Dog and his friends live in a world of exuberant color, full of splashes and splatters, but Dog himself can be a little tiresome. Ladybug, Mole, Goose, and Donkey suffer patiently through his everlasting boasting: he can run faster than Mole, dig better than Goose, and outdo the other two as well. Cousins (Yummy
) conveys the mixed feelings Dog's big talk creates: “I feel sad,” says Donkey. “Me, too,” agrees Goose. “Actually...” Mole says, “I can dig holes much longer and much deeper than you, Dog. So I win. I'm the best.” Sure enough, when the tables are turned, all the animals can top Dog in some way. Stung, Dog has a low moment (“I'm just a silly show-off”) and apologizes. The friends embrace and comfort him (“you are the best at having beautiful fluffy ears”), and in no time, Dog is off again (“Obviously having beautiful fluffy hears is the most important thing. So I AM the best”), his true temperament reasserting itself. Dog's reversion to type will evoke either one last giggle or a groan, but the message hits. Ages 2–5. (May)
