Keith Goes Glam  Elaine Bickell

                                                                                         

Keith Goes Glam
Elaine Bickell
Ill. Minky Stapleton
Scholastic (2026)
Picture book
24 pages, Paperback
ISBN 978 1 77543 976 9

  

Keith Goes Glam is a companion volume to Keith and the Kitten (2025). Keith is a self-centred chihuahua, whose life is made miserable when his owner, known as Mama, acquires a feline named Queenie. Mama assumes the pair will get on like a brother and sister – which shows that she knows nothing about sibling rivalry. Keith and Queenie fight like cats and dogs. Keith Goes Glam sees the conflict spread into the world of canine fashion!

‘Their Mama loved dressing her little Keith up.
Queenie cat teased, “What a widdle pup.”’

 Elaine Bickell tells the story in cute rhyming couplets, which are neatly matched by the beyond-cute illustrations of the amazingly amusing Minky Stapleton.  A clever montage shows Mama taking a series of fashion shots of Keith in different outfits she has purchased for him. Pom-pom, bows and a top hat are key elements along with a double helping of sequins and pearls. His expressions in the photos are priceless. Queenie loves every moment of Keith’s chagrin.

‘Mama’s big weakness was sparkly clothes,
glittery booties and collars and bows.’

 Worse follows when Mama buys a hot-pink carry-bag for her dog. It matches her hot-pink shoes and goes nicely with the hot-pink bow Keith is forced to wear. With his head sticking out of the bag, Keith is a picture of canine fury and embarrassment, as Mama carries him up the street.

‘Down at the shops, he was patted and poked.
“Awww, he’s adorable,” everyone joked.’

 Then Keith sees his chance to get his revenge on the smirking Queenie. A shop is offering ‘a double pet bag, just perfect for two.’ With lots of barking and yapping he draws Mama’s attention to it. She buys the glittery golden backpack model. (And Keith gets a matching glittery gold ribbon, collar and K badge!) Keith is delighted because Queenie is about to find herself being carted around in the bag. Several pictures shows him smirking at the prospect of his revenge.

 

Into the bag goes Queenie and, too late, Keith realises his mistake.

‘”Uh-oh,” said Keith. He’d not thought of that.’

Young readers will have spotted the drawback in Keith’s cunning scheme long before Keith did and will enjoy the final pages even more. A thoroughly unhappy ending is had by all.

 

Trevor Agnew
23 July 2026  [Review 3854.]