Raymond

The doggy wears Prada? Kind of. The Le Bec brothers (Danny) introduce a brown dog named Raymond who has a "pretty nice" life with his human family: "They always saved him a snug little spot by the sofa, scratched behind his ears in just the right place, and, every year, threw him a surprise birthday party." But Raymond dreams of more and begins to "act more and more like a human," joining his family for cupcakes, cappuccinos, and trips to the movies. Inspired by his new perspective ("The world looked different on two feet, bigger on two feet"), Raymond accepts a job at Dogue magazine as a "rover-ing reporter," working late into the night typing up stories. The Le Becs' chic digital illustrations are just right for the busy, glamor-tinged life Raymond embarks on, which culminates in his becoming a TV news star, before realizing that he had it pretty good when he only needed to worry about chasing balls and having his belly rubbed. It's an entertaining "be careful what you wish for" story, albeit one that may speak more to overworked parents than their children. Ages 3-7. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

A dog explores a career in journalism, then decides there are better things (for a dog) to do.It all begins when Raymond, a happy dog lavished with TLC, has "a rather BIG thought for a dog" and decides to join his human family at the dinner table. This behavior naturally leads to "cappuchino-and-cupcake Saturdays at the caf," a successful job interview at DOGUE magazine, and, after a spell as "rover-ing reporter," celebrity status on the Dog News channel. The cartoon-style illustrations surround Raymond, a chocolate-brown spaniel, with diverse casts of urban dogs and peoplethe latter led by his mixed-race human clanas he goes from interviews and editorial meetings to frantic pre-broadcast makeup sessions. Ultimately, though, it all becomes "a bit too much," and after rediscovering the pleasures of chasing a ball, having his belly scratched, and getting his paws dirty with digging, he concludes that work can wait on the sort of "dog's life" that combines such play with cozy get-togethers on the sofa. What makes it all worthwhile? Getting "your ears scratched in just the right place." (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.