Ochiltree's (Ten Monkey Jamboree) ebullient offering puts readers through the paces of an early morning pillow fight. Set against a white background, the opening illustrations show a perky puppy ("My dog, Maggie") peering over a sunny yellow blanket, then pulling at a pillow as the young narrator sleeps. Wispy strokes convey the puppy's wagging tail as the pet pulls the pillow off the bed. D'Allancé's (Bear's Christmas Star) full-bleed illustrations mimic sunrise with gold and grapefruit, powder blue and peach pastels as the narrator recounts Maggie's actions ("[She] chews my pillow up/ She takes it/ and shakes it/ from side to side"). Abundant white space and lively vignettes vary the pacing as Maggie continues her "tail-wagging/ floor-dragging/ zig-zagging ride." One spread shows Maggie in an uncharacteristic anthropomorphized pose, literally prancing on her hind legs ("She does one of her you-can't-catch-me dances"). However, youngsters will likely pick up on the narrative's rhythmic beat and join in with Maggie and her appealing owner. Just when the girl (with book in hand) thinks it's safe to relax, the pup starts in again. Preschoolers will likely want to repeat from the beginning as well. Ages 3-6.
