ROSEMARY LONG EARS

A delightfully different dog and her owner go for a walk.

Rosemary’s smooth brown ears flow out well past her low-slung body. Her best friend, a brown-skinned child, dons red boots (matching the color of Rosemary’s leash) so they can “go find some fun!” On a pleasant suburban walk, they puddle-jump, share laughter, and observe a ladybug. Eventually, covered with leaves, seeds, mud, and ice cream, Rosemary is “a mess!” (Those long ears are a magnet for dirt.) Reluctantly returning home, she complains vocally (“AwOOOOOOOO!”) about her much-needed bath—until a floating bubble lands on her nose. Popping the soapy spheres brings back her playfulness, and even though Rosemary’s post-bath shake-off scatters water widely, the child applauds: “You make everything fun, Rosemary!” Rosemary’s upbeat attitude makes this book a ray of autumn sunshine. Distinctive gouache and crayon art, naïve and cheerful, matches the mood. Maps on the endpapers use paw prints to trace the friends’ route on a rainy but colorful fall day. Rosemary’s long eyelashes give her an almost human look, though she isn’t otherwise anthropomorphized; she’s immensely vivid as she prances through the book like a real, beloved pet.

This perky pooch will have youngsters adopting a similarly positive perspective.