Patch
Like Laura Vaccaro Seeger’s Dog and Bear (2007), Slonim’s title introduces an inseparable pair through three distinct stories. Patch is a sometimes scruffy, sometimes mischievous, and always adorable mutt; Patch’s owner, a little boy who narrates the stories, is the dog’s most ardent fan. In the first episode, Patch can’t resist his urge to chase rabbits and ends up covered in thorns from a prickly bush. Next come fleas: after trying flea collars, flea powder, and a flea bath, the bug-ridden pooch must sleep outside. In the final episode, the little boy trains his dog to sit, catch, and perform tricks, but fear overtakes Patch, who simply freezes up on competition day. Despite these amusing mishaps, the little boy pulls out Patch’s thorns, nestles beside Patch for the night (“What are a few fleas between friends?”), and accepts Patch just the way he is. The cartoonish watercolors highlight both Patch’s comical antics and his endearing bond with his owner. Add this to the growing list of early reader buddies. Preschool-Grade 2. --Angela Leeper