Bridget the rottweiler wants to take a nap, but Lulu, a bouncy terrier, announces, Playtime! The problem is Lulu's play often leads to Bridget getting scolded. Bridget is a true friend, however: after striking out on her own, she comes to the rescue when Lulu gets in a tight spot. Baker's realistic, occasionally awkward, watercolors capably depict the dogs' loving if sometimes fraught relationship. From HORN BOOK Spring 2004, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

All Bridget the Rottweiler wants is to be left alone so she can "practice her snoozing." But along comes trouble in the form of Lulu, a sparkplug of a pup. "Playtime!" calls Lulu as she topples a vase and yanks clothes off the line-misdeeds for which Bridget gets a bad rap (and a stern admonition from her owner: "You bad dog! Outside right now!"). Despite some static portraits (and even seemingly impossible ones-as in the picture of Bridget carrying Lulu) and some awkward compositions, Baker's (The Third-Story Cat) watercolors convey the underlying affection between the two canines. Lulu is not unlike a pesky little brother or sister, clamoring for attention and getting away with murder. After Bridget succeeds in shaking off Lulu, the Rottweiler remembers the fun they've had (a series of spot illustrations shows them romping and tumbling) and "knew she had to go back for Lulu." Although the prose and pictures may be stiff, that likely won't stop readers from enjoying a tail-wagging story of friendship and loyalty. Ages 3-8. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

PreS-Gr 2-Rambunctious Lulu is always getting her friend Bridget into trouble. Finally Bridget storms off in a huff and retreats to a dark, quiet movie theater full of comfortable chairs. But her peace and quiet are broken when the film begins, prompting tagalong Lulu to throw back her head and sing along. At first, Bridget is happy to flee the scene, leaving her pal behind to take the blame, but then she remembers all the fun they've had together and goes to Lulu's rescue. The simple, child-friendly text consists of no more than three short sentences per page. Baker's winsome representations of rottweiler Bridget and terrier Lulu are rendered in smudgy, floodlit watercolors that direct attention to the dogs' bright eyes and expressive facial features. An uncomplicated story of friendship, perfectly suited to young readers.-Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.