The Great Gracie Chase: Stop That Dog!

Sporting rich colorful illustrations by Mark Teague, reminiscent of Robert McCloskey's (Homer Price) style, this iconographic animated adaptation of Cynthia Rylant's 2001 picture book, narrated by Kellie Quinn and directed by Daniel Welsh, offers a joyful take-off on "The Gingerbread Man" tale. When Gracie Rose's (the family dog) peace and quiet is disturbed by painters arriving to paint the kitchen, she pitches a bark--and is promptly put outside. As payback, Gracie decides to do something "naughty"--take a walk by herself, which she promptly does (as the painters left the gate open), leading family, painters, and a whole slew of townsfolk on a merry chase down streets, across the schoolyard and through the water fountain (excepting the cat, who draws the line at getting wet), all of whom exhort their companions to "stop that dog!" Eventually, of course, the pursuit trails off, as people trip, bicycles malfunction, and folks simply get bone-tired, which brings on a nice quiet that suits Gracie just fine (and she returns home). A fun romp, enhanced by excellent artwork, this is warmly recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (R. Pitman)