"In the big square house live two circle dogs. / See the dogs? See the circles? Shh. They're sleeping now." Soon enough the two curled-up dachshunds awaken and stretch, and we are treated to the sights and sounds of everyday life with two lively dogs, as seen from the perspective of a small child. Henkes is right on target with his wry observations, from the clinking of dog tags and clacking of toenails to the stomp, whoosh, grrrrowl of the midday mail. Yaccarino's flat, stylized illustrations are at once sophisticated and childlike as they combine abstraction with the familiar and comforting repetition of circles and squares. There's an old-fashioned feel to the book as a whole: Henkes's intimate child-centered text rivals the best writing of Margaret Wise Brown, while Yaccarino's style is reminiscent of Esphyr Slobodkina's illustrations for Brown's classic, The Little Fireman (William Scott, 1938). Highly Commended, 1999 Charlotte Zolotow Award. (Ages 2-4)

Shhh. They're sleeping now...

In the big, square house live the two circle dogs. When the sun comes up and the baby cries, the circle dogs wake up. With a flip-flap of their tails, they're ready to play in a big square yard. They like to eat and take a nap. Then it's time to play again. And when night comes, the circle dogs like to sleep and sleep and sleep. Shhh...