Carl's Masquerade

Good Dog, Carl #5

by Alexandra Day

To Carl and his young charge, a masquerade party proves an irresistible invitation to fun.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Dogs, Animals, Fiction, Halloween, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1992

About the author

Alexandra Day, the beloved creator of Good Dog, Carl, is the literary persona of Sandra Louise Woodward Darling—an artist and storyteller devoted to the deep, joyful connection between children and animals. The beloved children's book author, Alexandra Day, is the literary persona of Sandra Louise Woodward Darling, an artist and storyteller passionate about connecting children and animals.

Born in 1941 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Alexandra Day emerged from a creative family where painting was a cherished pastime. Four formative years on a hundred-acre Kentucky farm nurtured her deep connection to animals and literature, fostering the seeds of her future artistic vision.

Day and her husband, Harold Darling, founded Green Tiger Press in 1970, marking the beginning of their publishing adventure. Her breakthrough came in 1985 with Good Dog, Carl, a book inspired by an antique German illustration she discovered in a Zurich bookshop. The story was based on her own Rottweiler, Toby, and featured her granddaughter, Madeleine, as the baby.

Over the past four next three decades, Day has published twenty-four Carl books, selling more than six million copies. The series, featuresing a gentle Rottweiler caring for a baby and their adventures, is a beloved staple of children's literature. Beyond Carl, she also created the Frank and Ernest series, The Teddy Bear’s Picnic, and many other books.

After selling Green Tiger Press in 1986, Day and Harold started Blue Lantern Publishing. In 1993, they moved to Seattle and founded Laughing Elephant Publishing. Following Harold's passing in 2016, Day continues to run the company with her family.

When not painting Carl or working at her publishing company, Day can be found spending time with her grandchildren and tending her garden. Alexandra Day often visits libraries and schools with her dogs, promoting reading and the benefits of therapy animals. Her life's work celebrates the magical bond between children, animals, and storytelling.

Reviews

[Tym · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every one of these Carl books make me squee with cuteness and are simple yet always heartwarming

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This right here is my absolute favorite book in the Carl series. I loved seeing all the costumes & I think the theme of a masquerade party lends itself well to the painting style images.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like the book, but I’m disappointed by the lack of diversity in the characters. There’s a whole room full of party goers in elaborate costumes and almost all white. I did see one character who was a WOC and holding a bird, but that was about it. There’s also a person wearing a sombrero on the front cover, which is innocent in of its self but since it’s a costume party I assume it’s someone wearing a “Mexican” styled costume. Same thing toward the back of the book, there’s a character wearing a turban which isn’t a bad thing, but is a questionable thing at a costume party. In a perfect world, both these characters are members of those ethnic groups and not drawn to wear them as costumes, but it’s something to note.

Also, the book is definitely aged considering who leaves a baby home alone and expects the dog to babysit? I would not have this in my classroom due to the reasons stated above, despite the pretty imagery (above beside).

[Mary Kay Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

target audience - 1-5 years

summary –Carl a Rottweiler dog is left home to babysit while the parents go to a Masquerade party. Carl is a good babysitter, and entertains the baby by taking it to the party too. Mom and Dad come home at the end of the evening unaware of the adventurers of Carl and baby.

strengths/weaknesses - No Words, is a strength and weakness. You have to use your imagination with clues from the pictures to tell a story. I would call it an early lap book, because the pages are paper and easily damage by babies. As the little ones grow and improve their page turning skills it would be poplar for 3 year olds to read to mom and dad, because they can make up the story as they turn the pages.

personal critique - I would recommend this book, it has beautiful and elaborate painted pictures, with lovely costumes in a romantic early 19th century style. Because the pictures are so detailed with lots of extra elements it allows the reader to wander on the page. You can get lost inside with the party and costumes, spending hours perusing pages.

illustrations - Picture wordless book, bright colors and sweet nostalgic images.
optional:

[Charity Yost Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like all the Carl books we've read so far and how the illustrations tell the story more than the words. I also like the way they place a kinder light on a stereotyped breed of dogs. These storylines do encourage mischief; however, I'll keep renting Day's books from the library because the illustrations are gorgeous and my boys sit and watch me turn the pages as if they are watching a video.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carl’s owners attend a masquerade leaving Carl in charge of the baby at home. Not to be out done, Carl and the baby venture out to the masquerade on their own. Humorous, with few words, but pictures that speak volumes.

