The Bedtime Book for Dogs

In lifestyle expert Littlefield's picture book debut, a brown-and-white dog addresses readers (human and canine) directly, narrating a story about a solo outing he takes one day because his owner, aka "friend," is busy. The dog is responsible ("He fetched his leash. [He could carry it himself]") and conscientious ("He stopped at the corner, looked both ways... then crossed the street"), but because he has no friend with him, he finds the park lonely: "The good dog found a stick. But there was no friend to throw it." With its thick outlines, bright colors, beady canine eyes, and endearing dog's-eye viewpoint, debut illustrator Heath's artwork recalls Mark Newgarden and Megan Montague Cash's Bow-Wow Bugs a Bug (2007) and its companion books; blocky, upper-case text gives the pages a feeling that's half comic book, half primer. Words and commands familiar to dogs (lie down, treat, squirrel, good dog) lace the text and provide potential opportunities for interactivity with pets; kids are more likely to be attracted to the art and the novelty of the dog's narration than to the very basic story he tells. All ages. (June)