Go Home Flash

Flash, the rascally dog from Bad Dog Flash, has no interest in hanging out at home in this sequel. Paul’s staccato, repetition-driven text reflects Flash’s single-mindedness as he follows the family’s father to a bus stop (“Too late. Shut gate. Sit. Wait. Mean Gate. Jump gate!”) and rolls around in garbage before dropping by the local school (“Sniff smell, find smell, good smell, strong smell!”). Soft mixed-media artwork gives the sense of a cozy town where everyone knows everyone (and everyone knows Flash), while underlining the idea that loving a dog like Flash might not be easy, but it’s worth it. Ages 3–up. (Oct.)