The reader is fully immersed in the story. It's an idyllic setting — the simple pleasure of a lovely day, the excitement of a picnic and the appeal of the animals is a wonderful formula when reading to young children. Chloe King's illustrations bring the action to life – there's a wonderful picture of Max's behind squeezing under a hay barn door as bemused chooks and rabbits look on. The palette is soft and summery, the landscape recognisable to Kiwi kids — rivers, hills, barns, pukeko, rabbits. The language is accessible with some extending vocabulary (curiosity, puzzled, swift) that will be understood in context.
The repetition of the "house high on a hill", and "Chit and Chat, the two black cats", invites the listener to join in with the storytelling, adding a further layer of engagement. The switching of the narrative between the worried Mrs Dinwiddie and the mischievous lost dog makes just the right amount of tension to create an invested audience.
Two Black Cats and a Dog Named Max is a thoroughly engaging picture book, perfect for sharing an adventure with children of about 3 years and up. And oh yes, don't worry, it has a happy ending.
