School Library Journal Starred Review

PreS-Gr 3-Daniel is the bravest boy in the world, able to face spiders, snakes, and thunderstorms...but he "just doesn't like" dogs. When his aunt goes on vacation and leaves her pet, Bandit, with his family, he stays in his room and refuses to come out. Later that night, he needs to use the bathroom and is startled by Bandit, who has been frightened by a thunderstorm and is cowering behind the toilet. Daniel's anxiety slowly turns to astonishment as he realizes that he can comfort the pup-and that he does like dogs after all. The boy's connection to Bandit rings absolutely true, as does his insistence on his lack of fear. Day's hilarious illustrations, done in pen and ink with watercolor and gouache, show the truth behind his bluster, starting with the comical cover picture of Daniel climbing a lamppost to avoid a group of passing canines. Text and pictures work on every level, and readers will remember Daniel and Bandit long after they put the book down.-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

ALA Booklist (Thu Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2006)

Every time his big sister observes that Daniel is afraid of dogs, he responds, I'm not afraid of dogs . . . I just don't like them. He can avoid them on the street, but it's another matter when Aunt Rose's dog, Bandit, comes to stay at his house. Rather than eat with his family, Daniel retreats to his room and shuts the door. He ventures out late that night during a storm, only to find the dog trembling in the bathroom. Realizing that Bandit is afraid of thunder, Daniel reaches out and comforts him. Pitzer tells the appealing story with simplicity and restraint, allowing Daniel the dignity of his original stance and the opportunity to change his mind on his own. Day's sensitive ink drawings, brightened with watercolor and gouache washes, create a series of large-scale, double-page scenes that clearly illustrate the emotions as well as the actions and attitudes of the characters, including Bandit. An encouraging story for the many children who are afraid of dogs . . . or just don't like them.

Horn Book (Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2006)

I'm not afraid of dogs!

Kirkus Reviews

This exploration of a child's fear of dogs focuses on the main character, Daniel, a boy of four or five whose whistle-in-the-dark mantra is, "I'm the bravest boy of all." He maintains that he isn't afraid of dogs; he just doesn't like them. But through his sister's teasing comments and from the illustrations, the reader can see that this little boy is clearly scared of any and all dogs. Daniel has to face his fear when his family takes care of an aunt's dog. During a thunderstorm in the middle of the night, Daniel cares for the terrified dog, overcoming his own fear in the process. This encounter between the frightened boy and the even more frightened dog is sensitively handled, capturing a dog's ability to win over the heart of a caring human. Day's illustrations in pen and ink with watercolor wash convey Daniel's feelings and create a winning personality for the little dog, appropriately named Bandit. (Picture book. 3-6)