ROLLO BONES, CANINE HYPNOTIST

In Moyer’s debut, Rollo Bones is a canine hypnotist, and his owner, The Amazing Brain, profits mightily from his pet’s talent and renown. On stage Rollo hypnotizes people, making them act like chickens, for example, but offstage he begins to resent the stresses of constantly being on tour. He misses his past life as an ordinary pup, when the Brain played with him and gave him dog biscuits and hugs. Rollo attempts to run away, but there’s no place to hide. He decides on a more effective way to change his life at home, and uses his skill to switch roles with his master, and to help other dogs in similar predicaments. The pastel illustrations are large and personable, smudgy for children seeking out individual facial characteristics, but colorful. The story slows down in the middle, while the ending is bound to elicit lots of chuckles. (Picture book. 5-8)