I’m Not Missing

The “I’m” in the title belongs to this book’s protagonist, a canine narrator who appears on a “Missing” poster and initially addresses readers disguised with mustaches worthy of Hercule Poirot. Wearing an expression of perpetual side-eye, the dog details a recent voluntary flight from home and his new life as a “LONE WOLF”: “Trying to be a good boy, the best boy. It’s exhausting... humiliating, even!” Readers will quickly surmise, however, that though the hound didn’t love being forced to perform for treats at home or poop in public, this circumstance is really a case of “be careful what you wish for”—especially when the figure spots his former owner, a tan-skinned youth, walking another pooch. All is eventually cleared up, with the dog last seen snuggled on that owner’s lap, reminding readers that “relationships are all about compromise.” Simpatico collaborators Gourley and Hogan (Poe and Lars) match deadpan, world-weary narration with images of finely tuned comic misery and disdain in this volume—particularly a series of illustrations depicting the many costumes the dog has had to endure. Ages 4–8. (May)