SMELLY PEGGY

Meet this pungent pooch!

A youngster named Pie introduces readers to the family pet, Peggy, a rescue dog who is small with curly gray fur. Pie informs us that while Peggy may seem nice, she’s actually quite naughty. Whenever Pie, Mom, and Dad take Peggy out for a walk, Peggy grabs sticks that are so large that they knock the legs out from under the whole family. But the naughtiest thing Peggy does is roll around in foul-smelling things, such as seaweed, washed-up trash, and…poop! After Peggy returns home and gets her poopy smell all over the rug and Pie’s clean pajamas, it’s time to wash up. Peggy dislikes showers, so when she’s all done, she makes sure to shake off, splashing water all over the place. In spite of it all, her family loves her. Light on plot, this book is ideal for dog lovers, since it’s basically an ode to one particularly mischievous canine. Told from Pie’s perspective, the conversational text engages readers with some “What do you think?” questions (“But do you think we love her? Do we?”). It also provides little ones opportunities to shout out “PEGGGGGY!” along with the family. Young Pie shows some responsibility by bathing Peggy. The quaint watercolor and crayon illustrations play with perspectives, much like a modern take on Ludwig Bemelmans’ style. The three-person family is pale-skinned and red-haired.

Simple and pretty cute.