No Dogs Allowed!

Rating:
Summary: Colorful story is a day at the beach
Review: Sonia Manzano makes magic out of the un-urbane urban life in "No Dogs Allowed." She brings her years of experience enchanting ordinary city living straight from Sesame Street, where she has won 15 Emmys as a staff writer and played the role of Maria for over 30 years.
In her first attempt at children's literature, Manzano continues to represent Latinas as strong, creative individuals with her main character, Iris. But the story line also gives Manzano the opportunity to study many of the other diverse characters that fill Iris' life.
Recounted in the first person by Iris, the tale, at times, compels the reader to sing, "These are the people in her neighborhood, in her neighborhood..." Well, at least for this reader.
The plot is simple: Iris' extended family, along with a dozen of their closest friends, and the grocer, head to the beach at Enchanted Lake for a picnic.
But, along the way, they encounter logistical complications. They get lost and cars break down. Luckily, the caravan brings a copious supply of food, books, and love to keep them occupied on their long journey. Iris entertains herself by playing with her dog, El Exigente.
Although spirits remain undamped by the challenges the group gallantly engages, a single sign casts a dark cloud over what should have been a picture-perfect picnic: "NO DOGS ALLOWED."
Not to worry. Teamwork and a little ingenuity save the day and a good time is had by all, including the dog, the one being read to and the reader.

Manzano's characters - while oversimplified conventions with names like Mami the Busy and Carmen the Beautiful - are familiar and full of life.
The illustrations by Jon Muth capture the chaos and beauty of family outings, exaggerating the discord of it all. A fine balance is created by his strong, distinct pen and soft water colors. At times his work, the penultimate depiction showing a panoramic view of a sunset, for example, is surprisingly poignant and hauntingly beautiful.
Animated, vigorous, and fun, "No Dogs Allowed" is a comforting story set in a mixed up world, appropriate for these uncertain times.