All Bridget the Rottweiler wants is to be left alone so she can "practice her snoozing." But along comes trouble in the form of Lulu, a sparkplug of a pup. "Playtime!" calls Lulu as she topples a vase and yanks clothes off the line—misdeeds for which Bridget gets a bad rap (and a stern admonition from her owner: "You bad dog! Outside right now!"). Despite some static portraits (and even seemingly impossible ones—as in the picture of Bridget carrying Lulu) and some awkward compositions, Baker's (The Third-Story Cat) watercolors convey the underlying affection between the two canines. Lulu is not unlike a pesky little brother or sister, clamoring for attention and getting away with murder. After Bridget succeeds in shaking off Lulu, the Rottweiler remembers the fun they've had (a series of spot illustrations shows them romping and tumbling) and "knew she had to go back for Lulu." Although the prose and pictures may be stiff, that likely won't stop readers from enjoying a tail-wagging story of friendship and loyalty. Ages 3-8. (July)
