MURPHY MEETS THE TREADMILL

Ziefert and Bolam (Clara Ann Cookie, Go to Bed, not reviewed, etc.) have combined their talents again to introduce Murphy, the burly yellow Labrador who loves to eat. Murphy is Cheryl’s charge, and he likes nothing better than lying on the porch, rising only to accept any morsel tendered his way. And there have been many morsels, enough to find Murphy tipping the scales at 95 pounds. “ ‘You definitely need to diet,’ Cheryl scolded.” So she gets her pooch a treadmill. Understandably, Murphy is a tad reluctant to start burning the calories, but Cheryl insists. Murphy begins to shed the pounds and catches the eye of the neighborhood dogs: “Look at that build” and “He’s no couch potato.” Then the newspapers get hold of the story and Murphy gets plastered all over the front page. “ ‘Clearly, this was just the beginning. Soon I would be famous. And rich!’ ” says Murphy. Well, maybe, but there’s no denying Murphy’s charm, nor Ziefert’s infectious, lighthearted spirit, which Bolam snares with her simple, rosy paintings. (Picture book. 4-8)