Conahan reworks the well-known words to the traditional Christmas carol to feature a canine crowd, beginning with “a pug puppy under the tree.” There are French poodles instead of French hens, collie dogs rather than calling birds, golden retrievers in place of golden rings, and so on, all worked around three children who are wrestling with the “best friends” question. The growing collection of canines gathers in a park along with the three children, and as the number of dogs increases, they become a performing troupe of dancing, drumming “yapping yippers.” A final frenetic spread shows all the dogs performing sophisticated tricks in three-ring–circus style, with the last page announcing an upcoming world tour. Children who like to find all the items in each category on a page will enjoy counting up the canines, each illustrated with flair in watercolor and ink. The new words to the old song provide a catchy alternative for musically inclined dog lovers, and there’s a marmalade cat on every page to keep the cat lovers happy as well. (Picture book. 3-7)
