Our child narrator isn't nearly as brave when it comes to trying new foods, but just talking about gustatory adventures can increase the willingness to try new flavours. After all, children love to be like those they love. It makes sense to want to sample what your best friend eats.
Herein lies the sneaky genius of this simple tale. While children chortle at Benji's love of crunchy bugs, their subconscious might begin to open up to the fun of trying new flavours. While grass and dirt might not be on the menu anytime soon, a mushroom or even an avocado might slip onto the fork when it is served up next. Just because Benji has tried it.
Henderson's adorable images of this four-legged optimist are the personification of dogness. From Benji's morning ritual of sitting in hope at the fridge door to his watchful position of privilege under the dinner table and reluctant sufferance of his own farts, Our Dog Benji is a keeper.
Our Dog Benji is for anyone who has ever loved a dog or struggled to feed a fussy child of any age.
Title: Our Dog Benji
Author: Pete Carter
Illustrator: James Henderson
Publisher: EK Books, $19.99
Publication Date: 1 March 2017
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9781925335330
For ages: 3 +
Type: Picture Book
