Do You Have a Dog?    by Eileen Spinelli & Geraldo Valero Order:  USA  Can Eerdmans, 2011 (2011) Hardcover Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by J. A. Kaszuba Locke Eileen Spinelli's Do You Have a Dog? is just as delightful as her Do You Have a Cat? Geraldo Valerio's astounding (acrylic paint on watercolor paper) illustrations are ever so bright, colorful, and lively! Spinelli and Valerio form a great team in giving dogs the limelight. The author begins: 'Do you have a dog? / A dog who wakes you, wants to play? / A dog who walks you every day? / Or one who leaps or fetches sticks? / A dog who does a lot of tricks? / Do YOU have a dog?' This oversized-book with two-page spreads begins with a happy dog running, a stick in its mouth, while children frolic, carrying and chasing all size and breeds of dogs. The front and back inside-covers feature dogs owned by historical figures. We learn that 'Empress Josephine Bonaparte was the wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France from 1804 to 1815. Her dog, 'Fortune' was quite protective of Josephine and even slept in her bed. Fortune also carried secret messages between Josephine and Bonaparte.' There are eleven renowned figures in all, whose dogs we discover in this picture book, including author Agatha Christie, whose dog inspired a character in one of her novels; while singer Billie Holiday's dog was named Mister, and polar explorer Admiral Richard Byrd named his dog Igloo. Eileen Spinelli has many dogs, while Geraldo Valerio has some. So, what is YOUR answer - 'Do YOU Have a Dog?' Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews