mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
A sweet book about family and finding where you belong!
I read this really fun and adorable book in Dutch but just HAD to write a review in English because that is the original language + I need more people to know about this one!
In this one we meet a cute adorable bulldog named Gaston, he is living with his mom and three sisters (who all have adorable names, Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, and Ooh-La-La). That sounds cute right? Well, actually Gaston is a bulldog and the rest of the family are poodles. Yep. Either mom managed some magical feat, or there has been a mix-up. But despite being different from his family, Gaston tries and I just wanted to hug him for being so sweet and amazing and trying his best. Not slobbering like most dogs would do. Not stomping or ripping things. But elegance! Which haha, reminds me of SpyxFamily and that headmaster/teacher dude. I loved reading about this family and I love how close they are!
And then comes the thing mentioned in the blurb, which I didn’t read so it came as a surprise to me. On a day in the park they meet another family. A family of bulldogs. With one poodle. Yep. I wonder how the families were mixed up. I mean, with human babies that isn’t hard to do, but from the start it is clear that a bulldog isn’t the same as a poodle. XD Still I liked it and I was totally invested in the decision that the families, and then especially Gaston and Antoinette took. I was curious what would happen next. I won’t spoil it, but I did feel for both these two poodles. Both raised in a different way. With the right family. But is the right family really the right one?
The ending had me smiling, that was just perfect and I am happy that this was the end decision. And then came the last pages and I was just awwing and YES because that is absolutely wonderful that the author went for this one!
The illustrations were fantastic. The dogs were adorably done, but I also loved the backgrounds and other details. Such a sweet style and I need more!
Also I just found out there is also a book from Antoinette’s POV and I need it! Hopefully it gets translated in Dutch sometime. crosses fingers
All in all, a wonderful book about dogs, families, and belonging! Highly recommended.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I read this really fun and adorable book in Dutch but just HAD to write a review in English because that is the original language + I need more people to know about this one!
In this one we meet a cute adorable bulldog named Gaston, he is living with his mom and three sisters (who all have adorable names, Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, and Ooh-La-La). That sounds cute right? Well, actually Gaston is a bulldog and the rest of the family are poodles. Yep. Either mom managed some magical feat, or there has been a mix-up. But despite being different from his family, Gaston tries and I just wanted to hug him for being so sweet and amazing and trying his best. Not slobbering like most dogs would do. Not stomping or ripping things. But elegance! Which haha, reminds me of SpyxFamily and that headmaster/teacher dude. I loved reading about this family and I love how close they are!
And then comes the thing mentioned in the blurb, which I didn’t read so it came as a surprise to me. On a day in the park they meet another family. A family of bulldogs. With one poodle. Yep. I wonder how the families were mixed up. I mean, with human babies that isn’t hard to do, but from the start it is clear that a bulldog isn’t the same as a poodle. XD Still I liked it and I was totally invested in the decision that the families, and then especially Gaston and Antoinette took. I was curious what would happen next. I won’t spoil it, but I did feel for both these two poodles. Both raised in a different way. With the right family. But is the right family really the right one?
The ending had me smiling, that was just perfect and I am happy that this was the end decision. And then came the last pages and I was just awwing and YES because that is absolutely wonderful that the author went for this one!
The illustrations were fantastic. The dogs were adorably done, but I also loved the backgrounds and other details. Such a sweet style and I need more!
Also I just found out there is also a book from Antoinette’s POV and I need it! Hopefully it gets translated in Dutch sometime. crosses fingers
All in all, a wonderful book about dogs, families, and belonging! Highly recommended.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
calistareads's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
4.0
I had a whole lot of fun reading this silly book. It brought a smile to my face.
I think the book is dealing with nature vs nurture. Gaston is raised in a family of poodles. It's obvious he is different, but he works hard and learns everything his mom teaches him. He fits into the family just like the others. One day in a part, they meet another family that looks like Gaston and they have a poodle in their brood.
Anyway, it goes on. I think this story is landing on nurture. What we nurture we bring forth. The story also reminded me a bit of the Ugly duckling. That one, his family didn't let him belong because he was different. Here, he's different and he's treated like family. I like Gaston's message.
I think the book is dealing with nature vs nurture. Gaston is raised in a family of poodles. It's obvious he is different, but he works hard and learns everything his mom teaches him. He fits into the family just like the others. One day in a part, they meet another family that looks like Gaston and they have a poodle in their brood.
Anyway, it goes on. I think this story is landing on nurture. What we nurture we bring forth. The story also reminded me a bit of the Ugly duckling. That one, his family didn't let him belong because he was different. Here, he's different and he's treated like family. I like Gaston's message.
thegabecole's review against another edition
5.0
THIS IS THE CUTEST THING OMG
Also it's about how blood isn't the only thing that make families and stereotypes (including gender stereotypes!) are not everything.
I LOVE THIS A LOT
Also it's about how blood isn't the only thing that make families and stereotypes (including gender stereotypes!) are not everything.
I LOVE THIS A LOT
ctorms's review against another edition
5.0
I want to frame every page. A perfect read aloud but I'm worried that the poignant message this picture book delivers will make me tear up.
shighley's review against another edition
4.0
Cute book. Even without a "switched at birth" storyline, there is often someone in a family or group who is simply different-- and that's okay.
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
3.0
Not a dog person. And I don't think this quite hints were dogs come from. Or perhaps not strongly enough. But it's kind of cute and kind of fun. Neither the art nor the writing is all that special. But the idea of the book is interesting.
sandylovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
So cute. There was something about that little face of Gaston while he was sitting on the chair on the cover. I absolutely loved the ending when Gaston and Antoinette fell in love and had puppies of their own and told them to be whatever they wanted.
A SC Picture Book Award Nominee for 2016-2017.
A SC Picture Book Award Nominee for 2016-2017.
missprint_'s review against another edition
4.0
Adorable artwork. But I especially loved the writing here. This is going to be a great read-a-loud.
shamelesslyash's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5