You?

by Vladimir Radunsky

For a charming girl and an endearing mutt, friendship is just around the . . . hedge. These two lonely souls sit just opposite each other: She pining after a parade of passing dogs, he pining after a parade of passing owners. Until--finally--the girl and the mutt spot each other. You? they ask. You! they shout.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Dogs, Animals

40 pages, Hardcover

First published May 4, 2009

About the author

Born in the Ural Mountains of Russia, Vladimir Radunsky migrated to the United States in 1982, when he was still a relatively young man. Since then he has become well known for his brightly colored artwork and dynamic collages. Among the many children's books he has illustrated are the Candlewick Press titles HOWDI DO, BLING BLANG, and MY DOLLY, in which his vibrant images bring to life the nursery songs of folk-singing legend Woody Guthrie--tunes that appealed to him because they reminded him of songs he loved as a child growing up in Russia.

In collaboration with fellow illustrator Chris Raschka, Vladimir Radunsky wrote and illustrated a rather unique collection of tongue-in-cheek advice on a very important topic: TABLE MANNERS. Through their alter egos Dudunya (Vladimir) and Chester (Chris), the pair share their considerable wisdom in a how-to guide to mealtime behavior. The artist moved on to explore the world of shapes in SQUARE TRIANGLE ROUND SKINNY, a boxed set of fun, funky board books featuring his brilliant graphics.


"I don't pick the medium I work in, but rather it just happens," he says. "And most of the elements I use are repeated in various combinations. Recently I came across a story by Hans Christian Andersen. In it, I found this thought that pretty closely resembles my work principle: 'Ah, godfather could really tell fairy tales--they were long and plentiful. And at Christmastime he would take a thick, blank album and paste in it pictures that he cut out of books and newspapers. When he could not find a picture that fitted the story, he would draw one.'"


Vladimir Radunsky now lives in Rome, Italy.

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the favorite of the books I read to Alena yesterday. I like how it shows the perspectives of both the child and the dog. I also like that they are perfect for each other, just like all the other dogs are perfect for their owners. It celebrates differences which is great!

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little girl, at the age of parallel play, but curiously unparented...

Page after page, she's having parallel dialog with a stray dog.

Surprisingly charming, this story by Vladimir Radunsky! Drawings have an equally quirky style. Not coincidentally, thos drawings are also by Vladimir Radunsky.

What a sweet book, quite a happy romance of a pet and owner who just might complete each other.

FIVE STARS, for sure!

[Jenny Fiero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about feeling lonely and being chosen. My art therapy Elementary school students can relate to it.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the adventuresome illustrations and this story of a dog and owner finding each other.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl and a stray dog watch lots of other people (owners) and their dogs go by in the park. Then the dog and the little girl see each other and are instantly connected. They've found their rightful owner and pet.

The drawings are gouache on handmade paper. An interesting little book. The owners and dogs are drawn so wonderfully here with many dogs looking like their owners or owners like their dogs.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story which would work well with a doggy storytime...but if you read into it on a deeper level, it seems to be an analogy on finding your soulmate as well. The girl and the dog encounter all these other dogs and people that they want to keep, not noticing until the end that their own soul match is only a few feet away.

[Emmeline Guest · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story, but it will likely appeal more to adults than children because of the muted color scheme and small font size.

The illustrations are lovely, and the comic-ish style text may appeal to older picture book readers - and of course, if you are a dog lover, you are sure to thing this book is delightful.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story about a girl and a dog who are both looking for the other but keep seeing other happy pets and owners. I love the happy connection they made. And I love Radunsky's illustrations. Beautiful. Ages 2+

[Sam Bloom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I sort of get why everyone goes gaga for Radunsky's books, but to me he's just another guy writing children's books for adults. This book is cute, but I really think it would appeal more to me than, say, an elementary student.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

My granddaughter (5 1/2) wants to read this book again and again. The translations for the dog (dog-ese to English) are hysterically funny to her. We are cheering for the search of the dog and the girl optimistic that they will find each other!

[Lupine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply adorable.

[Joann · Rating 4 out of 5]

a simple dog story with a happy ending for all

[Marge]

lonely dog and lonely girl

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique illustrations with a dialogue format for the text, great about finding a friend who needs you.

[Chelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture Book

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dog longs for an owner, and a girl longs for a dog of her own. They both sit in the park and see many perfectly matched dogs and masters.

[Kena Kump · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great dog book with fun unique illustrations. I love dogs and animals, and anyone who is a dog lover would enjoy this book.

[Marcie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but slightly too predictable for me to absolutely love it. However, I think kids will like it better than I.