Carl Goes Shopping

That baby-sitting Rottweiler, Carl, returns in this second mostly wordless picture-book from artist Alexandra Day, as Mother once again leaves her baby in her dog's care, while she runs off to another part of the store where they are shopping. Dog and infant immediately embark on an adventurous tour of said store, exploring the various departments, and having lots of fun - playing with the toys in the toy department, sampling the treats in the fine foods department - before returning to the spot where Mother left them.

Just as charming as the first Carl adventure, Good Dog, Carl, this entry in the series had a number of humorous details that I appreciated - I found the title of the book that Carl and the baby "read" together, Rottweilers I Have Known, particularly droll - and the lovely artwork I have come to associate with these books. It's amusing to note that some reviewers seem very put off by the concept of a baby being left in the charge of a Rottweiler, as I think this is really just a sweet fantasy, and not intended as a realistic depiction of parenting or dog companionship. ( )

I love the way this book tells an entire story without any words. The dog and the baby are never more than a foot away from each other. Little kids would probably think it was funny

Day, A. (1989). Carl goes shopping. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux.

In Carl goes Shopping, the mother leaves her baby alone with Carl the rottweiler as she goes upstairs. As soon as the mother leaves, the adventures begin! The baby gets out of the stroller, climbs onto Carl, and rides Carl like a horse. They take the elevator, play with toys, sample foods at a grocery store, and unlock the cages of animals at the pet store. My favorite scene is when the baby is holding a book titled “Rottweilers I have known.” The duo somehow manages to return before the mother comes downstairs. The baby is back in the stroller, and the mother returns and says, “Good dog, Carl!”

Although both wordless stories are quite humorous, the illustrations are starkly different from each other. In Frog goes to Dinner, the illustrations look more like a cartoon, creating a lighthearted mood. In contrast, in this book, the author, Alexandra Day, uses oil paints, which provide lots of layers. The layers add depth to the illustrations, making the pictures look realistic. I think Day used this medium to make the story seem believable. In both wordless stories, the illustrations clearly communicate the storyline. They are excellent stories to help beginning readers learn how to understand the different elements of a plot.

Although the illustrations in the Carl books are not as stylized as, say, Peter McCarty's, their charm and evocativeness are undeniable. Day really captures the essence of Carl's spirit and you can tell she is a close observer of dog behavior. The plots in the Carl books ask and answer the question, "What if your dog was your babysitter?" Then, the fun ensues. Carl takes baby all over town when Mom and Dad are away in adventures only a dog would conceive of. This series of books is a real upper, guaranteed to put a smile on your face. ( )

Annotation:

Mother has to go shopping and Carl the dog is along to babysit Baby. Carl takes Baby on various adventures and returns to the store just as Mother returns.

My Review:

This selection in a series of stories about Carl (a Rottweiler) who keeps Baby entertained while Mother is shopping. There are words spoken by Mother on the first page and last page. The pages in between show Carl taking Baby to the toy department, the sale area for books, the hat section, television area, and various other places, including the fine food area where Baby eats and the rug sale area where they take a nap. Carl returns Baby just before Mother returns to the buggy where she left Carl and Baby. I get the impression that Mother does not know that Carl has taken Baby on the adventures, but believes he has waited attentively next to the Baby’s carriage. My grandchildren LOVE this book and together we have discussed Baby and Carl’s adventures. This is a great book for discussion. The illustrations by the author are wonderfully descriptive.

Other Reviews:

School Library Journal Review: PreS—This review describes Carl as a “mischievous Rottweiler” who “start their playful journey through various departments--toys, electronics, home interiors, food, and pets--before Carl delivers baby back to her buggy moments before the unsuspecting mother's return.” The reviewer agrees with my assumption that Mother doesn’t suspect the adventurous romp through the store. However, I disagree with the reviewer in her assessment of young children enjoying the book, “this almost wordless picture book has an adult perspective. Day's detailed, rich-toned paintings are well executed and tell the story, but the style is too sophisticated for very young children to appreciate.” Obviously this reviewer has not sat with a child and “read” the book!

Publishers Weekly Review: This reviewer loves the book. He/she describes the “whirlwind inspection” of the various departments in the store. He/she sums up the review with “Animated tempera paintings convey the same endearing quality evidenced in Day's previous book; once again she presents a winning combination of hilarious and tender moments in this--practically--wordless charmer. Ages 3-up. This is another example showing it is important to read several reviews before making a decision about a book selection. ( )