Except one dog. She stands out from the rest with a rainbow scarf wrapped around her body, a rainbow hat, and a different beat playing on her headphones. She just can't get into the groove and is always going in the wrong direction, dancing to a different tune, or riding a bike instead of driving a car. Finally, she decides to find somewhere else to live and travels through a colorful panel of seasons until she finds a place, "Fabulous Doggywood" where she is just like everyone else. They all play guitars, ride bikes, and dress in rainbow scarves. But then she sees a dog in a sweater who is, yet again, different! When she sympathizes with the dog, she cheerfully tells her that she loves standing out from the crowd and still feels like she belongs.
The Odd Dog travels back home, to be greeted by the thrilled dogs of her own town who have missed her and appreciate that it's great to be different. Now many of the dogs feel comfortable doing something different and standing out and the story ends with a rainbow-colored encouragement to "Be who you are" and the two Odd Dogs in a heart, meeting on their own ground.
Verdict: There's so many "it's ok to be different" and similar books exalting the more colorful, exciting personalities that I kind of feel like a book focusing on being special even if you look like everyone else might be a little more unique. I'm kind of skeptical about the "it's ok to be different" and "be yourself" messages - do they really make a difference? Are they even helpful to kids? But teachers and parents do like them. The bright colors and funny dogs are a nice touch, but there's nothing really new here.
ISBN: 9780062367266; Published December 2019 by HarperCollins; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library
2 comments:
That was pretty much my verdict, too. I didn't like how the main character only felt good being herself when she was told to, and there was no justification for it. Why is it good to be different? My review is at http://www.drttmk.com/books/odd-dog-out
Ha, your blog is hilarious (although I personally like Millions of Cats). I see what people are trying to do with the many "it's ok to be different" books, but I can't say I've seen many, or possibly any, that I thought were really good. Still, parents and teachers do request them, so I stock them. And hey, cute dogs!
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