PUPPIES ON BOARD

A bevy of literarily named puppies threatens to overwhelm Mollie’s houseboat, until she figures out a solution that spreads the wealth around. Mollie’s father is away on a fishing trip when Sheba gives birth to 11 wiggly puppies, and her mother doesn’t hesitate to remind her, “One dog is enough for me.” Mollie works with a will to raise the pups, naming them for her favorite book characters—the runt, Wilbur, is her favorite, but he shares the boat with Charlotte, Heidi, Stuart, Margalo, Max, Pippi, Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger. The lighthearted text doesn’t shy away from the hard work attendant upon a litter of puppies, and readers will see why Mollie’s mother is a one-dog person. When the pups are weaned, Mollie invites friends and neighbors to a tea party, and of course, each one leaves with a pup (her best friend Junichi takes Wilbur) just in time for her father to return home. It’s an agreeable tale, with happy, if pedestrian, illustrations, but doesn’t really do much. Still, puppy-crazy kids may find this appealing, if all the other puppy stories are checked out. (Picture book. 4-8)