Roy is Not a Dog

by Daniel Newell Kaufman

illustrated by Esme Shapiro

Tundra Books 2024

If he looks like a dog and barks like a dog, then he must be a dog! Mustn’t he?

Unofficial small-town detective Weasel sets out to uncover if Roy, the local recluse, is in fact a dog in Daniel Kaufman’s debut picture book Roy Is Not a Dog. The local paperboy knows everyone on Lilypond Lane except for one resident whose home is adorned with fire-hydrant hedges and an archway of bones. Not skeleton bones, but dog bones!

He runs to tell Pam Pam about his canine suspicion, and she turns out to be his perfect foil, refuting him at every turn. “I’ve never heard a person yip quite like that,” says Weasel. “Plenty of singers can hit those high notes,” she retorts. Determined, he resorts to trickery by tossing a stick. Roy’s puppy personality takes over as he fetches the flying object. Convinced he is proven right, Weasel declares, “I know you’re a dog…. You fetched me that stick.” Roy claims it was just politeness. Next, Weasel throws a raw steak. Again, Roy denies his dogginess, declaring he’s a “sophisticated eater” and asking, “Haven’t you ever heard of steak tartare?” Roy’s secret is only revealed when a cat strolls along.

Shapiro’s beautifully muddied color palette illustrates a botanically rich neighborhood. Fans of Shapiro’s work will be delighted to see she hasn’t departed from her recognizable watercolor and gouache style. Kaufman’s witty banter makes for a lively read-aloud. However, there is one misstep near the very end with a rather strongly-worded message: even though Roy is a dog, he considers himself no less human. Why can’t a canine enjoy his doggedness without humanity encroaching? Even with this flaw, the story reads as a delightful sleuthing tale—one that everyone can enjoy!

Shelly Swearingen is an elementary school teacher currently living in coastal South Carolina. Her book discussions can also be found on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Shellyish