Please, Louise!
Louise never left her brother Jake alone begins this picture book, which explores a familiar theme in sibling relationships. After Louise invades Jake's room to play with his toys, bounce on his bed, and swing from his light fixture, he leaves the house, but Louise follows him into the yard. Closing his eyes, Jake thinks, I wish you were a dog. When he opens them, Louise is gone. The sudden appearance of a strange dog, with fur the color of Louise's hair and bounding enthusiasm for being with Jake, shocks him into closing his eyes again and wishing Please, Louise. / Don't be a dog. Deft pencil drawings, brightened with watercolor washes and collage elements, capture every nuance of the characters' emotions Children will recognize themselves at either end of the sibling-affection scale, from the enthusiastically affectionate Louise to the reluctantly caring Jake in a story that unfolds with surprise and wit. Bypassing the sappiness trap, Wishinsky creates a happy ending for both characters. Terrific for reading aloud. Phelan, Carolyn