Carl's Snowy Afternoon (Carl)

Carl and Madeleine enjoy a winter's day in this addition to Carl's long string of escapades. Following her series' winning format, Day sets the scene for the duo's shenanigans with minimal textthe toddler's mother announces that she and her husband are going to the Pond Party and the TV-watching babysitter suggests that Madeleine eat her snackand then lets lush paintings do the storytelling. They succeed splendidly, revealing cherubic Madeleine and the resourceful rottweiler escaping outdoors via the doggy door, helping neighbors make snowmen, sledding down a hill and catching snowflakes on their tongues. A highlight of their antics involves the two boldly cavorting on the frozen pond close by the girl's oblivious parents, a kid-tickling hallmark of Carl adventures. Pleasingly true to form, the pair manages to sneak back inside minutes before Madeleine's parents return. Among the fun flourishes are views of Carl purloining hot dogs from a vendor's grill and Madeleine, perched on Carl's back, removing a snowman's carrot nose for a hungry bunny. Despite its setting, it's a decidedly warm adventure. All ages. "(Nov.)" Copyright 2009 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

PreSWhen Madeline's parents go to a party, the child and her lovable Rottweiler are left at home with a new babysitter. However, the teen's inattention allows the youngster and her pup to do what they really want to doplay outside. They leave the house through Carl's dog door and romp in the snow. They help the neighborhood kids build snowmen, go sledding down a hill, and try sliding on the ice. After Carl snatches two hot dogs from the hot-dog stand, he and Madeline make their way home, with no one the wiser about how they spent their day. The simple, occasional text adds a bit of detail to an otherwise wordless picture book. The realistic illustrations are charming, warm, and very funny, particularly the one of Carl sliding on the ice. A wonderful book to share with preschoolers for fun or to enhance pre-literacy skills."Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH" Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"The ageless Rottweiler Carl and toddler Madeleine are up to their usual tricks in a mischievous winter adventure, the 12th book in a series. Thanks to Madeleine's innocently oblivious parents and TV-fixated babysitter, Carl and Madeleine spend an unsupervised day making a snowman, sledding, exploring a frozen pond and liberating a few hot dogs. It's all told through Alexandra Day's lush paintings and just a few words." —USA Today

"A decidedly warm adventure." —Publishers Weekly

"Day's signature paintings invite children into a cheerful, bucolic, snowy setting." —Booklist