Just Right for Two

PreS-K—Dog carries a blue suitcase everywhere he goes; it holds all of his special things. A stick, a button, a feather, and a pinecone are just some of the treasures stored inside. After playing with them the whole day, he sits down to watch the moon rise. "'I have everything I need,'" he tells the stars, and so he snuggles contentedly off to sleep on top of his suitcase. Waking the next morning, he finds he is not alone. During the night, Mouse has curled up to sleep on the suitcase as well. Dog doesn't like that, "'because all my special things are in there." Mouse promises to leave after one small peek inside. That eventually leads to a game of hide-and-seek, and then Mouse goes on his way. Suddenly lonely, Dog sets off to find him, deciding that friendship is far better than the contents of his suitcase. They soon discover that the top of the suitcase has plenty of room for two. This is a pleasant tale, enhanced by the endearing and expressive characters. The soft mixed-media illustrations use a touch of collage as well as colored ink. The layout is suitable for sharing in groups or for one-on-one reading.—Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA