Doggo and Pupper Search for Cozy

Starred review from January 1, 2023

K-Gr 2-No one loves to sleep more than Cat, but when her humans get her a new bed and throw out her old one, it's up to Pupper and Doggo to help her adjust. Applegate's story may seem simple, but wit and charm infuse every page. Cat's reaction, for example, to losing her old bed is to simply say "I have no choice...I will never sleep again." Put in the right hands, lines like that make this story perfect for a shorter classroom read-aloud. Artwork adds to the appeal as well; the adorable character design and cute reactions create a lighthearted experience, while also adding to the humor. In particular, one scene that shows all the odd places Doggo likes to sleep demonstrates Alder's ability to add humor and whimsy to an already solid text. Numerous and often oversized illustrations give the book an almost graphic novel feel at times. Sentences are simple with easy and repeating word choice, so Applegate's ability to make this piece so funny is all the more impressive. VERDICT A winner and a first purchase.-Peter Blenski

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