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Hip Hop Dog

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by Chris Raschka, illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky
New York: HarperCollins, 2010

It's hard to sit still while reading Chris Raschka's latest which is so rhythmic it would probably be best read aloud while dancing. The Hip Hop Dog was born into a litter of "eight BROTHERS and eight SISTERS/Friendly TAKERS took the OTHERS;/Now I GOT NOT PUPPY-sitters." As other dogs walk by with their owners, Hip Hop Dog descends into a gloom reflected in the dark browns, blues, and grays of his street life, but by and by, Hip Hop Dog starts to relish his musical life on the streets and as his mood lifts, Radunsky moves from blue to green to yellow to in-the-pink. Radunsky's Raschka-like illustrations are the perfect visual expression of Raschka's wrap-around, UP and DOWN text. Even a broke-down old gal like me wanted to dance through this book--the kids will be hoppin' and boppin' like grease on a griddle. Have fun!
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