Copydog

October 15, 2023
Two canine sisters confront a common sibling squabble. Elise and Rosemont get along well. They share and take turns; they are everything a sisterhood should be. Except Rosemont won't stop copying her older sister. It's so annoying! In true OHora fashion, the depiction of Rosemont's imitations is bonkers: When Elise starts playing the sousaphone, so does Rosemont (the curlicue instrument lets out a loud "SKRONK"). When Elise dresses as a pickle for Halloween, Rosemont is a cornichon. And don't even ask who invented Cookie Soup--both sisters lay claim to that discovery. Elise accuses Rosemont of being a "copydog." "I'm not a copydog!" responds Rosemont. "We just like the same things, that's all"--an exchange that will be all too familiar to kids with siblings of their own. But the biggest frustration is when Rosemont comes to a birthday party thrown for Fuzzy--Elise's best friend from OHora's Fuzzy, Inside and Out (2021)--and gives him the same present that Elise made! Elise storms out of the party and roller-skates away, furious. Luckily, Rosemont copies Elise's caring and helpful moments, too, and is there to pick her up (literally) when she's down. Chatty speech bubbles dot the text, and Elise's annoyance is palpable in the art, with overhead scribbles and jagged, spiky shouts. Instructions on how to make a rainstick (Fuzzy's present) are appended. A relatable copycat...ahem, copydog scenario. (Picture book. 4-7)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2024
OHora (Sonny Says "Mine!", rev. 9/21; Fuzzy, Inside & Out) employs his signature bold outlines and vibrant acrylic colors in this rollicking story of shaggy gray dog-child Elise and the adoring little sister, Rosemont, who emulates her every move. Elise usually likes to spend time with her sibling, but she cannot stand being copied. When Elise dresses as a pickle on Halloween, Rosemont dons a cornichon costume. When Elise wears ribbons or learns to play the sousaphone, guess who does the same? Rosemont even takes credit for the cookie soup Elise invented. OHora throws in funny visual gags during these scenes of comical distress. A black cat reacts in shock to Rosemont's Halloween outfit. Tiny Rosemont plays her sousaphone inside Elise's larger instrument. Making cookie soup also means making quite a mess. The book uses some comics conventions, including occasional panels; the irregular shape of some speech bubbles reflects the turbulent emotions Elise feels. Things reach a crisis point at a friend's birthday party: Rosemont not only crashes the celebration, but also copies Elise's gift of a homemade rainstick (instructions appended). Elise angrily leaves the event, but Rosemont comes to her aid. An enjoyable, storytime-ready, sibling-themed romp. Brian E. Wilson

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

April 19, 2024
Ohora crafts a heartwarming and hilarious picture book that explores the complicated dynamics of sibling relationships. On the whole, dog sisters Elise (the elder) and Rosemont (the younger) have a close and loving relationship. They're good at sharing and taking turns, "but there was one thing about her sister that drove Elise bananas." Rosemont constantly copies her, from her pickle Halloween costume ("Actually, I'm a cornichon!" Rosemont counters) to playing the sousaphone to claiming Elise's friends as her own. Eventually, Elise hits a breaking point, only for Rosemont's "copydog" tendencies to come in handy. The book's vibrant illustrations are filled with comics conventions (speech-bubble dialogue and occasional panel art) and captivating details that play up the story's humor and emotional drama. The book's glowing, cheerful conclusion is followed by a relevant DIY project, encouraging children to extend their creativity beyond the book's pages. With its relatable themes and the timeless message of sibling love, this book promises to be a popular choice for families to enjoy together.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2024
OHora (Sonny Says "Mine!", rev. 9/21; Fuzzy, Inside & Out) employs his signature bold outlines and vibrant acrylic colors in this rollicking story of shaggy gray dog-child Elise and the adoring little sister, Rosemont, who emulates her every move. Elise usually likes to spend time with her sibling, but she cannot stand being copied. When Elise dresses as a pickle on Halloween, Rosemont dons a cornichon costume. When Elise wears ribbons or learns to play the sousaphone, guess who does the same? Rosemont even takes credit for the cookie soup Elise invented. OHora throws in funny visual gags during these scenes of comical distress. A black cat reacts in shock to Rosemont's Halloween outfit. Tiny Rosemont plays her sousaphone inside Elise's larger instrument. Making cookie soup also means making quite a mess. The book uses some comics conventions, including occasional panels; the irregular shape of some speech bubbles reflects the turbulent emotions Elise feels. Things reach a crisis point at a friend's birthday party: Rosemont not only crashes the celebration, but also copies Elise's gift of a homemade rainstick (instructions appended). Elise angrily leaves the event, but Rosemont comes to her aid. An enjoyable, storytime-ready, sibling-themed romp.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)