Behar, co-host of The View
, makes her children's book debut with this slim, predictable story about a dog that is part Shih Tzu, part cocker spaniel and part poodle. So young Evie proclaims, "He's a Sheetzucacapoopoo! Let's name him Max." When Evie takes her new pet to the park, the other mixed breeds (a Saint Berdoodle, Chihua-poo and Afghanoodle) refuse to play with him because he doesn't look the same as they do. Their tune changes, however, when Max accidentally upsets a hot dog cart (he becomes "my kind of dog!"). Max, encountering similar resistance from two purebreds, focuses on their commonalities ("We all like to chew bones... chase cats... and sniff poops") and gets mixed-breeds and purebreds alike to join in a game ("playing so hard you couldn't tell the difference between a cockapoo, a schnoodle,... or a King Charles spaniel"). Barretta's (On Top of Spaghetti
) rather garish, animated cartoon art conveys the energy of the cavorting canines. Yet the story's stabs at humor tend to miss their mark and all but diehard dog devotees will find it forgettable. Ages 3-up. (Sept.)
