would like a coat for her pet? Soon business is booming: dogs are being dressed, and then the bulldog woman asks for an outfit of her own. A lovely green suit is made, Archie and his friend begin stepping out, and a trip to Greece is in the works. On the last spread, a lady with a crown and a corgi rings Archie. The ending may fall flat for kids, who probably won't know that the lady is Queen Elizabeth. Still, this picture book (wordless, except for some sound effects, e.g., ring, ring) has a lot going for it. Smooth, buff-colored pages provide the background for the exceptionally well-executed ink-and-watercolor art in which the characters are always the focus. With little else to distract, one does notice that Archie sometimes looks different (it's the ears), but this mostly charms, both in style and offbeat substance.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Gordon, a Scottish artist whose uncannily lifelike felted dogs have attracted gallery showings and celebrity attention, makes her picture book debut with an all-dog cast and a story about creativity and growing fame. Archie, a well-dressed dog, receives a sewing machine as a gift. He takes to it immediately, creating smart outfits for his own pet dog, his friends' dogs, and his friends. His phone is ringing off the hook by book's end-the final call comes from a canine monarch with a crown, handbag, and pet corgi. Although Gordon is a newcomer to the form, her visual storytelling is already marvelously accomplished. Her line, pacing, and judicious use of empty space seem long-practiced, and her hand-lettered sound effects-the only text in the story-evoke smiles ("pom pom pom de pom," Archie hums casually as he takes his dog out in his new coat; "ohhh" says a pug on the street, aching with envy). Even without the success Archie finds, his life as a clothing designer living alone with his dog is a winning premise; it's a distinctively British pairing, somewhere between Jeeves and Wooster and Wallace and Gromit. Ages 3-6. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-This nearly wordless story with an all-canine cast is picture-reading at its best. When Archie receives a sewing machine from his Great Aunt Betty, he creates a simple garment for his dog. The simple coat garners a request from another owner. That, in turn, brings more requests. Before long the telephone is constantly ringing. Archie's designs are in demand. They become more elaborate, one-of-a-kind, carefully matched to the owner and dog. Business is so good that Archie begins thinking about a vacation. His planning is interrupted by yet one more phone call. Archie's fame has spread to Britain's most royal dog owner! The watercolor illustrations are outlined with pen and ink and set against clean white backgrounds that let Archie and his creations shine. Each dog, owner and pet, is individual, and there's no way to misidentify the Queen and her Corgi. These cartoon-style paintings read easily and are highlighted by onomatopoeic words. Dog lovers and fashionistas will be delighted.-Carolyn Janssen, Children's Learning Center of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH (c) Copyright 2012. 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 Kirkus Book Review
The clothes make the dog in this nearly wordless, tongue-in-cheek homage to fashion and the power of creativity. Felt artist and first-time author Gordon turns her talents to painting in this hilarious tale of dogs, fashion, the creative impulse and entrepreneurship. Big dog Archie, an Irish terrier or perhaps an Airedale, and his little cairn terrier live a quiet life until Aunt Betty sends a sewing machine in the mail. Soon, Archie's nimble paws create a fetching olive coat for his pup, and every dog in town wants an outfit for its pet. They even hire Archie to design matching dresses and coats for both owner-dogs and companion-dogs. Droll, black-outlined watercolors pop from the creamy, uncluttered pages. Archie's own dog plays the role of supporter, cheerleader, delivery boy and quality controller. Young readers will love following the fabric through manufacture to its eventual wearer, and Project Runway types will appreciate Archie's limitless energy and dedication to finding just the right outfit for each customer. Anglophiles in the know will recognize the final phone customer, a corgi wearing a crown with a pet corgi in need of a new outfit. What will happen if Aunt Betty sends another gift--say, a table saw? A tail-wagging delight for budding Coco Chanels everywhere. (Picture book. 3-8)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
