Gr 3-6 The town of Redhart has a special citizen: the most adorable, polite pooch you've ever met. He's a canine who does his owner's shopping, without a leash or a human in tow. And when a lonely girl named Jo befriends this lovable hound, everyone assumes she's his owner. Not that Jo minds this mistake, but soon, one small fib has spun into a web of lies, and she even gives the dog a name: Pawcasso (the first name that springs to mind when he winds up a model for a children's art class). With Pawcasso's help, Jo learns to make friends, discover new hobbies, and even address the wound left by her father's frequent work trips. But what happens when Pawcasso's real owners discover what Jo's been up to? And what does all this have to do with irritable Mr. Iccc, the neighborhood's resident dog-hating crank? The story line is reminiscent of Kate DiCamillo's Because of Winn-Dixie , while the artwork recalls the goofy expressions of James Kochalka's comics. The culmination is a tale with bright, cheerful illustrations and an abundance of heart to match, as Jo grapples with resentment, forgiveness, and the power of community. This book might not be for every kid, though; its loftier themes might fly over the heads of some readers, while those more invested in Jo's journey may be put off by the occasional toilet humor. Jo is pale-skinned with short black hair, and her town is racially diverse. VERDICT A page-turning delight, and a must for dog lovers. Matisse Mozer, Los Angeles P.L.

Lai's finger is always precisely on the pulse of kid humor (see Pie in the Sky, rev. 7/19; Fly on the Wall, rev. 9/20), and she provides laughs galore in this graphic novel. Joanna "Jo" Lin just wants to escape her house, where she feels the absence of her dad (who works overseas) and acutely notices the presence of her vexing siblings. One Saturday, she follows an extremely capable dog running errands downtown. A class of art students immediately mistakes Jo for the owner, and they convince her to bring the pooch (whom Jo, inspired by the curriculum, dubs "Pawcasso") each Saturday to model for the group. What begins as a weekly art class grows into genuine friendships, and the mystery of Pawcasso's true owner unfolds in layers, encompassing an off-leash petition that polarizes the town and provides a B-plot family drama. Lai excels at visually and verbally conveying Jo's anxieties through humorous and resonant gags. A strong reliance on black ink outlines will remind older audiences of classic syndicated comics by Bil Keane or Patrick McDonnell, while Lai's expert attention to angles and perspective makes even small moments cinematic for younger eyes. Move over, Jeff Kinney! Niki Marion

Starred Review Jo is bored and lonely at home, and she has spent most of her time looking outside as other kids enjoy their summers. One day she sees a dog walking along and carrying a basket, and she's intrigued e has to find out where this dog came from and where it's going! While she's trailing the dog, she runs into her classmates, and the dog is a hit. But when everyone assumes the dog belongs to Jo, she doesn't correct them, since she's finally making some friends wcasso isn't even the dog's real name. Soon her lie spirals out of control, especially when Pawcasso becomes the center of town-wide tensions over a leash law. Meanwhile, Jo is struggling with her dad being away for work. Lai nicely handles the complexity of Jo's internal conflict about her snowballing lie, particularly when the actions of the pro- and anti-leash law groups escalate to mean-spirited levels, and Jo feels responsible. Lai's brightly colored, inviting artwork has easy-to-follow panels and speech balloons, and the facial expressions and body language add depth to the emotional stakes. This cute and charming story of missing family, making friends, and figuring out how to make amends is a fun treat, and the subplot about learning how to mend strife in a community adds meaningful depth.

Jo's little lie of omission becomes a serendipitous opportunity for new friendships.Already lonely on the first day of summer break, Jo Lin spots a dog walking alone while carrying a basket in its mouth. Intrigued by this scene, Jo follows the dog and is amazed when he visits different stores and is given items from a shopping list. At his last stop, Jo is recognized by some children taking an art class and mistakenly identified as the dog's owner. Initially Jo tries to correct their mistake, but the promise of new friendship keeps her from telling the truth. She allows the art class to use the dog as their model, calling him Pawcasso. Pawcasso's increasing notoriety as the shopping dog stirs up attention and prompts a divisive communitywide debate around dog leashing. With each passing day Jo struggles with being honest and potentially losing the new friendships she's come to value. The bright colors and cartoonlike style reflect the lighthearted tone and whimsical elements of the story. Exaggerated facial expressions and dramatic eyes heighten the humor and add quirky charm. Pawcasso is drawn with warm, expressive features that give him an endearing quality. Details of their home life cue light-skinned, black-haired Jo and her family as Asian; her community is populated with a diverse mix of people.Pawsitively charming. (ice cream recipe) (Graphic fiction. 8-12)