BED HOG

Bailey, a little pooch with teddy-bear appeal, gets kicked out of one family member’s bed after another. Just as he gets comfortable in one bed and starts to snooze he hears, “Move over, bed hog dog!” and scampers off to find another place to rest. In the end, he discovers that even though he’s considered a bed hog he is still needed to provide a good cuddle. Using minimal text, the story flows in a comic-book manner, single-and double-page spreads combining with broad horizontal panels to depict poor Bailey's nocturnal rambles. The charcoal-and-acrylic illustrations lend to the cartoon style, though the broad, smudgy outlines contribute a softness that's not usually found in comic books and it is also well-suited to a book that's essentially about cuddling up. Through the artwork Bailey shows different emotions: surprised by a crying baby, contentedly cozy and mildly put out at being displaced—though, true to doggy nature, he bears no grudges. The family is mostly clueless as they try to get a good night’s sleep, too. A serviceable bedtime story that will win over dog lovers, it's also a great book to help children master their narrative skills, as so much interpretation is left up to readers. (Picture book. 3-6)