Maree’s previous books, Animology and Azaria: A True History, showcase her amazing artistic talent and the use of typographic illustrations which sets this book apart from others.
This rhyming picture book introduces the reader to
an assortment of dogs, all described perfectly by the few short lines used to
propel the reader forward through the story. In fact, they could be used as
clues for children to guess what dog appears in the story.
However, this picture book is so much more, it’s a
look and find activity book for children and parents. The use of typographic
illustrations is a highlight. The name of the dog is shown in a range of
different fonts which can then be used to locate the letters in the
illustration of that dog, it is simply ingenious.
The letters can appear upside down, back to front or turned around, but the whole image of the dog is created from these letters in different fonts. Combined with the use of colours these dog illustrations come to life.
Dogography will allow children to develop literacy skills, they
will be able to associate letter and words with images. It will help with
identifying dog breeds, develop spelling skills and encourage children to think
laterally as they try to locate all the letters from the dog’s name.
At the end of the book there are key facts about
each of the dogs that appear as children love learning facts about newly
discovered animals – the only problem for parents might be that they might need
to buy a dog after reading this book.
Dogography is a picture book with a twist, its stunning
illustrations match with the rhyming text and will generate hours of fun for
both children and parents. Favourite illustrations include the dachsund, the
poodle and the Irish setter, though I have not found all the letters in the
labradoodle image yet!
Author: Maree Coote
Illustrator: Maree Coote
Publisher: Melbourne Style Books, $29.99
Publication Date: 1 June 2020
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9780648568414
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture Book Non Fiction
