THE TALES OF CHARLIE WAGS

In Wells and Barclay’s picture-book series installment, a special dog with a love of world travel visits Europe during the Christmas season.

Charlie Wags may appear to be an average golden-brown puppy, but he has a very special trick: with a wag of his tail, he can travel the world. In a departure from previous titles, the most recent of which is The Tales of Charlie Wags: London (2025), the Christmas season inspires Charlie to visit several international locations, instead of just one. His first stop is snowy, cozy Amsterdam: “Canals, once flowing freely, are now frozen paths that gleam. / As Charlie skates upon them, he twirls through a Christmas dream!” He then dashes to Brussels to enjoy waffles and walk the Grand-Place before a ski trip in the Swiss Alps. Charlie visits Munich and then Vienna, where he enjoys hot cocoa before heading home. This sweet tale is light on action, but heavy on atmosphere. Sjöström’s watercolors transport readers to a glowing wonderland of soft whites, reds, and greens. The protagonist makes for a charming companion for young readers who like just a touch of adventure. The magic is never explained, nor does it need to be. Charlie teaches that, although travel is fulfilling, the return home can be just as wonderful.

A cozy, travel-focused picture book that’s perfect for the winter holidays.