Like Pixar films, Stick Dog has a child level and an adult level of humor. Stick Dog is a philosopher, and consummate manager of his tribe. He understands that they are not very smart (Karen thinks she is getting taller, when in fact the puddle in which she is standing is evaporating on a hot day), but never makes them feel bad about it. He works with them on their level to achieve the desired group goals. Plus, there is food involved. And squirrels.

While this lacks the complete and total brilliance of Stick Dog leading his tired band of friends up the hill in Stick Dog Slurps Spaghetti, it makes up for it with the kindness the dogs show in their concern for the dog being beaten by a stick, and with the goofiness of trying to get into the tree. I also adored the humans getting into the taco delivery, and the dogs having to watch out for them but ultimately getting the food for their own!

I want to bring Stick Dog and all his friends home and give them nice soft beds and regular feedings of healthy kibble, although I would keep a tiny jar of instant coffee around so Karen could have an occasional tiny sip. And a barbecue potato chip from time to time. This series has a few more titles in the work, and I will be excited to share them with readers who enjoy Peirce's Big Nate, Tashjian's Einstein, the Class Hamster, and Ahn's Pug Pals. This is a fantastic series for preschool children to have read aloud, but even my 8th graders find the adventures of Stick Dog and his friends to be hysterically funny.