CHARLES OF THE WILD
by John Hassett & Ann Hassett & illustrated by John Hassett & Ann Hassett
In an exuberant paean to freedom, a pampered house dog hears the call of the wild, but can only dream longingly of running with the wolves and howling with coyotes until an open window offers escape. Charles, a small white blob (a Westie?) of a dog, enters a world of trash, stray cats—and a seedy gentleman who shares with him a jelly doughnut, leads him to the park, and takes him home. Charles hurtles joyously down quiet city streets, flees toothy cats, chases a horde of frisky squirrels, and is last seen bounding high above the sidewalk on what becomes a daily walk with his new friend, with the blessing of his owner. An engaging and very doggy story from the Hassetts (We Got My Brother at the Zoo, 1995). (Picture book. 6-7)