You Are Not a Pup!

By Annaleise Byrd & Sandra de la Prada

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

Annaleise Byrd has written two sparkling portal fantasies for junior middle grade Losing the Plot and Down the Plot Hole and this is her first foray into picture books. Her team mate, Barcelona based Sandra de la Prada, has illustrated many English, French and Spanish picture books for children.

This clever tale starts off with a fluffy dog stating ‘I am a pup’ No-one could disagree with that could they? Wrong! All sorts of animals, a bat, a seal, a sharks, even a lemur, and more, all claim to be a pup.  Finally even a tiny mouse states ‘I am a pup.’

And then the arguments start. Emotions run high – there is surprise, smugness, consternation, confrontation and denial as each animal tries to convince the others, culminating in an explosive battle given full expression in a stunning double page spread. Is it possible for everyone to be right and wrong all at the same time? Sandra has lots of fun with expressive body language which extends the deceptively simple text which, in turn, so aptly mimics the way children argue.

Readers will have a lot of fun with this lighthearted look at being right or wrong.  They may even recognise some familiar human behaviour.

Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing 2025

Annaleise Byrd

Sandra de la Prada