Black Dog by Levi Pinfold

[katekintailbc]

Black Dog
by Levi Pinfold

I picked this book up and read it in the children's section of the library while volunteering. The art style of the beautiful front cover caught my eye (and it was one of a dozen books with sort of similar gorgeous art that showed up on the picklist).

This is a story of a family that encounters a giant black dog (it's a metaphor for fear and depression and anxiety, but that doesn't detract). Each character looks out the window and sees the dog, then runs to the other characters to figure out what to do. When turning off the lights and locking the doors and pretending they're not home doesn't make the dog go away, the youngest member of the family spots the dog and doesn't think it's scary at all, even though it is GIGANTIC. So Small heads out and the giant dog chases. The dog shrinks along the way until it is small enough to go into the house and the family isn't scared of it anymore. It says a lot about bravery and logic and perspective and depression and denial and innocence and caring.


Plus, the art is absolutely amazing. Each picture is absolutely filled with rich detail so beautifully drawn. You just want to devour each page, looking at the things in every corner or lurking in the shadows of each drawing. Seriously, it's astounding. A gorgeous book with a lovely message.