The best flower ever!

Comparison proves the thief of joy in this tale from Hudson (Turtle in a Tree) about a sweet-natured dog learning to nurture their own "best" thing. An enthusiastic pooch sporting a red gingham bandana can't wait to show off the beautiful, lovely-smelling potted flower they hold in their paws. But though a chihuahua-like acquaintance in a natty blue sweater is admiring, they've got a flower of their own to share--one that's much bigger ("That is... humongous") and grows in a fancier pot ("I bejeweled it myself"). Soon, a passel of pups engage in an escalating game of can-you-top-this, each boasting via colored speech bubbles about their respective blooms' magnificent qualities ("My flower potty trained the cat!"). But when a moment of one-upmanship results in a mishap for the protagonist's plant, the whole canine crew pulls together to cultivate the special varietal, honoring the protagonist's own crushed flower--and feelings. Hudson's delicate watercolor and colored pencil art populates a sunny green meadow with exceedingly expressive pups, as well as birds and a frog who regard the goings-on. The mix of sly and silly, which captures the dynamics of a visually detailed dog community and includes a couple of late-arc gags, is just right to elicit laughs. Ages 3--7. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (June)

A pup takes pride in a flower until others show up with better ones. Decked out in a plaid bandanna, a spotted dog happily holds up a tiny potted daisy. "Would you like to see my beautiful little flower?" A Chihuahua yaps that it is lovely but then brings out a great big sunflower. The original pup droops. "That is…humungous." Desperate for validation, the dog asks a passing hound, "Doesn't it smell lovely?! Please tell me how lovely it smells!" The hound agrees but then brings out some lavender. Everyone swoons. More and more pups come, each proclaiming the attributes of their flowers (one even says, "My flower potty trained the cat!"). (All the canines pause in consternation.) In spare text, broken into color-coded speech bubbles, Hudson deftly explores the feelings of jealousy and frustration that often ensue when we compare ourselves to others. Luckily, these doggo pals come together in the end, realizing each flower is special in its own--helpful--way. The anthropomorphic dogs cut hilarious figures in the watercolor-and--colored pencil artwork; a poodle with an oversized hairdo and a bespectacled Great Dane are especially fun additions. There is also a subplot to be discovered in the illustrations; follow the antics of the frog and two birds for extra chuckles. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A gentle reminder that there are more important things than aspiring to being the best. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.