All the Dogs
by Nicola Kent; illus. by the author
Preschool    Andersen    32 pp.
3/25    9798765663318    $18.99

With cheery colors and an economy of well-chosen rhyming words and phrases, this picture book joyously celebrates dogs, sorting them into an amusing range of categories including traits, shapes, actions, and moods. Starting with “big dog,” “small dog,” and “hardly there at all dog,” the catalog cleverly highlights canines engaging in common activities such as digging, playing, and taking a walk. A pup looking in the mirror appears to be “two dogs.” A sweet set of “three dogs” follows along with more visual comedy from the “really need a pee dogs!” Using ample white space, the watercolor-like mixed-media illustrations blend and bleed, creating organic, energetic lines and shapes that evoke a warm-and-fuzzy feeling. Each dog, and the one cat who proudly keeps watch by the “no dogs” sign, is full of personality, and the pages overflow with recognizably doggish mannerisms, antics, and humor. The snappy text lends itself well to repeat readings or even sharing together with a special canine friend.

From the July/August 2025 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.