HELLO, TOBI!

A friendly pup greets many different families on his walk.

Tobi, a tiny dog with brown crayoned scribble-scrabble fur, lives with his family: a bespectacled, brown-skinned youngster with sprightly pigtails and two adults, one pale-skinned, one darker-skinned. The happy trio, plus Tobi, head to the park, where Tobi sees “small families with big dogs,” “big families with small dogs,” “families that look alike,” “and families that look different from one another.” Each page highlights a diverse group whom Tobi proudly trots past as everyone shouts out greetings. Of course, there’s one family Tobi loves most of all: his own! The people are diverse in terms of race, culture, and ability but co-exist in joyful harmony—and of course, the dog breeds vary as well. The text doesn’t call attention to these differences; they are a natural part of the loving, familiar community that Tobi sees every day. Carefully considered and ebullient in emotion, Cáceres’ art is the real star. Digitally created with scribbled textures, hand-drawn patterns, and collage elements, the illustrations zing with energy, all originating in Tobi, the one goofy little pup who brings everyone together.

Readers—especially dog lovers—will delight in this everyday slice of life.