A dog begs to be taken for a walk, naming all the things it wants to do outside (except the obvious one). It would like to chase squirrels, watch people in the neighborhood play, and meet other dogs to introduce to its best friend (its owner). A patterned text using repetition and rhyme conveys the excitement and anticipation that a dog exudes when asking to leave the house. Charcoal-on-paper and digital collage illustrations accompany the narrative, alternating busy scenes from the community with a familiar image of the dog requesting again and again: “Please take me for a walk.” (Ages 3–7)

Please Take Me for a Walk is a celebration of dogs and kids and community.

 

The book stars a very persuasive pup pleading with his best friend—the reader!—to take him for a walk. He recounts all the fun things they can see and do: chase squirrels in the yard, greet neighbors on their block, visit the shopkeepers downtown, swing by the schoolyard, and then run and play in the park. The dog run at the park is filled with all kinds of amazing purebreds and mutts, and our puppy wants them all to see "my best friend and me."

 

Susan Gal uses this story of a dog's best walk ever to catalog all the favorite places in a child's world. She starts in the house and the yard, then widens her scope to the block, the neighborhood, downtown, and the park. And she captures the magical way the people of a community can be brought together through their pets.

 

The dog's enthusiastic voice and eagerness to go out walking will resonate with any dog owner. And Susan Gal's artwork is so enticing and adorable it will have even confirmed cat lovers heading for the pound!

 

Happy walking, everyone!