Fergus' imagination keeps churning in this fifth entry in the remarkably consistent Canadian series. Looking for an activity to fill their summer afternoon, dog Buddy's idea of a nap is nixed by hedgehog Earl's insistence that "the good citizens of this fair city expect more from . . . crime-fighting superheroes Wonder Buddy and Super Earl." Calling on their real-world strengths of positive thinking and shredding paper (and their pretend powers of flying and laser-beam eyes), a hat becomes the Earl-mobile and the neighbor's yard an evil villain's secret lair. From this creativity comes a dramatic rescue and a promising friendship with the new dog and cat next door. The emotions, reactions, and hubris of the characters ring true to human kids' experiences. Sookocheff's cartoon-style gouache illustrations in a brown, green, and blue are just right, and the layouts vary from full-page spreads to graphic novel style panels, keeping the action and readers' interest moving right along to a well-deserved nap.

Friends Buddy (a large dog) and Earl (a hedgehog) return in their fifth adventure. While playing at superheroes one afternoon (Earl's idea, of course; Buddy just wants to take a nap), they meet their neighbors, bulldog Mister and cat Snowflake. When Snowflake gets stuck in a tree, the friends must pull off an actual daring rescue. As ever, the humor shines through the minimal acrylic illustrations and deadpan text.

PreS-Gr 3 Best friends Buddy the dog and Earl the porcupine are back as "crime-fighting superheroes Wonder Buddy and Super Earl." While the pooch is ready for a nap, his prickly comrade informs him that, "Unfortunately, the good citizens of this fair city expect more from us." He then proceeds to take a call from the mayor on his invisible phone, in which he learns that "the Evil Doctor Stinker has escaped from prison" and is "planning to close down the only hamburger factory in town." The Earl-mobile, aka Mom's new gardening hat, takes them to the evil villain's secret lair, aka the new neighbor's yard, where they meet a bulldog named Mister and a nimble white cat called Snowflake. While demonstrating her own superpowers, Snowflake slips and the dynamic duo, sporting capes and masks, must come to her rescue. Despite a few setbacks, they succeed and then invite their new friends over "to play Lick the Recycling Bin sometime very soon." The illustrations, rendered in acrylic gouache on watercolor paper, capture the humorous antics of the four friends in a palette of lime green and light blue and muted gray and brown on white. Share before recess to inspire adventure and cooperation on the playground. VERDICT This fun story celebrates friendship and the power of imaginative play. Barbara Auerbach, formerly at New York City Public Schools