CHERRY AND OLIVE

Shy, chubby bookworm that she is, Cherry leads a lonely existence until she meets a mournful-looking Shar Pei in her father’s animal shelter. Cherry names her rotund new buddy Olive and takes her out for long walks, hoping against hope that the dog’s owners never appear. Lacombe illustrates this present-tense import with flattened, solid-looking figures set against shadowy urban streets and parks, tucking in small insects or sometimes comical byplay for more observant readers to pick out. Ultimately, the companionship brings Cherry the gumption to berate a pair of teasing peers, and even to connect with popular classmate Angelo, who turns out to be the dog’s owner. Told and illustrated in a restrained way, the episode may make heartening reading for sensitive children. (Picture book. 6-8)