Stop Bugging Me! (But That's What Friends Are For)

Smudge, a scribble of a dog who looks just like his name suggests, is annoyed with the nosy smear of a guinea pig who keeps following him. "Listen, Piggie. I have stuff to do. Okay?" grumps the dog in a speech bubble. The story is set on a background of notebook paper, and after additional loosely defined creatures join the queue ("What is this, a parade?"), Smudge reveals that he has to make a private (and slightly embarrassing) purchase. Smudge is utterly relatable in all his cranky glory—a worthy disciple in the school of Oscar the Grouch. Ages 4–up. (Sept.)