DOG TALES

In her debut, singer/songwriter turned children’s author LaLance offers the adventures of talking canines on a farm in bucolic Bluebird County.

The arrival of Piper, an energetic, well-meaning Airedale, disturbs the predictable routine of black Labrador Dixie and her sedate, wise mother, Sadie. Piper has a knack for finding trouble, and soon, Dixie and Piper get into misadventures involving the other farm animals and rely on Sadie to sort things out. As a result, Sadie experiences stinging bees, nervous chickens and irate roosters. One day, Piper and Dixie happen upon a lost puppy named Princess Susan. They introduce their tiny new friend to the joys of the countryside—stealing hikers’ picnics, swimming in cold streams and napping in the warm sunshine—but she is soon homesick for the royal life at her castle home. Dixie and Piper decide to help Princess Susan find her way back, confronting real dangers along the way before reaching the story’s happy ending. LaLance first recounted the dogs’ adventures as a bedtime story for her oldest child, and this written version is the first of a projected series of similar tales. This story of farm life featuring mischievous, anthropomorphic animals and brightly colored illustrations will likely delight very young children. The book may need to be read aloud to younger children, as its reading level may be too high for beginners. Overall, the book illustrates the power of friendship in finding one’s way—both figuratively and literally.

A sweet, simple story that will engage youngsters.