As usual, humans would be wise to take a cue from the dogs - no matter what our differences, we can always find something that makes us match.

Join the fun as dogs at the park discover what makes them all similar. Laid out in graphic novel format, Barton's illustrations are busy, and packed with fun details that will keep kids coming back to read this one again.

I would be purchasing this for a two year old. I think the target audience would be older. It is in cartoon format which did not hold her attention.
I received this galley from NetGalley.

*We Match!* by Chris Barton is an absolutely adorable story about dogs at the dog park with a lovely message that unfolds in a charming way. The story begins with a couple of dogs who think they "match" because they look alike. But as more dogs arrive, the others assume that a new dog doesn’t match because it looks different. As the dogs get to know each other, they realize that there are many different ways to match with someone. Some dogs prefer dry food, some enjoy wearing sweaters, and others like chasing squirrels—proving that differences don’t mean you can’t be a match.

The book conveys a wonderful message of inclusivity and acceptance, teaching young children that just because someone looks different doesn’t mean they can’t be a perfect match for you. The illustrations are playful and engaging, making it a fun and heartfelt read for young audiences. I would highly recommend this book to caregivers of young children and dog lovers alike. I give it 5 out of 5 stars and would definitely suggest it for any child's library. I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Astra Publishing House.

This is a really fun book that is full of many little twists and turns that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. However, I think that there is one little wording choice that could be altered a little bit.
Using the term "we match!" repetitively was a great touch, but I don't think "matching" fits perfectly. I liked how the dogs slowly realized that you might have more in common with others than you might think, you just have to look beneath the surface. That being said, I think "match" would fit more with visual and superficial things. It might be a bit clunky, but I think it would make more sense for the author to use words like common or similar.
Although, that was the only thing that I didn't care for (as much) in this book. Everything else was great! The idea, the patterns, the illustrations, the examples...all of it! All in all, I had a lot of fun reading this book, and I know that little kids will, too!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. The book itself was fine but I disagree with how it's being marketed. To me, this is NOT a math book. My six-year-old loves math and was excited when I told him I received a book on NetGalley that had math in it. Readers, this has no math in it. Unless you consider the concept of matching or having something in common math, this is not a math book and at best it's tangential. The overall concept of the book is cute and appreciated: the idea that we all have things in common and that they might not be obvious or based on our physical appearance is important, especially for young kids learning about friendship. The pictures are cute and engaging. I think if the book had been marketed better I would have liked it better but overall it's pretty simplistic: The dogs share things they like and have in common. There's also not much exchange between them; it's just one dog shouting out questions for the others to pair up. This was, unfortunately, a mixed bag for me.

Dogs ... Lots of dogs! They're all different, but all somehow the same. We Match is a book I would have loved to share with my children. To the child that asks, "What's it about?" I'd say it's about dogs in the playground, telling each other about their lives: who likes to play ball, who likes to stick their head out the car window, who likes to chase squirrels? And what do you think? Yeah, they all do! But they're all different too—the way they look, where they come from. It doesn't matter. They play all day together anyway. To the adult, I'd say that We Match conveys the uncomplicated exuberance of being with friends you've never met before. It also encourages openness to friends of different backgrounds to engaging in friendly and nonjudgmental dialogue, and most of all to playfulness. I'd also say, look at these sweet pictures! Appropriate as a read-aloud for younger children and as an early reader for children in the grades who still enjoy picture books.

Everyone meets at the dog park and together they investigate all the ways that different puppers are ALIKE. They all look different but that's not what matters to them or should matter to people!
The illustrations by Sharon Glick are imaginative and tell much of the story with SUCH a variety of puppers.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age, including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, waiting room, or your local public library! It really does look better in print.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital Galley on Thorium PDF from Astra Publishing House | Astra Young Readers via NetGalley. Pub Date Jul 15, 2025 @astrakidsbooks
#WeMatch by Chris Barton @bartographyatx illustrated by @glicksharon, @childrensbookcouncil @goodreads #kidsbook #picturebookart #kidlit #picturebook #illustration #childrensbooks #imagination #howarewealike #Bookbub #goodreads #librarything

I’m not really a dog person—but I do have a soft spot for them, especially when they’re as full of character as in this book! It’s genuinely funny to see how the author (and illustrator) give each dog unique, human-like quirks that make them feel instantly familiar.

