Charlie the Ranch Dog
(Charlie the Ranch Dog)

A droopy-eyed basset hound is the star of the first children's book from Drummond, best known for her Pioneer Woman blog and subsequent books. Perhaps the most self-deluded ranch dog since Hank the Cowdog, Charlie introduces himself and Suzie, the younger, more energetic dog on Drummond's ranch. While lazy Charlie contemplates chasing a cow out of the yard, Suzie gets the job done. As Charlie sniffs under the porch steps for interlopers and finds none, Suzie gives chase to a squirrel she's found in the same spot. Charlie seems unaware of the impish chipmunk that deGroat, with characteristic humor, sneaks into each spread. Her paintings drolly portray the discrepancy between reality and Charlie's perceptions of his day, during which eating ("I can't be expected to do all this work on an empty stomach") and napping ("I must have accidentally closed my eyes for a few seconds") are high priorities. Adult readers will recognize in Charlie's voice the understated humor that has made Drummond's blog so successful; kids should find it irresistible. Ages 4-8. (May)

PreS-Gr 2--Charlie, a lovable layabout basset hound, believes, "Work. . .is what I do best." His friend Suzie, a young terrier, has boundless energy and zips around the ranch chasing squirrels, rounding up cattle, and fetching baskets of vegetables. Despite his proclamations, Charlie's real penchant is for eating ("Breakfast is my life") and napping ("Huh? What'd I miss? Oh. I must have accidentally closed my eyes for a few seconds"). But he springs into action when he is needed most and chases Daisy the cow out of the garden with a loud, hound-dog howl. DeGroat's winsome illustrations capture Charlie's daily routines, including sniffing the porch steps and snoozing in the grass. The comic irony of the text will amuse readers, and Charlie's quirks will win many fans.--Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada