Bruno and Titch: A Tale of a Boy and His Guinea Pig

Dempsey (Bye-Bye Baby Brother!) has a wonderful creation in her narrator Titch, a high-strung, self-aware guinea pig who yearns to be adopted. When a boy named Bruno finally makes Titch's dream comes true, it soon looks like a case of "be careful what you wish for." While Bruno is inventive and well-meaning, he is also a touch oblivious, involving Titch in activities that are "too high or bouncy or fast" for a small rodent. Dempsey has something important to say about being empathetic, but she wisely keeps Bruno's epiphany offstage so readers don't feel clobbered by the message. Instead, they get to see the result of Bruno's insight, which is far more fun and meaningful: an elaborate "guinea pig palace" designed and built by the boy himself, complete with a private "poo hut" and a fruit salad bar. The sense of relief and acknowledgement that the fretful Titch feels upon the big reveal%E2%80%94"In all my guinea-pig life (3 months and 3 weeks), I've never seen anything so incredible!"%E2%80%94is the very definition of a happy ending. Ages 3%E2%80%937. Agent: Penny Holroyde, Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency. (Aug.)