Stop Bugging Me! But That's What Friends Are For

Envision a piece of ordinary notebook paper with a simple pencil shading of an animal marching across the page. Meet Smudge, a dog, who is trying to go on a private errand. As he sets off, Piggie the guinea pig, gets in line behind him and wants to come along for the adventure. Now Smudge is not happy about being followed and he makes that clear. "Smudge, where are you going?" "Someplace.... I don't want any guinea pigs following me." All of the words are in bubbles and all of the animal friends, Foggie, Wormie, Squirmie, etc. are drawn as finger smudges or dark shadings or mere pencil lines. But they have character nonetheless. This looks like something a child would do in class instead of paying attention....a casual cartoon drawing. But, it rises to greater heights with the addition of animal after animal all who want to come along and join in. Smudge wants none of it. He isn't very kind. In fact, he's accused of being rude and having gotten out of bed on the wrong side. What will save the day here? What else could but the word underwear? We all need 'em and we're all gonna get 'em. Everyone wants to belong and fit in and be a part of the gang and no matter how different we are, we all have some things in common...like underwear. The drawing of all of the animals on the return trip sporting their new undies will delight many a young reader and especially those routinely don't get a kick out of a book. This one they'll want to share. A combination of humor and the universal feeling of wanting to be a part of the gang. 56 pages Ages 5-8