SHERMAN CRUNCHLEY

Sherman learns how to be his own dog in a tale that revolves around the ability—or, in Sherman’s case, inability—to say no. Though Sherman doesn’t like police work, force of tradition—long family tradition—is about to land him the chief’s job. He can’t say no and disappoint his father; in truth, Sherman—drawn as an insecure but sweet pooch in Bowers’s ingratiating artwork—can’t say no to anyone. Now, hats—well, Sherman can’t say no to hats, either, but that’s because he likes them so much. After a series of goofy self-help schemes fails to give voice to Sherman’s inner “no,” he decides to let his hats speak for him. Such a little word to create such anxiety, though the authors' point will not be lost on young readers: if you say no, the house will not fall down and family and friends will not flee; this time, the negative has positive potential. (Picture book. 4-8)