[Danielle T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carl's a great babysitter. Though these books were published late 80s onwards (1992 in this case, I think?), the costumes evoke more of an early 20th century vibe if not earlier (I swear, Mother is always in skirts or dresses).

Baby Madeline is in a dropdown crib so you know it's pre-2004 lol.

[Christi Balisti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carl is such a little stinker! I love that they came across someone who was dressed as them 😂

[Kelley Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beautiful pictures of the dog and baby have given this book a great deal of longevity.

[Anna Sharon]

Week 1 - Picture Books Without Words

[Annie Ostlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book when I was a little kid. I find that it was easy to read mostly because it had little to no words.

[Sarah Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful

[FinishingMyTBR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty art but why they leaving a dog in charge of a baby? lol

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost sane name. Put a smile on my face.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Carl, the good dog, is left to watch over the baby as the adults attend a masquerade party. Carl and the baby find a way to spend their evening.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous beyond imagination i love her and funny too

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Day Alexandra. Carl’s Masquerade. Harper Collins, 1995.

This fun wordless book is about a dog named Carl and a young girl named Madeleine who attend a masquerade party. The two main characters silently follow their mom and dad to the party where their night is filled with playing games, enjoying food and having fun dancing. When the party ends, Carl and Madeleine must make it home safely and on time for bed before their parents get home. I recommend using this wordless book for sequencing, context clues and interpreting pictures into useful information. This book would also be great for ELL/ESL students to practice oral language. The sweet and fantasy-like illustrations will intrigue any young reader to want to tell their own story through the colorful pictures of Carl and Madeleine.
Target audience: ages 3-6 (Beginning Book – Wordless)

[Itzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great picture book. In the book, one can see the story and how it plays out. Its about a dog taking care of a baby because the parents go out to a masquerade party. Without the parents knowing, the dog and the baby tag along. They go on an adventure at the party without being seen by the parents.

In the book, the illustrations look realistic. It has a water color like affect. It is all so filled with bright colors. The illustrations are very detailed. I think that without the illustrations it would not be a such good book. The illustrations helped create the story.

[Gabriella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful story about Carl's and the baby's adventures. This time Carl and the baby go to a masquerade. When the two silently follow mom and dad to the party their night is filled with masks, lights, and dancing. They even manage to run into a costume look-alike, someone dressed as a baby on a dog! This story would be great in the classroom, especially since it allows students the opportunity to write their own story line.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

PB 45

I loved how this story is told through the pictures. This book would be great for any child who has a pet. This book could also be a confidence builder for children who cannot read yet or who do not have strong reading skills. The art in the book is also great. One downside is that most children probably don't know what a masquerade is, but they probably could figure out from the context.

[a · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I love Carl! these books are my kids favorites! All ages will enjoy Carl and his many adventures. The art work is wonderful. In this particular story Carl is in charge of "the baby" while mom and dad got to a Party....very soon Carl and the baby must go check out the party for themselves. The only words are on the first and last pages so you can fill in the story anyway you choose

[Amila Karabegovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carl’s Masquerade is a very colorful book, children would enjoy the pictures. There is a lot going on. Each child can come up with a story after looking at this book. A lot of different stories would come from this book. This book can be used in a classroom where the students just learned to write can write down what they think the book is about.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Carl books by Alexandra Day have beautiful artwork. They are interesting picture books that could be a fun tool for a beginning reader. There are a few sentences at the beginning of the book and end but in between are just pictures. It leaves it open to have a child tell you the story of the picture.

[Melinda Trotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. Little to no text with viewer interpreting all the action. Parents go to masquerade and leave Carl the dog to care for the baby. But Carl and the baby slip into the masquerade and end up enjoying lots of action anyway.

[Emily Cain McMillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrations are amazing.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carl's Masquerade
by Alexandra Day
a wordless picture book about the party and the dog

[Kei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charles loved this book. Was one of his favorites.

[Taylor Troncin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wesley did not seem to enjoy this one as much as the others. For some reason he found the concept of the "wizard" and the "fairy" to be confusing...

[Gryphon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooo Cute! It is almost a wordless book but it has a strong story line that keeps you turning the pages with a smile! Loved it!

[Arielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and a really sweet story. Thumbs up.