SHMOOF

Can Shmoof and Floof get along?

Meet Shmoof! This extremely fluffy brown pup is…well, “shmoofy.” “Super shmoofy” at that. And Shmoof wants nothing more than to befriend Floof, a kitty who is “floofy”—indeed, “the floofiest.” Shmoof has plenty of skills: finding tennis balls, leaping in pools, and becoming extra shmoofy after a blow-dry. But Floof’s too busy to acknowledge Shmoof’s tricks; Floof has “better things to do”—like knocking over a plant (into Shmoof’s bowl). But these two very different roommates finally unite over a common enemy: the dreaded vacuum cleaner! When their owner decides to do some cleaning, both pets flee, then find a way to put this infernal device out of order forever. “Maybe Floof can be friends with Shmoof. Maybe Shmoof can stay.” The final spreads depict the two playing, sharing a meal, and at last curling up for a snuggle…but what’s in that box marked “Robo Vac 6000”? “Uh-oh.” McKinnon’s follow-up to the adorable Floof (2024) is an equally sweet new sibling tale. Her digital illustrations rely on scribbly textures and plenty of white space; they almost fluff off the page. Brief, understated text allows the visuals to tell the story, and the animals’ use of body language is spot on, from Floof’s arched back and upright tail to Shmoof’s play bow.

Proof paw-sitive that dogs and cats can become the best of friends.