cover image MILES AWAY FROM HOME

MILES AWAY FROM HOME

Joan Cottle, MILES AWAY FROM HOMEJoan Cott. , $15 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-15-202212-9

Miles the dog attempts to be on his best behavior during his family's vacation in this uninspiring offering. He helpfully puts up beach umbrellas (three vignettes show him breaking one), "inspects picnic lunches for all four food groups" (he samples the food) and protects children against "harmful UV rays" (he uses up all the sunblock and turns two children green). Castigated, "Miles felt bad. He hated getting in trouble." After more ups and downs, Miles plunges into the water to save a woman from drowning and becomes the hero at a celebratory party. Unfortunately, the internal logic is flawed. Miles slips in and out of his canine nature at the author's convenience: he can play miniature golf, but when he has mishaps on the course he is threatened with a kennel. Minor details are puzzling (e.g., Why does the sunblock turn the children green?). Family members seem to share a single expression whether they look on in glee as Miles digs a sand castle moat or view Miles's various disgraces. Miles comes across as industrious (he makes a good marinade and even flosses his teeth), but many of the illustrations seem uniformly drawn, allowing little room for Miles's joie de vivre or personality to emerge. Ages 3-7. (Apr.)