Rod Clement, Top Dog, Angus and Robertson/HarperCollins, 1 Feb 2016, 32pp., $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 978073229873
What a delight this story is for young and old and lovers of the political mill. Samson, the hero of this very pertinent tale is a poodle who morphs into his political portfolio when he leaves his home for his corporate world in a city high rise office. The puns, word plays and visuals come thick and fast when he “chews things over” and “throws ideas around“, his co workers have to “beg , jump through hoops and scratch his belly“.
The stellar array of workers look uncannily like the faces we see daily in the media. The double page spread of Samson dealing with the “circling sharks and fat cats” is pure cartooning at its best.
The at home depiction of Samson in yoga down dog, eating nibbles ( kibble), and a “little whine” rounds off a tail/tale of joy.
Highly recommended for younger readers for its humour, humanity and skillful story construction.
Reviewed by Chris Dayman
