Wegman's Weimaraners

Flo and Wendell reading.jpg

Courtesy of Penguin Young Readers Group


Flo and Wendell superheroes.jpg

Courtesy of Penguin Young Readers Group


"Flo & Wendell," by William Wegman; Dial Books for Young Readers, $16.99, 32 pages, ages 3-5.


After a decade-long hiatus, William Wegman and his loveable, huggable Weimeraners are back in print.  In this story, we meet little Flo and her brother Wendell, and aside from their adorable faces, these puppies have very little in common. Flo likes dressing up and baking delicious cupcakes, while her younger brother is more interested in playing sports and causing mischief.  Their hopeful parents encourage them to try and find something to do together, but with each page it seems less and less likely. Wegman playfully dissects the intricacies of sibling rivalry through simple text and engaging images. In previous Wegman books, the dogs are pictured in actual clothing; here the author departs from tradition and mixes photographs of the dogs with painted costumes and backgrounds.  This book is so cute parents may find themselves suddenly besieged with requests to bring home actual puppies.  (Full disclosure: our family recently brought home a pair of pups after reading this book.) Cave canem amabilem.