No Dogs Allowed! Book

"No Dogs Allowed" is an adorable belly laugh of a story about Iris and her family's amazing trip to the lake. You meet Iris, her older sister Shorty "the fortune teller," her Mami "the busy," Papi "the clever," and all the other colorful people that are members of this wonderful family - and that includes friends adopted into it! Doom is predicted by Shorty before they even set out. She is sure their family dog, Exigente, will ruin the trip to the lake. The prophecy nearly comes true if it weren't for the joy, fortitude, and love of this tightly bonded family. All the colorful characters pull together through every adversity to make it a hilariously joyful and memorable day.

Sonia Manzano (of Sesame Street fame) has given us an opportunity to glimpse a few of the special gifts of her Puerto Rican heritage including joyful perseverance in the face of adversity and the iron clad bonds of family and friends. Despite all the zany personalities, everyone accepts each other with humor and love. Elderly members are respected and treasured for their wisdom and experience. Life's difficulties are turned into opportunities with love and cheerful hopefulness. Jon Muth's colorful zany illustrations portray the characters in this story perfectly. The illustrations become a kind of picture search to find all the silly details contained in the narrative that runs on with authentic exuberance!

I highly recommend this book. My children request this story every time we find the need for a good long laugh. We wrap ourselves up in the warm blanket of joy and love that radiates from this story and giggle until our sides ache!