Review Detail

With his debut picture book, MARLO, Christopher Browne has created an experience to be enjoyed by parents and children alike. Marlo is a dog who must take a bath. Although we understand that Marlo isn’t pleased by the prospect, s/he enters into the tub with a degree of resignation—and with a friend, Duck. After the introduction of bath time, words leave the page and Marlo and Duck begin an underwater adventure. Sea creatures populate the pages with Marlo and Duck, and Duck plays a bit of hide-and-seek with readers, which adds an extra layer of fun to the book.

MARLO’s illustrations are simple but expressive, and the underwater escapades of Marlo and Duck will create conversation and excitement.

Words are reintroduced when it’s time for Marlo to come out of the bath, and the final picture of Marlo and Duck wrapped in a towel brought a smile to my face every time I read the book.

Anyone who has had to drag a child into the bath only to have them spend far too long enjoying their time there will love this book, and I especially enjoyed that it’s one that can be made as long or as short as is needed. Words aren’t necessary to tell a wonderful story, and Christopher Browne has proved that in his first book.

My thanks to the publisher and YA Books Central for a copy of the book in exchange for my unbiased review.