Bow-Wow-Meow

by Blanca Lacasa, GOMEZ (Illustrator)

Overview

Also available as Ni guau ni miau

A laugh-out-loud funny and charming picture book about being yourself and understanding others.

Max and his parents have a dog called Fabio.
Fabio doesn’t like doing what other dogs do.
One day, Max discovers that his dog goes out every night,
and he decides to follow him…

También disponible en español. (Also available in Spanish.)

list, singer, and writer from Spain. She writes lyrics and books for adults and children. She has published with several Publishing Houses in Spain. Bow Wow Meow is her first picture book with NubeOcho and her first picture book in the USA.

GOMEZ studied Fine Arts at the prestigious University of Salamanca (Spain). A new talent, she has worked for several publishing houses in Europe, such as SM in Spain, Le Petit Bulles Edition in France, and Scholastics and Sterling in the USA.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9788494541575
Publisher:	NubeOcho
Publication date:	05/16/2017
Series:	Egalite Series
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 11.50(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Blanca Lacasa: A journalist, singer, and writer from Spain.
She writes lyrics and books for adults and children. She has published with Astiberri, Narval, and Modernito Books. “Bow Wow Meow” is her first picture book with NubeOcho, a humorous story about animals and diversity.

GOMEZ studied Fine Arts at the prestigious University of Salamanca (Spain). A new talent, she has worked for several publishing houses in Europe, such as SM in Spain, Le Petit Bulles Edition in France, and Scholastics and Sterling in the USA.

Editorial Reviews

03/06/2017
Fabio, the beaglelike dog starring in this humorous yet sensitive story, confounds his human family: he doesn’t fetch, bark, wag his tail, or “do anything that other dogs do.” Initially, Lacasa and Gómez play the situation for laughs: Fabio looks at his keepers with deep skepticism as they bark at him and cram tennis balls in their mouths while attempting to show him how to be a dog. One night, the family’s redheaded son, Max, discovers his pet’s secret: Fabio is much more comfortable hanging around with a mangy crew of cats, sharpening his claws (daintily, using a nail file), getting tangled up in yarn, and joining in a moonlit chorus that sounds “something like a howl crossed with a meow.” Understanding what Fabio needs and wants (including a saucer of milk) unlocks a new chapter in this family’s life. Though the story can easily be enjoyed on a superficial level, the subtly delivered message—that it’s perfectly fine when one’s sense of self doesn’t match one’s exterior—offers a meaningful parallel for readers and families who are dealing with or discussing gender identity. Ages 4–8. (May)

Publishers Weekly

"Though the story can easily be enjoyed on a superficial level, the subtly delivered message—that it’s perfectly fine when one’s sense of self doesn’t match one’s exterior—offers a meaningful parallel for readers and families who are dealing with or discussing gender identity.” ~Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

05/01/2017
PreS-Gr 2—Originally published in Spanish, this warm, simple story is full of emotion and joy. Fabio is not like other dogs. He doesn't bark, play fetch, or wag his tail. He doesn't chase balls, roll over, or do anything that other dogs do. No matter what his boy Max and his parents do, they cannot make Fabio behave like a dog, and Fabio is puzzled by their efforts. One night, Max gets up for a glass of water and discovers that Fabio is nowhere to be found. Night after night, Max looks for Fabio, and night after night, Fabio remains missing. His curiosity piqued, Max stays up one night only to learn that Fabio has been sneaking out of the house and meeting up with a group of cats! Max secretly watches as Fabio plays with his "kitty pals" and enjoys doing things that cats do; he sharpens his claws, chases mice, climbs trees and drainpipes, tangles himself in balls of yarn, and, of course, "bow-wow-meows." Max is struck by how delighted Fabio looks, and the next morning, he greets Fabio with a bowl of milk and a soft "bow-wow-meow" of his own. Fabio suddenly perks up, purrs, and rubs his head against Max's legs, and the two are content at last. Max's selfless efforts to make his dog happy and his genuine acceptance of Fabio add depth to the otherwise lighthearted story. Gómez fully brings Fabio to life and captures a range of expressions with her colorful illustrations. The clean composition and bright cartoon style will appeal to young readers, and the interplay between text and art ranges from tender and sweet to laugh-out-loud funny. VERDICT An excellent choice for exploring themes of love, acceptance, and identity—and the idea that who we are on the inside may not always match what others see on the outside.—Lauren Strohecker, McKinley Elementary School, Elkins Park, PA

School Library Journal

2017-03-06
Fabio is not your ordinary dog.Young Max, a little white boy, is a bit concerned that his beagle, Fabio, doesn't behave like other dogs. He won't play fetch, he doesn't roll over to have his belly tickled, and he doesn't bark or even wag his little tail. When Max shouts, "Bow-wow," Fabio just stares back at him silently, with a puzzled expression. One night, Max gets out of bed to pour himself a glass of water and realizes Fabio is nowhere to be found. It's like he's disappeared, by magic! Max tries the same thing the next night, and the next. No Fabio. Max decides to stay awake and hide, so at last he sees Fabio sneak out of the house (readers will notice the dog's tail wagging madly); Max follows him to a place where cats hang out. Fabio seems to have fun doing cat things, sharpening his claws and climbing up drainpipes and getting tangled up in a ball of yarn. He even "bow-wow-meows." The next morning, Max fills a dish with milk, all the while quietly bow-wow-meowing. All of a sudden, Fabio's eyes perk up, and he purrs and rubs himself up against Max's legs. Fabio is happy at last! Lacasa's simple story of love and acceptance steers clear of didacticism and is well-served by Gómez's uncluttered pictures, which delightfully capture a range of animal emotions. Sweet and effective. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews