Review by Booklist Review
Ted, an amiable dog, likes to keep up with what's happening. Though uninterested when his human family reads the newspaper or watches TV, he gathers news in his own way, taking a walk called "the Daily Sniff" and using his nose to find out what's happening around town. One day, when he goes outdoors for the Daily Sniff, a foul scent fills the air. Setting out to investigate, he discovers a skunk in the garage, looking for his younger siblings. Ted and his new friend search the town, round up the five little skunks, and take them home to their mother in the forest. The simply told story reads aloud smoothly, with a long pause needed on the broad double-page spread illustrating the town center, full of buildings, parks, a café, a fountain, and many small characters. Kids who enjoy seek-and-find books can help Ted and his new friend find the five little skunks, which are in plain sight, yet surprisingly challenging to spot. Colorful acrylic paintings brighten the pages of this appealing picture book.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-K--Ted the dog loves his "daily sniff"--a walk in which he sniffs all the latest news in town. One day, Ted can't go outside (he is pictured wearing a cone). He is sad to be pent up, but when he's finally able to return to his daily sniff, all he can smell is something stinky. After looking for the source of the smell, he finally finds it in a lost skunk. Ted helps the skunk locate his siblings, and the skunks are able to return home, leaving Ted to sniff the news once again. The illustrations are colorful and engaging, though more muted than Cabrera's previous works. Children reading one-on-one will enjoy poring over a spread to find the hidden skunks. Some details don't entirely make sense, such as when the mother tries to cheer up the dog by putting the cone on her own head and playing a game as Ted jumps around playfully (isn't he injured?). Elsewhere, Cabrera notes that the daily sniff brings both "local news" and "news from far away," with a picture of a poodle in front of the Eiffel Tower. Is the implication that a dog can sniff all the way to Paris? VERDICT This sweet but simple story is a secondary purchase.--Lindsay Loup
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Daily doggy news in just one sniff! "Ted was a dog who liked to keep up with all the latest news." And like all dogs, he does that through The Daily Sniff--the process of sniffing around town to learn what one's fellow canines are up to. One day, though, Ted is forced to stay in and wear a cone. His dark-skinned human family tries various ways to cheer him up, but he isn't happy until it is gone. But when he tries for The Daily Sniff, everything smells bad. His attempts to ferret out the noxious odor fall short, and Ted returns home, but even that doesn't smell right…plus, Dad's hat is moving around in the garage. Investigation turns up a skunk who has lost its five little brothers and sisters. Ted helps find them…and once they have safely been reunited and returned to the forest, The Daily Sniff is back! Cabrera adds another short, enjoyable tale to her Story Time line. This one has the added fun of a double-page spread of the town with five tiny skunks hidden about. Toddlers can help Ted find them. All of this, of course, is illustrated in Cabrera's easily recognizable, jolly, dark-lined, and colorful style. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A simple but delightful story for a lap or bedtime read. (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
