cover image Big Dogs, Little Dogs: A Visual Guide to the World's Dogs

Big Dogs, Little Dogs: A Visual Guide to the World's Dogs

Jim Medway. Firefly, $19.95 (32p) ISBN 978-1-77085-828-2

Dogs are grouped into categories that include "working dogs," "toy dogs," "terrier dogs," and "mixed-breed dogs" (sprocker or bassetmatian, anyone?) in this oversize visual guidebook, akin to a picture dictionary. The dogs stand against white backgrounds, drawn in a cartoon style that highlights their individual physical attributes, and are identified by breed name. An index provides brief descriptions of the 300 included breeds ("This small, fluffy black dog was originally used as a watchdog and for catching rats," Medway writes of the Schipperke), and a playful spread dedicates to puppies features a web of dotted lines that connect adult dogs to their offspring. Though readers won't learn a great deal about any of the breeds, many readers will be happy simply to peruse the pages and meet dogs they've never heard of before. Ages 3%E2%80%937. (Oct.)