Mr. Lunch is a very neat dog who runs a very serious bird chasing business. If you've read J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh's most famous book, Olive the Other Reindeer, you'll see resemblances between Mr. Lunch and Olive - physically and otherwise. In this title, Mr. Lunch borrows a canoe from his friend, an elephant who is president of a bird seed company. Mr Lunch goes canoeing and somehow (?) ends up canoeing all the way to Venice. Though they never say it's Venice, I guess. But it seems very Venice-y.

Mr. Lunch is semi-surreal, but I can't tell if it's in a way that will be confusing and unappealing to kids, or if they'll go along with the logistical wackiness of Mr. Lunch's situation. I dunno! I find the title appealing mostly for it's tone - the dog takes himself and his business very seriously! And the artwork, which is in a sort of retro-50's style with a limited palate.

Interesting, but not great. ( )