This beginner book (first published by Random House in 1961) is a classic about a very mobile group of dogs, which has been delighting and educating children for decades. A protege and colleague of Dr. Seuss, P.E Eastman was a master of educational illustrator and writer. Keeping my eyes open for the Netflix series (Flix, Don’t screw it up!).

This tale ends with a massive party up in a tree. The detailed picture of multicolored dogs ( no boring browns or grays) having fun in the branches is one of my favourite pages. Dogs in party hats, tooting party horns, skipping rope, sleeping, setting off firecrackers, bouncing on a trampoline, and serving pieces of layered cake with pink frosting. The idea tickles me and still makes me smile. As a child, I was fascinated with all their party games.

And yes, I was also finally happy that the poodle and mutt could compliment each others‘ hats.