SMOG THE CITY DOG

Smog, a bright-eyed stray who looks like a Dalmatian in reverse, thinks he has it made after he successfully snatches a bag of food from a sleeping human. He trots triumphantly through newcomer Meserve's playful, urban landscapes, with the gritty texture of pastel chalk drawings on concrete (the actual media is gouache and collage); the streets undulate and loop like ribbons. But other scavengers are "hot on his heels," including a pink mouse, a plump porcupine, a squirrel, a cat and a fox. Then Smog mistakes his reflection in the water for another dog, lets out a defensive "Woof!" and the bag plunges into the water with a "Glug, glug, glug." That's story enough for Aesop, but not for Meserve. She brings all the animals together for a comically Herculean act of cooperation—which requires readers to turn the rectangular book sideways so they can savor the literal length to which the animals go. "A tummy full of food and a park full of friends. What more could any city dog want?" muses Smog, as he and his comrades enjoy a shared repast al fresco. One caveat: the broken-looking typography may be edgy, but at times it can be difficult to decipher. An impressive debut from a thoroughly original visual stylist. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)