Love Is My Favorite Thing

October 12, 2015
Clark’s rambunctious dog, Plum, whose exploits have been chronicled on the author’s blog as well as in a recent adult title, Plumdog, makes her picture book debut. Working in watercolor and pencil, Clark exuberantly captures Plum’s zest for life, whether it’s playing with the kids next door or causing trouble (like diving into the pond at the park) that tests his family’s patience. But unconditional love is unconditional love, and even at the height of Plum’s post-mischief worry—“Would they ever love me again?” she wonders, stuck in time-out—the answer to that question is never in doubt. Ages 3–5.

October 1, 2015
Clark captures a dog's exuberance and love of the simple things. While the text is missing any mention of "Squirrel!" still, Plum jumps from one thing to the next that she loves, from wind and snow and catching and sticks and the kids next door to the park, water, tug of war, and ice cream. It's these last four things that get Plum into trouble one day, one awful day when she wonders if any of the people she loves still love her]that's how naughty she's been. This is doubly tough for poor Plum, as LOVE is her favorite thing in the world, LOVE being the love she has for her family, Emma and Rupert, and for Gracie and Sam, the kids next door, and the love they have for her. Clark uses white backgrounds and spreads that vary among comic panels, vignettes, single-page and double-page spreads to pace the tale and make it clear to readers just how energetic and exuberant the scruffy black mutt is. And no child will fail to understand the dog's conundrum: she knows what she should do and yet feels compelled to do the wrong thing anyway. Fur, ears, and posture speak volumes. Dog lovers will especially "LOVE" this, and readers who can't get enough can follow the real-life Plum in the author's blog. (Picture book. 3-6)

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September 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 3-Plum, an endearing whippet, poodle, and Jack Russell mix, joyfully informs readers about all of the things she loves. Treats, the park, her neighbors: she loves everything (except rain). But what she loves most is love itself. Most days her family reciprocates her feelings just fine, but in her quest to do the things that make her happy, she ends up doing a few things she shouldn't. Several incidents end with a scolding and the exasperated remark "Oh, Plum!" which makes the pooch worry that they won't forgive her. For most of the book this cheerful dog is surrounded by other individuals in colorful contexts, but in her moment of doubt, she's alone and in the dark. Even with watercolors and pencils giving the spread a gentle touch, at that moment readers empathize with her. But then the family members open the door to collect and reassure her, eliciting a sigh of relief. Dog owners will recognize the authenticity in Plum's voice, that live-in-the-moment attitude, the inability to understand why certain actions are prohibited (hence the lack of explanations in the text), and that particular look that says, "Please love me." VERDICT An adorable lesson in love from a big-hearted little dog.-Rachel Forbes, Oakville Public Library, Ontario, Canada

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