BOBO AND THE NEW BABY

Bobo loves his life with Mr. and Mrs. Lee, until one day….

Bobo, a sweater-clad dachshund, has everything: plenty of places to snooze, lots of fun things to chase, and “what he likes most in the world”: Mr. and Mrs. Lee. But when the Lees come home with a baby, Bobo’s world is turned upside down. At every turn, he hears, “Not now, Bobo!” Is there enough room in this family for Bobo and the new baby? Debut author Huang’s text is effectively spare, with just enough repetition and structure for young readers and listeners, and her thoughtful illustrations shine. She cleverly conceals Mr. and Mrs. Lee’s faces until the conclusion, keeping the focus on Bobo. With bright eyes and a deft stroke of a mouth, he is, in turn, blissful, smug, patient, persistent, dejected, and finally, besotted—an utterly accessible and appealing protagonist. A collage of soft colors, loose patterns, and faded textures creates a setting both familiar and fresh. Mr. and Mrs. Lee, with their dark hair, dark eyes, and common Asian last name, appear subtly East Asian, further distinguishing this telling of a common tale.

A sweetly satisfying addition to the family of new-sibling books.