This book made me really upset - I expected a very cute, Trix-rabbit-like story. "Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids." Instead I found the "test" that the bunny was forced to undergo felt a lot like gatekeeping culture, showing children that it's their place to question someone who identifies as something other than what they appear. The bunny continually bribed the dogs to look the other way with cookies as the dogs continued to question and denigrate the bunny by telling them they couldn't be part of their book. This book will not be recommended by my bookstore.

This was sush a lovely book to read for my daughter. We snuggled up before bed and she loved it very much. She has askes about it a few times and is trying to read it for herself now. Will deff buy this when out.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My first reaction upon finishing this book was "What did I just read?" If I'm this confused about the story, I'm sure it won't be super well received with little kids unless the person reading it acts it out a bit. 

The illustrations were okay, but a little hard to follow at times. The text was... meh? and the plot was not great. I appreciate the message it was trying to send, but I don't think it managed any of the "excellent lessons on identity, community and belonging" it set out to do. The cow popping in at the end was very cute though. 

Ultimately, this book missed the mark. I would not recommend.

This Is a Dog Book! So how did a bunny get on the cover? Or is it a bunny after all...?

A cute, quirky, playful book with creative and expressive illustrations that make great use of shading. Sure to be fun for reading aloud and doing fun voices with little ones, and all of it encompassing a positive message about identity and acceptance. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for the advance review copy.

Thanks to Kids Can Press + NetGalley for the advance review copy of THIS IS A DOG BOOK by Judith Henderson.

So much fun!  "This is a Dog Book" naturally lends itself to read aloud enjoyment with voices, actions, and high-energy illustrations. Bonus is the discussion that will occur about belonging, acceptance, and who gets to decide how we each see ourselves.

This is a darling little picture book about a bunny who tries to convince some dogs that he's really a dog and belongs in their book. He passes lots of tests but keeps accidentally outing himself with bunny characteristics. Ultimately, he's accepted though, because he passes the ultimate dog test. You'll have to read to find out what that is. ;) This would be an especially good book for kids who love dogs. There are several easily recognized breeds in the assortment like dachshund and I love that the big black dog looks so much like our dog, Moose. Altogether a fun book.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

This is a delightful book that will tickle a kid's fancy.  A bunny tries to break into a book that is earmarked exclusively for dogs.  

"How did the bunny get on the cover?
  I don't know.
There ARE bunny books, you know.
I'm not a bunny.  I'm a dog."

Then the fun begins.  The dogs take the bunny through a litany of questions and antics to try to prove to them that he truly is a dog.  Questions such as... Does he like to run and catch a ball?  Can he use his best puppy-dog eyes to get suspended from trouble?  Does he smell dog doo-doos?  ( that will be the kid's favourite I'm sure) just to name a few.  After assuring all the dogs he truly does have the qualifications  they pose one last question.  His answer is unanimously and unequivocally .... YES!  He's in!  I wonder what that question is? 

The story is silly, the characters are adorable and the artwork is funky and fun.  "This Is a Dog Book!" is certain to be read again and again. The message is positive and includes lessons on identity, community, acceptance and belonging. Both young and old will appreciate the humour.  I highly recommend it.

This is a book about dogs. Why is there a bunny in the book about dogs? A bunny cannot be in a dog book. Well, maybe the bunny is actually a dog! Let's test to find out. 
Another winner from Kids Can Press, this fun adventure reminds kids that it doesn't really matter what you look like as long as you can be a kind friend. The pictures are crafted in a fun multi-media style, and the text is perfect for emerging readers. It really made me smile, and I can't wait to share it with my students.

Silly book about inclusion. My 7yo was giggling throughout (I mean what 7yo doesn’t find poop humor funny) and really enjoyed the book. It’s a quick book so it was great for bedtime.

A cute story for the younger children.  This would be a great discussion starter on what makes a dog a dog or a bunny a bunny.  The questions were cute and would make any child giggle.

A simple, yet charming, picture book about a bunny who REALLY wants to be in a book about dogs. 
When a bunny tries to pass himself off as a dog to be included in a dog book, he is then put to the test to prove himself worthy (as a dog)!
The pencil drawn illustrations will engage elementary aged children and would pair well with a directed drawing lesson.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book was so cute and super funny! It had me laughing. I was convinced the bunny was a dog...until the cow came on the scene at the end. This would be a perfect book to read to my kindergarten class! It reminds me of Elephant and Piggy books.

Nice illustrations, kids will enjoy the bunny insisting it is a dog and the characteristics that make a dog a "dog." This would make a fun read-aloud, asking kids questions about what they think a dog does. The ending is a little too sweet, but a fun book nonetheless.

What a cute and sweet book about a bunch of dogs trying to decide if this animal that looks like a bunny is a dog!  I don't read many children's books, but I tend to lean towards the ones with dogs as main characters - a little impartial as a dog mom myself!  I loved all the quantifying qualities that these dogs needed from this animal to confirm if it was indeed a dog.

A great read with great pictures and reminds me of a perfect night time routine book!

I thought the story would be very difficult for young children to follow, even with pictures. I would not recommend this for any age.

I have to be honest, but I really didn't get this book or understand what it was about. 
The illustrations were mostly in black and White too, so not sure how eye-catching they would be.

While I thought this was kind of cute, it seemed to be missing something that would grab the kids.  I was reading it with my granddaughter and it just didn't hold her toddler attention.  And that kid can make you reread a book!  The premise of a lying rabbit trying to get into a dog book is cute.  The bunny doesn't seem to be too devious.  I think the bunny could have been drawn with expressions to let the kids know he is in on the joke. It was a little too subtle.  And a good kids' book needs a rhythm.  We couldn't get into the rhythm.  Cute idea but a little too subtle for a little one.

Well, this sort of passed me by, without making much impression.  It's a book entirely in black and white, except when it's in red, that concerns a floppy-eared, rabbit-like creature wanting to be in a book about dogs.  The dogs ask it a few questions relevant to dog life, and the rabbit (d'oh, I've given the game away) has to try and convince then it belongs.  There didn't seem to be any reason for its existence beyond the quirk of what an unusual set-up it has; there's no moral about being yourself or admitting outsiders, or pigeon-holing people.  By the time a large proportion of it all boiled down to dog poo I really didn't think this was worth a recommendation.

This Is a Dog Book! by Judith Henderson follows the adventures of a bunny trying to persuade some dogs that he belongs.  They are not entirely fooled that he is a dog despite his best efforts.  In the end it is decided that it doesn't matter if you are a dog or a bunny, the important thing is if you can be a good friend.  I would be remiss if I didn't mention that poo is referred to a few times to add to the body of proof the bunny has to provide that he is a dog.  My almost four year old didn't quite get it but my older son was laughing uncontrollably.  I think bathroom functions will always appeal to boys!  The drawings are eye catching in their simplicity, using just three colors (black, white, and red) but done in such detail you are drawn in immediately.  The text was engaging and kept short to retain the interest of even the early preschool age group with the message of friendship conveyed clearly.

I was provided a free advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review from Net Galley.  The opinions shared in this review are my own.

Such a cute book!! The illustrations make it so much better!!! Dogs are wondering why a bunny, who looks like a dog, is in the book! Throughout it, dogs asks dog like questions to find out what this new thing will say!! Its quite funny and younger kids will get a kick out of it. I would recommend it to teachers at my school.