FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
Sandra Boynton, the author of bestselling pick-me-ups like Yay, You! and Moo, Baa, La La La!, comes out with this adorable ode to love between a doggy mom and her pup.

Based on a song from her prior Philadelphia Chickens, Boynton's colorful board book features a mama happily reassuring her youngster: "Snuggle puppy of mine! Everything about you is especially fine!" In her ditty that starts off with the two next to a mixing bowl (and the pup covered in cookie dough), Mama says, "I have a thing to tell you, and it won't take long -- the way I feel about you is kind of a song." With an "ooo" and a big kiss to get it going, Mama sings her pup a bouncy tune that repeats "I love what you are. I love what you do. / Fuzzy little Snuggle Puppy, I love you." By the time the cookies are done, the song is ending, but of course Mama's love doesn't end when the book concludes with an "I love you! [Big smooch!]" and a soothing hug.

An energetic, sensitive read that's sure to get your heart singing, too, Snuggle Puppy is a marvelous way for moms and their little pups to connect. Boynton's focus on basic, unconditional love makes her board book so refreshing, and her breezy, witty artwork makes it fun to look at as parents and children sing along together. You'll be cozily and happily snuggling up with this charmer in hand. Matt Warner

ANNOTATION

Snuggle Puppy's parent expresses love for his fuzzy little one through a kind of song that includes kisses.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A great big hug in book form, SNUGGLE PUPPY is a year-round valentine from parent to child. It is bright, chunky, a pleasure to hold, and has a die-cut cover that reveals a glimpse of the joy inside before it's even opened. Best of all, it's packed, of course, with pure Boynton: her inimitable language, her inimitable illustrations, her iniminiminimitable sense of fun. Announcing the newest addition to the Boynton on Board series that has over 4 million copies in print.

OOO, Snuggle Puppy of mine! Everything about you is especially fine. I love what you are. I love what you do. Fuzzy little Snuggle Puppy, I love you. Featuring a sweet and cuddly doggie cast and rhyming verse, SNUGGLE PUPPY is the perfect bedtime book to read last, because of an ending that kids will want again and again: I started with OOO. . . . Now we'll end like this: [BIG SMOOCH!]

About the Author:Sandra Boynton is an illustrator and author. In addition to the Boynton on Board series, she has written and illustrated (and in some cases composed the music for) Philadelphia Chickens, Grunt, Chocolate: The Consuming Passion, and Rhinoceros Tap. She and her family live in Connecticut.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

Originally part of Boynton's larger collection Philadelphia Chickens, this song has been reprised in its own board book. If you are a mother who can sing or croon, then this board book will be lots of fun for you and your little one. The characters are dogs and Mama Dog tells her little Puppy just how much she loves what her little Puppy does. The gender is never specified so the book works for both boys and girls. The song is repeated several times and ends with Mama Dog giving her darling a big smooch, It is funny, warm and engaging. While it is a book that is appropriate for any time of year, the die cut heart on the cover makes it a perfect little gift for Valentine's Day. 2003, Workman, Ages 1 to 5.