GOOD DOGS ON A BAD DAY

Just what makes a good dog—or a bad one, for that matter?

Hugo, an eager and ever helpful golden retriever, wants nothing more than to make his family happy but fears they’ve become too busy to need him. Lulu the fashionista Yorkie aims to become one of the “greatest celebri-dogs on Instagram”—with just a little help from her human, of course. And though young border collie mix King is trying his best to become an agility dog, there are just so many exciting things to run off and smell! All three puppy pals are Good Dogs, and proud of it. But a new French bulldog who crashes their doggy day care outing leaves more chaos in his wake than a mere overturned hot dog cart. All agree: He’s a “VERY BAD DOG.” All also agree: That bad dog was having fun. When a series of mishaps leaves these good dogs on their own for a day, they immediately seek the interloper out, hungry for a taste of badness. Not to mention hot dogs. Equal parts hilarious and hair-raising, adventures abound, enlivened by expressive cartoon illustrations. The bright, energetic narration flows seamlessly among the dogs’ delightfully distinctive perspectives, although the second half of the novel feels a bit rushed. A salient underlying message espouses the power of friendship. Human characters are diverse—Hugo’s family is Latinx; Lulu’s owner is a Black celebrity; King’s owner presents White—but the focus is on the dogs. Sequel Good Dogs With Bad Haircuts publishes simultaneously.

This series starter is a doggone good time.