Only my dog knows I pick my nose

PreS-K--Unconditional love in this tale comes in the form of a boy's dog. As his adoring family (mother, father, little sister, cat, and dog) looks on, the unnamed boy tells us, "I always do everything just right. Anyone can see that." He then covers all the ways he is a good boy including how he cleans his plate, is a great big brother, is brave and helpful, always shares, and, of course, never splashes in the tub. Then he gets real and he tells us the rest of the story: "But only my dog knows that." Some of the things the dog knows include that his boy feeds him his broccoli, doesn't share ALL his toys or follow every rule, looks for monsters under the bed, can dream big and burp loud, and only splashes in the tub when T. rex wants to. Despite or maybe because of this, "My dog knows everything about me, and loves me all the time." The first-person narration gets to the heart of every child--not all good, not all bad, but always complex and human. Mezoff's lighthearted, watercolors perfectly capture the boy, who has tan skin, as well his relationship with his dog with just the right amount of detail. VERDICT A sweet story about a boy and the dog who knows all his secrets.--Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Lib., Troy, NH

A young boy appears to be a picture of perfect behavior. He says he always follows rules, is an exemplary big brother, willingly shares his toys, and overall "do[es] everything just right." But he gleefully admits to mischievous transgressions when he is alone with his dog. He neglects to brush his teeth, zooms through the house on his skateboard, and splashes in the tub. What's more, he hides his smelly socks and deliberately wakes his sister from her nap. His dog witnesses it all and is his sole trusted confidant. This dog knows that the boy looks for monsters under the bed (and helps to keep those monsters away) and is always up for a hug. And when the boy picks his nose? No judgment. Tarshis presents the boy's confessions of his secret behaviors with lots of humor, and, like the wonderful dog, there's no reprimand or condemnation. A funny, delightful cartoon vignette with boy's and dog's expressions and body language in perfect symmetry accompanies each episode. Endpaper illustrations further contrast perfection with reality. The boy and his family present White. The title alone will catch the interest of young readers, who will perhaps recognize themselves in the hijinks and add their own confessions. Is the dog really the only witness; are the boy's parents clueless? Look carefully. It's about unconditional love and acceptance. Enjoy. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.