Bold, hilarious artwork captures the innocent charm of affable George, a dog who is trying to be good — with disastrous results.
George is a dog with all the best intentions. And his owner, Harry, has all the best hopes that George will be a well-behaved dog when he leaves him alone for the day. But when George spies a delicious cake sitting on the kitchen table, his resolve starts to waver. You see, George loves cake. . . . Uh-oh. What to do now? It’s so hard to be a good dog when there are cats to chase and flowers to dig up! What ever will Harry say when he gets back? Chris Haughton’s fetchingly funny story and vibrant, retro illustrations are sure to lure dog lovers of all ages — and anyone who has ever met a temptation too good to resist.
The individual’s struggle for self-control is subtly conveyed in George’s story, which manages to make old concept fresh thanks to George’s winning personality and a vibrant, jazzy artistic style... Young children who struggle to follow the rules will feel a bond with George, and the story’s present-tense narration and repeated refrains make this a natural for reading aloud.
—Kirkus Reviews
Haughton’s retro illustrations capture George’s inner turmoil in both the position of his ears and the subtle shift of his eyeballs. Of course, there are no kids out there who struggle with resisting temptation, so this book won’t resonate at all . . . right?
—Booklist
George, the hero of this dog-behaving-badly story from Haughton (LITTLE OWL LOST), hits the canine trifecta: oversize snout, floppy ears, and an anguished expression... George vows to be good when Harry leaves, but he promptly encounters temptation. In a droll parody of an old-fashioned moral lesson, the narrator intones, “What will George do?” as George gazes out at readers with a familiar dog-in-headlights look.
—Publishers Weekly
Haughton’s digitally rendered illustrations have a modern-retro feel, and creative kids will enjoy seeing that the conventional color rules are missing; George is a fuchsia, red, and mulberry delight, while Harry is olive-green with navy blue and aqua hair. Make room in your dog-themed storytimes for this crowd-pleaser.
—School Library Journal
Haughton’s not out to lecture children. George’s crimes are ones of passion, and it’s hysterical. It resonates with anyone with blood pulsing through their veins—and especially with children, who are constantly being told what not to do...It’s another picture book from Candlewick for those who like their droll and understated humor. Don’t resist the temptation to check this one out.
—Kirkus Children's Book blog
An entertaining romp.
—Wall Street Journal
