My Dream Dog

A young boy speculates about the dream life of his dog, Scooter. The nameless narrator knows just what makes his canine companion tick, and he fills readers in, expounding on Scooter’s likes and dislikes and what the dog’s behavior signifies. But when it comes to what the pooch dreams about, the boy is stumped. His friends and family weigh in. Maybe Scooter dreams about chasing things, suggests the boy’s big brother. Perhaps he fantasizes about going to school, says the boy’s friend. The narrator’s grandpa offers a predictable yet sweet guess, and the tale ends on this tender moment. The watercolors have a gentle, old-fashioned feel; with their thick lines and soothing, homey scenes, these cartoon images are reminiscent of Howard’s illustrations for Cynthia Rylant’s “Mr. Putter and Tabby” books. The childlike scrawl of the text is particularly endearing. The story is light on action but high on the adorable factor. Lovably scruffy Scooter, his tongue lolling, his head cocked to one side, is irresistible; he and his boy are a winsome pair. The simple text, presented in a large font against white space, may appeal to beginning readers. VERDICT A delightful choice for pet-themed storytimes, as well as for animal lovers making their first forays into independent reading.