A Day with Dogs

Working in a cheery style reminiscent of Richard Scarry (to whom the book is dedicated), French author-illustrator de Monfreid (Shhh! I’m Sleeping) shows dogs of breeds engaging in all sorts of activities normally reserved for humans. Each spread introduces a different environment or concept, along with associated objects. During a visit to the doctor’s office, a stethoscope, syringe, and other items are labeled, and a smiling poodle with a broken leg looks on the bright side: “I always wanted crutches.” Quips and conversations, captured in speech balloons, offer light laughs throughout. “I look best in yellow,” offers one dog, squirting itself with a tube of paint in an art class scene that explores color mixing. It’s a personable introduction to useful concepts, and attentive readers will enjoy getting to know the specific dogs in the bustling scenes. Ages 2–5. (Mar.)