The story takes place in a dog park, but it oddly reminded me of a preschool classroom—where kids search for a “match” among their classmates based on hilariously random things like “I don’t like strawberries either” or “astronauts are scary.” A charming and humorous take on connection and personality, no matter the species!

Fun!

Even better, amidst the laughs at the doggie antics and full-of-activity illustrations, it has a message. We may all be different in appearance but we're also alike in, oh, so many ways. Join this lively, playful bunch of dog park dogs and discover ways we're alike. In the process, you'll probably find lots to grin and chuckle over, from the baseball player style cards that intro us to the dogs to the activity that goes on in the background behind the focus of attention. Make sure you take the time to look at the full illustrations, in other words, as there is lots going on. You'll see diverse humans, including at least one in a wheelchair, and one dog owner that I can't quite decide if is on skates or simply being dragged along by his enthusiastic dog in a full out run. Make sure you spot the duck. And, wait till you see their new friend at the end.

Done in comic style with the dogs being the ones to provide the dialogue, there's a lot to take in as you read. I have to admit to going back through the story a couple extra times after my initial read focused on the text simply to make sure I hadn't missed any nuances. I enjoyed every go-through and, yes, found something going on each time that I'd either totally missed or skimmed over initially. Children can spend some enjoyable moments trying to make sure they see everything. I also liked the careful way the illustrator made the park a safe place to enter, with an entrance design I've seen used at the dog walk area at my own vet's. There's even a sign about cleaning up after your dog, a nice touch. The illustrations are just plain fun, with colorful scenes that encompass everything from dogs and their humans arriving at the park to some unexpected encounters. Each dog has its own look at personality, further developed even at the end with the use of what would be the back of the player/dog cards shown early on. You'll learn not just the dogs' ages and breeds but other bits of info about them there. Button is Player of the Year, by the way. Grin.

Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this fun book. As the dogs go through what becomes a ritual of discovering what they all have in common, from not just appearance but such things as, well, the obvious "Throw the ball!" and what would be one of my dog's favorites, enjoying chasing squirrels, plus things she wouldn't like, like wearing coats and costume type get-ups. to things about where they met their owners and more. They are all friends, too. It's be great fun to lead children in a round of this, I'd think, as laughter and hopefully understanding would be forthcoming and help us learn to be more open to others who might appear different on the surface. Thanks #AstraPublishingHouse for sharing this fun read early with me. I'll definitely be sharing it with my dog-loving friends.

You can’t go wrong with a Chris Barton book! This story is a great way to help kids learn the value of finding connections with others who don’t look like “us” or our dogs. . Who doesn’t love a park full of talking dogs who can teach kids about sorting? The illustrations are mixed together as a traditional picture book with graphic novel elements and the doggies (and a surprise animal guest) are oh so cute.

We Match is a comic book style read that features "matching" dogs whether it be by appearance or interest. I thought the concept was refreshing but I felt that it was a little difficult to understand at first, especially due to the comic book style execution. I don't know that younger readers will understand this as well as an elementary school aged child. The illustrations were adorable though!

Thank you for the ARC. This was written as comic book style which I don’t typically care for but the illustrations were great. It had a good message about our differences and similarities.

Such a sweet book with a great message that we need to look for our similarities and not our differences and the artwork is wonderfully drawn!

We Match! is a comic book style picture book that explores how dogs can "match" by their shared interests, rather than their outward appearance. The story takes place at a dog park, where various dogs of all shapes and sizes interact. The book has a couple of more difficult words (I.e. aficionado) that would make it harder for beginning readers, but the book overall would be appropriate for K-2.

Thank you to Astra Publishing House and NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.