MY PAL STROGANOFF

A dachshund has an eventful day in this debut picture book by Kat and Scott Arbuckle.

One of Stroganoff’s human owners wakes him up with the “Good Morning Stroganoff song,” and the brown canine is “ready…to start the day!” Following breakfast and a walk, Stroganoff is “dog tired” and takes a nap. Afterward, it’s playtime outside; Stroganoff shows his “Blue Bone” toy some pretty flowers and plays fetch with his “BFF,” a ball on a cloth strap called “basket-a-ball.” Later, Stroganoff enjoys white rice­­­—his favorite dish—for dinner. After snacking on a treat that helps keep his teeth clean, the dachshund is ready for bed. His owners tuck him in and say goodnight, and the narrator tells readers that he “can be your best friend too.” Stroganoff is a sweet-looking, energetic protagonist, and the book deftly emphasizes how pets can be important members of families. Young dog owners will find the animal’s adventures relatable as Arbuckle’s digitally altered, cartoonlike photographs colorfully depict him as he sleeps, eats, and plays. A few pages feature Stroganoff’s many nicknames, including “Mr. Floppy,” “Captain Waggles,” and “Foot Warmer.”

A personable work that tells the tale of a day in the life of an adorable pup.