My Dog Ate The Bathroom by Justin Christopher

When Ella's dog, Mr Nut, starts gobbling up everything, chaos erupts. From Dad's slippers to the entire bathroom, Mr Nut grows with each bite and the family loses everything. As Mr Nut reaches his limits, a messy surprise is in store for Ella and her family.

Author Justin Christopher uses engaging and exaggerated humour to write a story that will have little ones in hoots of laughter. It's chaotic and unpredictable, taking an aspect many families will know - the puppy that chews everything - to an extreme. Throughout the antics, Christopher weaves themes of unconditional love and the joy of pets.

This will be a fun book to read aloud, with Christopher providing natural spots to pause and ponder. Asking questions during read-alouds is vital for boosting comprehension and critical thinking, and there are plenty of opportunities in this story. The story comes to a satisfying end - and it's not the one some readers will jump to.

Illustrator Raymond McGrath has perfectly matched the chaos of Christopher's story. His bright and bold artwork is zany and packed with personality, with great use of scale and contrast. From Mr Nut slurping up a shower curtain to helping find a spot for Dad to pee, every page is hilarious.

This is a laugh out loud story that will have younger readers in stitches as it celebrates canine chaos and the joy animals bring us.

Reviewer: Rebekah Lyell

Scholastic