EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE YOU CAN LEARN FROM A DOG

A dog takes the lead in this cheerful, confidence-boosting picture book that delivers life lessons with a wagging tail and zero pretension.

Structured as a series of short, punchy lessons—”Greet each day with enthusiasm,” “Be patient,” “Play nice,” “Shake it off!”—this breezy, conversational book directly addresses readers as fellow members of the pack. One standout spread pairs the lesson “You’re cute just as you are” with a bustling city sidewalk crowded with an irresistible parade of dogs in many shapes, sizes, and coat patterns—a dalmatian, a bloodhound, a fluffy Pomeranian, a greyhound—each one strutting alongside an equally diverse cast of humans. Lechuga’s colorful and friendly illustrations, created in Photoshop using handmade textures, have a warmth that feels distinctly tactile, and her particular gift for rendering hair—whether a child’s tight curls, a sheepdog’s cascading mop, or a golden retriever’s silky ears—gives every page a satisfying richness. The wide variety of children and families depicted ensures that most readers will find someone similar to themselves somewhere on these pages. The lessons themselves are simple and earnest, delivered without moralizing, and the cumulative effect is genuinely uplifting.

A buoyant celebration of self-acceptance and joyful living; readers of all ages will linger over every dog-filled page.