The Adventures of Honey & Leon

Honey is a big “rescue mutt” with the airs of a diva, and Leon is a supportive Chihuahua. They live with two human “dads” in New York City, and life is good; the characters are based on actor/author Cumming and artist Shaffer and their own pets, now deceased. When the always-on-the-road husbands take yet another trip, the dogs decide that they’re not going to be left behind again; Honey and Leon believe their dads need to be protected, because, “That’s what dogs do! That’s what dogs are for!” Employing a combination of clever disguises and intensive shadowing, the dogs tail their owners to their seaside destination (one assumes it’s Cannes), preventing a couple mishaps and even grabbing a moment in the spotlight—although readers learn that the dads have been on to them the whole time. It’s a fun premise, breezily told, and Shaffer’s fluid, pastel-hued watercolors exude a cheery élan, whether the dogs are expertly hailing a cab or wearing sunglasses while doing surveillance on their owners at the movies. Ages 3–7. [em]Agent: Luke Janklow, Janklow & Nesbit. (Sept.) [/em]