PERLA AND THE PIRATE

In this howlarious sequel to celebrated novelist Allende’s picture book Perla the Mighty Dog (2024), a superheroic pup comes to the rescue again.

When a new boy moves in next door, Nico Rico and his pooch, Perla (who narrates), dub him the Pirate (because everything from his Vespa to his guitar case is adorned with a skull and crossbones). Nico, big sister Liz, and Perla can’t wait to meet him, but Dad doesn’t approve. Thanks to some magic dust left behind by a wizard who once resided in the hiding place under the stairs, Perla and Nico gather the courage to befriend the Pirate, and soon they’re jamming out at his band practices. One rainy day, Nico’s frustrated after waiting to be picked up from school and walks home alone—and quickly gets lost. A frantic search party ensues, and Perla jumps into action. Using “superpower number two” (roaring like a lion), the plucky pooch recruits Liz and the Pirate to find Nico. Like the first book, this humorous follow-up serves up plenty of laughs thanks to the superhero pup’s confident, dry narration. Though the plot is a little unfocused, it nevertheless maintains fuzzy good feelings throughout. Rodríguez’s bright watercolor-and-ink illustrations once more complement this narrative’s cheerful disposition perfectly. Nico and his father have light-tan skin, his mother and sister present white, and the Pirate is brown-skinned.

Another woof-worthy adventure.