Up Dog

Hutchins creates basic phrases by pairing present-tense verbs with the word “up” to describe a splotchy dog’s activities. When the dog “dig[s] up” a bone and proceeds to “muddy up” the house, the dog’s owner (whose face is never shown) has to “pen up” the pup. The owner’s clean-up efforts take over several spreads, and before long, the dog is back to its old tricks. A warm portrait of the special (and often messy) relationship between dog and person. Also available: Up Cat. Ages 1–4. (May)