Honey & Leon Take the High Road

Quintessential New York dogs Honey and Leon are back for another adventure, this time tailing their travel-happy parents Cummings and Shaffer (The Adventures of Honey & Leon) to Scotland. The dogs concoct elaborate disguises to avoid detection (Leon picks jaunty hats; Honey favors a vintage Hollywood look), but the dads aren’t fooled at all: “They understand that dogs are only really happy when they’re protecting their humans.” Arriving on the island of Barra, Honey has a fling with a dashing collie (“I know yer no’ here for long, so let me show you ma island tomorrow!”), leaving little Leon to keep watch over their parents. But plot is really beside the point: this is a celebration of panache and leading one’s best life, whether canine or human. Shaffer’s watercolors have the unbridled optimism of travel posters and fashion illustrations: a scene of London at night is washed in gossamer blues and greens, Edinburgh is portrayed as a nonstop pink-hued carnival, and everyone is balletically long limbed and interestingly dressed. An effervescent offering. Ages 3–7. [em]Agent: Luke Janklow, Janklow & Nesbit. (Apr.) [/em]