RUFFLES AND THE COZY, COZY BED

What’s a scared pooch to do?

Ruffles, a white puppy with a dark spot around one eye, is back, and once more, he has definite opinions. He loves howling, scratching, sniffing, chewing, and many other doggie pastimes. But he’s not so fond of loud noises—those make him crouch and creep and skitter and run. Worst of all is when loud noises happen at night! And when they’re accompanied by a boom and a flash and a crash, it must be a thunderstorm. Those make Ruffles want to hide. But where? He attempts to conceal himself behind a towel, under the cupboard, in a laundry basket, and even under a colander…but none of those are “quiet, cozy, and safe.” Ruffles gets an idea, though: His basket bed is all those things, especially with his cushion and his blanket. There, he weathers the nighttime storm and is able to get back to all the things he loves in the morning. Melling’s charming, headstrong puppy confronts fears in his fourth outing, which is sure to comfort little ones scared of storms and other noises. The author/illustrator once more relies on digitally colored pencil drawings; brief, endearing vignettes depict Ruffles’ various favorite and not-so-favorite things. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Fans of this adorable pup will giggle their fears away.