CHESTER THE OUT-OF-WORK DOG
by Marilyn Singer & illustrated by Cat Bowman Smith
Busy caring for the sheep, Chester is happy on the farm; but then his family moves to a city apartment. The frustrated Chester starts rounding up people: he forces four garbage collectors into a restaurant, five firemen into a fountain, and so on; herding a girls' softball team into the boys' bathroom is the last straw. Chester, predictably, redeems himself: dolefully setting out for his old home, he happens on a lost class of children (in sheep costumes, yet) and shepherds them back to school, winning himself a new job as crossing guard. Contrived but briskly told, and the human analog may provide some insights in these hard times. Smith's lively, comical illustrations effectively convey the characters' feelings, especially the appealing dog's. (Picture book. 4-8)