Peg Leg Peke

June 16, 2008
In this small-format cartooned charmer, a Pekingese learns the value of the value of making lemonade out of lemons—but not via a moral tale. Spangler frames her first solo picture book as a type of interview, with questions and comments directed at the Peke. Upon discovering that the melancholy dog has a bad “boo-boo”—he's broken his leg and now wears a restricting cast—the unseen speaker smartly suggests, “You could be a pirate. With a peg leg!” “Oh?” replies the dog, as inspiration starts to dawn and his spirits rise. With a little more of such friendly and therapeutic encouragement, Peg Leg Peke is soon forgetting his troubles and embarking on a pretend treasure hunt (“East is this way,” the speaker adds helpfully, with a drawing of a compass rose thrown in for good measure). Spangler keeps her pictures simple, with just enough details and splashes of colors to set a scene. Kids, empowered by their role as speaker, should find the drawings sweet and chummy. Ages 3–6.

August 1, 2008
PreS-Gr 1-Peke is a sweet and comical Pekingese with a broken leg and a vivid imagination. An anonymous, unseen questioner inspires him to pretend that he's a pirate. His adventure on the seas leads him to an island and some buried treasurehis "blankie." The book's design is in keeping with the pup's fantasy. The story begins with oversize type and a small illustration of Peke against a monochromatic background. As he becomes a brave pirate, the font becomes smaller and he grows larger, with the addition of color and detail mirroring his developing personality. This picture book is sure to be a hit with preschoolers and beginning readers who enjoy shared reading."Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2008
Pekingese pup Peke laments his cast-encased leg until an offstage narrator convinces him he'll feel better if he pretends to be a peg-legged pirate. The narrator/dog dialogue is endearing, if a bit precious, as is the fact that Peke's "treasure" turns out to be his blankie. Cartoony illustrations use boldly colored accessories and backgrounds to play off Peke's white fur.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)