THE TALES OF CHARLIE WAGS: PHILADELPHIA

Charlie Wags visits the City of Brotherly Love in this delightful continuation of Wells and Barclay’s picture-book series.

Charlie Wags is an adorable, sandy-haired dog with an extraordinary secret: With the wag of his tail, he can magically transport himself to any location. This time, he’s off to Philadelphia, “the very place where, years ago, a nation came to be.” Charlie visits many iconic locations, including the Liberty Bell, Rittenhouse Square, and Pat’s & Geno’s, where he boldly declares a tie between the two competing cheesesteak vendors. He even finds time to sprint up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, pumping his paws à la Rocky Balboa. Eventually, worn out from a lovely day of sightseeing, Charlie wags his tail and arrives back home with a new photograph to hang on his wall. Co-authors Wells and Barclay narrate Charlie’s story in rhyming couplets, giving the text a musical flow that makes it enjoyable to read aloud. Sjöström’s two-page-spread watercolor illustrations are dazzling, gorgeously depicting the city in its springtime splendor. The text is often stylized (the word tall is stretched out, for example), making the words look as dynamic as the images. The front of the book offers a map of the city’s landmarks; a “Paws and Learn” section at the back includes additional fun facts for curious readers.

A charming picture book that will inspire children’s wanderlust.