If You Could Ask Your Dog One Question . . .

A young girl ponders a series of questions she might ask her dog if she could give her just one response. Would she ask about why she likes to jump in leaves, or why she growls at all the other dogs they pass? Or would she ask if her feet get cold in the snow, or if she misses her while she’s at school? The questions give insights into the special relationship the two share—going outside to play with sticks, taking walks or car rides, and snuggling together at night. Ultimately the girl realizes the answer she’d most like to have: does her dog love her as much as she loves her dog? But by that point, savvy readers will already know the answer is a resounding yes. Messina’s cadence has wonderful moments of flow offering a delightful reading experience, though there are also a few awkward spots that interrupt. Pavliuk’s illustrations, though enjoyable on some pages and appropriately focused exclusively on a girl and her dog, are overall too simple, with too much white space and reliance on gradient backgrounds. Different font selection and design could also offer a better reading experience. Overall, the book offers a fun read, especially for dog lovers.