Oz, Dog of the Del, by Taylor Baldwin Kiland | Dedicated Review

Review sponsored by Taylor Baldwin Kiland
The Children’s Book Review | February 29, 2016

Oz, Dog of the Del

Written by Taylor Baldwin Kiland

Illustrated by Patricia Palermino

Age Range:

Paperback: 36 pages

Publisher: Taylor Baldwin Kiland (2015)

ISBN-13: 978-0990715009

What to expect: Coronado, San Diego, Dachshunds, Girls, Summer Vacation

This is a tale written in rhyme about the thrill of taking a vacation and the magic that history can bring to a setting. Oz, a dog, lives in the grand old Hotel del Coronado. He greets the guests with a bark and leads them inside with Cameron the doorman. When Izzy comes with her family for the summer, she wonders who she will find to be her friend during her stay. Oz volunteers for the job and the pair have many delightful seaside adventures. During their escapades they frolic by the ocean, play with the many animals that are unique to the area, and meet many historic figures that used to frequent Hotel del Coronado: Charlie Chaplin, Charles Lindbergh, and Frank Baum. Oz hopes to be a character in one of Frank Baum’s books.

The author, Taylor Baldwin Kiland, is a formal naval officer who grew up in Coronado and specializes in writing military nonfiction. Her obvious passion for history and her hometown are a good backbone for this sweet picture book. The illustrator, Patricia Palermino, is a self-taught folk artist who focuses on historical locations. Her background lends itself to the early twentieth century setting depicted joyfully on the pages. Together, this author and illustrator duo have created a dreamy setting for a carefree summer vacation that allows for unexpected and meaningful get-togethers to take place.

Children ages 4 and up, along with adults that feel a strong connection to Coronado, are likely to be swept up in the serene playfulness of this charming picture book that flows as nicely as a warm summer breeze.

Add this book to your collection: Oz, Dog of the Del

Available Here: 

About the Author

Taylor Baldwin Kiland grew up in Coronado, California. She is a writer who specializes in military nonfiction. She has written or edited nine children’s books about the military, including The U.S. Navy & Military Careers. A former naval officer—the third generation in her family to serve in the Navy—Taylor spent twenty years in the private sector as a marketing communications professional before starting her writing career. She holds a master’s degree in marketing communications from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern California. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband and three-year-old daughter.

For more information, visit: OzDogOfTheDel.com

About the Illustrator

Patricia Palermino is a self-taught American folk art artist who has been publishing her unique collection of paintings depicting Washington, DC, and Alexandria, Virginia, historical locations for more than twenty years. Her artwork can be seen and purchased online at patpalermino.com, and has been exhibited at the White House, the National Archives, Winterthur Museum, the American Museum in Bath, England, the National Horticultural Society and others. She has been commissioned by the National Easter Egg Roll at the White House, the UNICEF Corporate Christmas Card Collection, Historic Alexandria, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, Gunston Hall Museum, Woodlawn Plantation Museum, Winterthur Museum’s Point to Point Races, United Card of Japan and others. Original paintings have also been sold at the Frank J. Miele Gallery in New York City.

Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. The author of “Oz, Dog of the Del,” Taylor Baldwin Kiland, paid for this non-biased review. Learn more about getting a book review …