Starred Review On one side of a backyard fence, a lonely dog howls at the moon. On the other side, a girl brings peanut butter crackers in hopes of befriending him. She returns every evening with books to read, stories to tell, and snacks to share with her new companion. When she and her parents go on vacation, the dog feels lonelier than ever. After they return, she assures him that seeing him is the highlight of her day. Discovering a gap in the fence following a thunderstorm, the dog runs to the girl's house and howls. Her mother calls his owners, who have seen the child reading to him and offer to let her keep him, creating a happy ending. The narrative flows well and tells a moving story. One magical aspect of the book is that although the dog doesn't understand the girl's language, after she reads or tells him imaginative tales, he has vibrant dreams in which the two friends share adventures. With warm colors, curving lines, and rhythmic repetition of forms, the mixed-media illustrations beautifully portray the setting as well as the main characters and their growing friendship, while the richly detailed dream scenes have a more otherworldly quality. A heartening picture book.