Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The Weimeraner siblings from 2013's Flo & Wendell embark on a close-to-home camping trip, with Wegman again using photographs for the dogs' heads and loosely painting their bodies and clothing in gouache. Nowhere does the dogs' personalities shine more than in the planning stage: Flo's long packing list includes a tent, poles, a sleeping bag, and a flashlight, while Wendell's is just a picture of the tiny hatchet he's eager to use. Wegman's understated narration provides lots of dry humor as the dogs test their canoeing skills, survive a "bear" encounter, and end their adventure the best way possible, toasting marshmallows: "Wendell liked his incinerated." Ages 3-5. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Wegman, who has entertained viewers and readers for decades with his whimsical works featuring photographs and videos of Weimaraners in humorous poses, has penned another picture book, a follow-up to his adorable Flo & Wendell (Dial, 2013). Puppy Flo takes her younger brother, Wendell, on a camping trip. The two pitch a tent, go fishing, take a canoe ride, and encounter a bit of adventure before returning home. Wegman mixes photographs of the puppies' faces with gouache paintings to portray their bodies and surroundings, and their sweetly serious expressions will elicit smiles and laughter from adults and children alike. The smudgy illustrations, with visible strokes and bright colors, have an endearingly messy, childlike quality, from the dab of pink that represents the bow on Flo's head to the splotches of blue, pink, and yellow among the trees. The narrative is upbeat and enthusiastic, ending on a reassuring note, and there's enough excitement here to keep kids engaged-the canines' canoe approaching a waterfall, for example. The sophisticated sense of humor that Wegman is known for is on display, but it's entirely age appropriate ("They let all the fish go. All except for one small tuna from a can, which they ate for lunch."). Another fun outing with this pair of winsome Weimaraners.-Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal (c) Copyright 2014. 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 their second outing, Flo takes brother Wendell camping after he finds the family RV excursion disappointing. The siblings prepare for their neighborhood adventure with map, compass, backpacks, and tent. The dryly told story is primarily a vehicle for Wegman's illustrations. Here he works with gouache on photographs; the expressionless canine head shots atop painted bodies will appeal to Wegman devotees. (c) Copyright 2015. 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.
