by Kelly DiPucchio, illus. by Christian Robinson

Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2014

Image from author’s website

This was the other one I couldn’t leave in the bookstore. I was drawn to the book’s title and lovely cover illustration, but I thought it would be just another dog book. I was wrong. Gaston doesn’t quite fit in with his family, and Antoinette doesn’t quite fit in with hers. But is switching places the right answer? As someone with a lot of experience loving family that doesn’t look like me, I found this book really touching. My favorite line is: “There. That looked right… it just didn’t feel right.” I definitely teared up by the end. I like the use of text placement and fonts; they are creative but never annoying. DiPucchio’s funny names and the inclusion of the audience make the book pretty fun. And I absolutely love Robinson’s style. I have been out of the picture book world for a while and he is a newbie who will definitely stay on my radar. I really want to check out his other books. His simple illustrations, done in acrylic, are full of life and color and nestle perfectly around the story.