A Lucky Author Has a Dog

An author describes the habits, pitfalls, and quirks of her work, with her scrappy fuzzy dog close at hand. The dog stays nearby when she’s writing and joins her for walks past brownstones, cafes, and a bookstore, lovingly depicted in illustrations infused with a sense of calmness. For all Ray’s emphasis on the pleasures of having a dog, the book is really about the routines of a writer—school visits, idea-gathering, odd hours, etc. It may demystify the writing life for some curious readers, but it’s an oddly rambling, inward-looking attempt to do so. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Robin Rue, Writers House. (Aug.)