Hickory Dickory Dog by Alison Murray (review)

In a rhyming riff on “Hickory Dickory Dock,” Murray outlines a day in the life of a boy and his dog, Rufus, with numberless clocks keeping time in the background throughout. Supposed to stay home while the boy attends school, Rufus sneaks into the schoolyard, and follows the boy around, participating in recess, dress-up, art time, lunch, and gardening activities; he is quite a mess of paint, glue, and lunch by the time school is out, so a bath is required when the two return home. A snack and a story follow, and then it’s bedtime: “Now it’s time for the end of the rhyme. … Hickory, dickory, dog.” This isn’t quite as clever as Murray’s previous nursery-rhyme-themed outings (Apple Pie ABC, BCCB 6/11; and One Two That’s My Shoe!, BCCB 7/12) and the writing is more contrived, with some elements appearing simply for the sake of rhyme. Murray’s usual retro-toned digital artwork is attractive, though, and shaggy, golden Rufus is a charmer, whether helpfully retrieving a dripping bottle of paint or gleefully riding in a bike-pulled cart, ears tossed back by the motion. While younger children won’t be able to make use of the clocks in the backgrounds that mark the passing time, older ones may enjoy reasoning out the times based on the clocks’ hand positions. This might make an enjoyable addition to a nursery-rhyme or school-themed story session or part of a study of Murray’s books.