Mister Bud Wears the Cone

Canine buddies Zorro and Mister Bud return in their third picture book, and because Mister Bud can’t stop licking his “bad hot spot,” he gets saddled with the ultimate doggy humiliation—the cone. At first, energetic Zorro is annoyed by all the attention Mister Bud is getting, but soon he finds the situation hilarious. (It’s hard to blame him—there are few things as funny-pathetic as Mister Bud’s futile attempts to munch on scattered dog treats while his head is ensconced in the lampshadelike cone.) Readers’ hearts will be with Mister Bud, and his good-natured patience is eventually rewarded, even as Carter hints that Zorro may be in for some just deserts. Ages 4–8. (June)