Peanut, Butter, & Crackers Puppy problems

Crackers and Butter, a dog and cat who live a peaceful life with their human, are suddenly thrown a curveball in the form of Peanut, a puppy. Simple but effective cartoons and black-and-white frames deliver the tale of Crackers and Butter adjusting to tiring days with the new puppy, who needs help with everything they take for granted. The old hands needing a little time to accept their new fur-family member drives the plot of these slice-of-life stories. The creator has experience drawing Peanuts cartoons, and it shows in the delightful way she captures everyday moments. The whole thing is hand drawn, including the speech balloons, frames, and sound effects, and the backgrounds are minimal, only detailed enough to give the reader a sense of place. And like adults in Peanuts, the human doesn't even have discernible speech. Puppy Problems is heart-warming and gives readers a glimpse at the perspective of pets who are adopted into a loving home and, after a little adjustment period, choose to extend that familial love and friendship to a new dog.

Squirrel wars, furballs, and a new family member are just a few of the problems pets face in this humorous graphic novel for younger readers. Crackers, a dog with a big to-do list--barking, napping, peeing outside, barking again, and sniffing stuff--lives with Butter, a wise cat who fantasizes about boxes and can openers. The two live in harmony until their human (seen only as a pair of light-brown hands) brings home Peanut, a panting puppy who pees on the floor, eats Crackers' food, interrupts nap time, and keeps both Crackers and Butter up at night. After their human leaves them alone with Peanut and a disastrous mess of garbage, strewn toilet paper, and chewed shoes, books, and furniture results, they think that this will end Peanut's stay. When Peanut receives only a finger-wagging, Butter devises a plan that ends with Peanut lost and alone. Readers, especially those with pets, will find comedic recognition in the antics of these three furry friends and pleased satisfaction when Butter's and Crackers' moral compasses kick in, Peanut's rescue creating a bond that brings the three together. With humor that is observant and good-natured, Braddock's engaging comic-book paneling and pacing are an ideal match for early readers ready to delve into something a little longer. (Efird contributes the colors.) The banter between Crackers and Butter reveals genuine affection between the two, and Peanut's puppy earnestness is endearing. An easy handoff to animal lovers. (Graphic fiction. 6-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.