RUTHIE

A pampered pooch yearns to explore the world beyond his garden.

All hail Prince Ruthie, who enjoys pancakes for breakfast, wears sparkly butterfly clips, and lives in a “castle” (a modest brick house) with a doting queen, a pale-skinned woman with platform sandals, unshaven legs, and poufy gray hair coifed in a matching style to Ruthie’s. Although Ruthie adores living in luxury with his queen, is her protective pampering holding him back from adventure beyond the castle walls? When the opportunity to escape presents itself, Ruthie sets off to find out what royal surprises await in the forest beyond his garden. But it soon becomes clear that the real world is different than his home—and certainly smellier—and Ruthie discovers that the animals he meets aren’t quick to obey his royal commands. The journey home to his queen is full of quirky encounters, each animal’s dialogue begging to be read aloud in its own silly voice. Young fans of the fancier things in life will enjoy Ruthie’s princely observations and will be tickled by his goofy personality (and facial expressions). Both text and the stylized, mixed-media art, which often contradict each other to delightful effect, are packed with charmingly odd details; this is a celebration of authenticity and friendship not to be passed up. Be sure to keep an eye out for a familiar fox friend from Shapiro’s Ooko (2016) throughout.

An eccentric royal adventure that will leave youngsters smiling.