Going to the Dogs

As a fan of children’s books, dogs and William Wegman, I appreciate the concept of Wegman’s “Cinderella” (“Ella’s Dogged Life,” by Suzanne Muchnic, April 4). I have already ordered a copy.

But to put his book in historical perspective: Among earlier children’s books with photographs of a dressed-up dog is “Master St. Elmo: The Autobiography of a Celebrated Dog,” by Caro Semour (Mrs. Smith) in 1904. Harry Whittier Frees did several children’s books with dressed-up animals in elaborate settings between 1915 and 1937, among others “The Sandman: His Animal Stories,” “The Little Folks of Animal Land” and “The Animal Mother Goose.”

Frees dressed up dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, pigs and rabbits. He claimed they were all alive and well, and he didn’t have fancy equipment for the daunting task. Now, there is a challenge!

MUS WHITE

Los Angeles