Clydeo Takes a Bite Out of Life (Clydeo #1)

Actor and producer Aniston bases her picture book debut on her real-life rescue sheepdog, a social media favorite. Little Clydeo, with fluffy white fur and brown ears, yearns for a “special talent” like his family members have (“Uncle Clydester loved to surf. Auntie Clydette dug up dinosaur bones”). His elders happily mentor him, but while Clydeo is inspired by how they discovered their passions, he stumbles in attempts to follow in their footsteps. Readers are tipped off early that Clydeo is a whiz in the kitchen, however, and when his mom requests help for a big family party, Clydeo not only cooks up a storm, he also gets a “warm feeling in his belly” and realizes his catchphrase—“Take a bite out of life!”—aligns with his purpose. It’s a familiar story of finding one’s calling, with Clydeo’s large doggy family giving Brazilian creator Jacob plenty of leash for comical anthropomorphized dog portraits. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)