Snow Dog, Sand Dog

Can an imaginary dog be enough when a real one isn't an option? As in Lou Berger and David Catrow's recent Dream Dog, Singleton and Golden believe the answer is yes. In her first picture book, Singleton (the Seer series) introduces a girl named Ally who wants a dog, but "dogs made her achoo!" Instead, Ally creates dogs out of snow, flowers, sand, and leaves as the seasons change; each one magically (or imaginatively) comes to life and follows her home. Debut illustrator Golden has fun with each dog's transformation in her mixed-media artwork%E2%80%94when Snow Dog becomes "real," he's as big and fluffy as one might expect, and Sand Dog's generous curves echo the mounds of sand used to create her. Ally's friends are dismissive of her invented pets, but she's never anything less than content, and she isn't even upset when they vanish with the changing seasons. For kids with both canine and outdoor allergies, Singleton offers a craft-based pet idea at book's end. Ages 4%E2%80%937. Author's agent: Jill Corcoran, Jill Corcoran Literary Agency. Illustrator's agent: Shannon Associates. (Mar.)