Princess Puffybottom... and Darryl

Princess Puffybottom, a dignified cat with a feathery black tail, is not pleased when her two mothers (“her subjects”) bring home Darryl, a light brown puppy with a slurping tongue: “He was horrible. He was disgusting. He was an animal!” She rejoices when it seems that Darryl has gone away—but he returns wearing a cone and garners cuddles from their humans. Attempts to frame Darryl don’t work, and the princess is left despondent. But she begins to notice the dog’s good qualities: he’s useful when it comes to getting into the garbage and, anyway, he “worshipped her.” A final spread reveals a new surprise: the couple has added a newborn child to the family. Mueller’s frisky digital cartoons flaunt the pets’ differing personalities, making their eventual coziness all the more tender. Ages 3–7. [em](Feb.) [/em]