Shnipp the dog loves to play fetch with Julie and Lara in the park, but she doesn't love their annoying laughs. So one day she decides to run off. It's not long before Shnipp finds a new life with Bessie the Bagel Lady, eating delicious bagels every day. But when she decides to finally head home, she discovers things aren't exactly the same as when she left.
Michael Rosen, a recent British Children’s Laureate, has written many acclaimed books for children, including WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, and I’M NUMBER ONE and THIS IS OUR HOUSE, both illustrated by Bob Graham. Michael Rosen lives in London.
Once again Michael Rosen delivers another fun gentle read for children, filled with reflective humour and characterful illustrations from Tony Ross.
Shnipp is a lovable dog led astray by the titular bread product and other unlikely treats such as fish and paella. Her fox friends are fun though at times mercurial as they help her navigate unfamiliar parks to food then eventually family.
There are two morals to this book: the first being to forgive family for its minor indiscretions and come home, and the second to accept your anger and jealousy but not forever. However the latter read as being more of an afterthought of the other and didn't really get enough pages to be fully explored and explained.
All in all though Barking for Bagels was a lovely educational novel about emotions. I recommend it to parents, guardians and teachers seeking to teach the children in their life about greed and anger.