Roy Is Not a Dog

This whimsical confection plunges into mystery as light-brown-skinned Weasel, a human newsboy on a red bicycle, wonders about a mysterious resident on Lilypod Lane, “where everyone knew everything about everybody.” In silhouette, the Lollylumbos watch the morning news each day, Ms. Lilac waters her “wilty wisteria,” and “Old man Earl” puts out his milk bottles. But who lives in the house with the fire hydrant hedges and the bone-shaped sign that reads “ROY”? Ornate mixed-media spreads by Shapiro (A Garden of Creatures) linger on the dark curls of Weasel’s hair, the curves of flower blossoms, and the forms of the cacti around Lilypod Lane’s wood-grained homes. When the child, in detective mode, believes he spots a dog frying an egg, Weasel’s friend Pam Pam, a pale-skinned artist in glasses and dramatically coiffed red hair, scornfully dismisses his theory (“Dogs aren’t the only ones with big floppy ears. What about the world renowned chef Croque Dogot? Her floppy ears were legendary”). At last, Roy’s secret is revealed in this gleeful don’t-make-assumptions story from married collaborators Shapiro and Kaufman, which invites readers to view the world with an open mind. Ages 3–7. (Apr.)