LYLE WALKS THE DOGS

The genial reptile’s first new outing in 12 years also debuts an illustrator working in her father’s naïve cartoon style. To a rudimentary plot in which Lyle walks one more dog each day for ten days before taking a well-deserved rest she adds not only a growing contingent of canines—each with a distinct look and personality, which is revealed in a thumbnail bio on its first day with Lyle—but tucks balls, bowls, hydrants and other easily findable and countable items into each urban scene. Though given the stance and proportions of a human in an animal suit, Lyle provides a bright-green visual anchor for each picture, and if there isn’t much in the way of humor or conflict here—even when being pulled along he looks controlled and confident, although he clearly doesn’t like the way Snappy sets the pack to barking—at least there’s plenty for pre-reading children to tally and a familiar figure to welcome back. (Picture book. 3-5)