View source for Everything is MINE by Andrea D'Aquino

{{infobox1
|title=Everything is MINE
|author=Andrea D'Aquino
|reviewer=Sue Magee
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=The perfect book for the child who wants everything: beautiful artwork and an excellent story. Highly recommended.
|rating=4.5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=32
|publisher=Tate Publishing
|date=September 2020
|isbn=978-1849766920
|cover=1849766920
|aznuk=1849766924
|aznus=1849766924
}}
Marcello Von Cauliflower Bonaparte Jackson is a schnauzer: what else could you be with a name like that?  He knows that you'll realise that he's kind, clever and loyal.  You'll also need to know that everything is '''MINE''.  And he means ''everything''.  It begins with the slipper: mum still has one.  Why would she need more?  You sense that Marcello feels that he's being generous in allowing that.  Then it was the pork chop.  Well, did you see anyone's name on it?  ''And'' he left the carrots for Leo.  That's another example of Marcello's generosity.  There was the acorn which squirrel was gnawing at: there was no documentation to prove ownership.  And talking of ownership the tree would provide all the sticks he could ever want to chew.  There's nothing unreasonable in any of that, is there?

The other animals are getting just a little annoyed.  Even Marcello's hot-dog toy is getting just a little ''concerned''.  You can almost hear the snigger when Marcello is put on the lead in the park.  Back home, Marcello gets creative: he rips up the post to make a collage.  He's rather proud of it and signs it 'Marcello MoDOGliani'.  Then the ambition becomes overwhelming: buildings, cities, countries, continents, oceans, planets and solar systems all belong to Marcello.  Where would it end?  Well, it ended when Leo offered a liver-flavour treat in exchange for his homework and Marcello realised that there were some things which were more important than world domination.  Leo's friendship is one of the most important things Marcello has.

Most children go through the selfish stage: most grow out of it but the sooner that they realise the effect it has on other people and consequently on themselves, the better for everyone.  It's genius on the part of Andrea D'Aquino to make it a ''dog'' who knows that everything is his by right: you can discuss this with a child without the conversation becoming accusatory.  I mean, it can't be about ''them'' can it?  Marcello's a dog!  It helps too that the book is funny and the artwork is brilliant.  There is a moment in the park when Marcello stands on his hind legs, paws on hips and the pose is militaristic.  It sums the situation up perfectly.  The most acquisitive child will quietly realise that some behaviours and not pleasant.

''Everything is MINE'' is a beautifully-produced hardback book from Tate Publishing.  It's the sort of book which will stand a lot of reading, which will be passed to siblings or down the generations and will appeal to boys and girls.  I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

If ''Everything is MINE'' appeals you might also appreciate [[Mrs MacCready Was Ever So Greedy by Julie Fulton and Jona Jung]].

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