HANK AND FERGUS

Newcomer Nielsen-Fernlund tells of young Hank, who has developed an effective, if isolating way of coping with the prominent birthmark on his forehead: he imagines he has a pet dog named Fergus. "With Fergus, Hank didn't need any other friends." Canadian artist Laliberté, working in softly luminous colored pencil, renders the stalwart Fergus as a variety of translucent dogs, depending on Hank's whims and needs (Hank goes to sleep in dotted pajamas beside a Dalmatian puppy; when Hank walks past an intimidating group of taunting "big kids," Fergus becomes a large breed). Then one day a boy named Cooper moves in next door to Hank and tries to make friends by showing off his appendix scar. Clearly discombobulated by the overture (Laliberté shows him reaching reflexively to cover his birthmark), Hank goes on the offensive and the two are soon scrapping. But both boys' yearning for connection wins out and, in an ending that acknowledges the importance of both imaginary and real companionship, they become best friends and fellow pretend pet owners. Nielsen-Fernlund is adept at capturing how children spar; she's less assured when it comes to more poignant emotions ("Cooper had a lump in his throat"). Laliberté's paintings however, cover a range that is both emotionally astute and slyly funny. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)