Bailey by Harry Bliss is about a lovable dog’s first day at school.
It was an instant hit with my granddaughters for two reasons: their dog is also named Bailey, and they loved Bliss’s wonderful illustrations. The girls are both artists and enjoyed pointing out all the adorable details that make Bailey come alive in the story, especially his ever-wagging tail. I enjoyed the book, too.
Bliss captures the reader’s attention with his funny, sophisticated sense of humor. For example, as Bailey gets ready for school, he counts to 100 as he brushes his fur. Then he looks in his closet, trying to decide which collar he should wear because he wants to look cool!
The dog-themed jokes continue when Bailey gets a tummy ache, from what else, eating his homework! During math, he adds 1 bone + 3 bones, and at lunch he wants to trade his bone for a girl’s sandwich. There’s a laugh on every page as you see Bailey’s perspective vs. the children’s—they want to play baseball, while Bailey waits for them to throw the bat. Bailey really gets his tail wagging when he dances with the kids.
Bliss is a cartoonist and cover artist for The New Yorker magazine. Judging from his many award-winning children’s books and hilarious cartoons, he’s found a way to entertain all ages. I hope he continues to share his sense of humor with us for many more years.