Sonderbooks Book Review of Bittle

Reviewed January 10, 2005.
Joanna Cotler Books (HarperCollins), New York, 2004. 32 pages.
Available at Sembach Library (E MAC).
Sonderbooks Stand-out 2004, #7, Picture Books

There are several picture books out there that tell what happens when a baby enters a household previously ruled by a dog. Bittle is an especially fun such story.

Nigel the cat and Julia the dog suspect something is up when new things start happening in their house. When they see the crib, Julia thinks it’s a cage, but Nigel informs them that they are getting a baby. When the baby comes, Nigel decides to call her Bittle.

Julia worries about Bittle. She hides all her bones. The man and woman think that Bittle sleeps all night, but Julia and Nigel know better. She makes a horrible noise. She doesn’t stop when Julia barks, but when Nigel curls up next to Bittle, the crying stops. Some nights Nigel and Julia sing her a song.

Eventually, Julia decides that Bittle isn’t so bad. After all, she shares her food. She likes playing in the bathroom, just like Julia. Bittle caps it all off by learning to do something that Nigel, Julia and Bittle can all do together.

This is a story that will charm anyone who’s ever been in a household with a new baby.

Review of another book by Patricia MacLachlan:
More Perfect than the Moon
Grandfather's Dance
My Father's Words

-top of page-

Book Reviews by Sondra Eklund

*****Bittle*

by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan

illustrated by Dan Yaccarino