Claude on the Slopes

K-Gr 2—Children who have yet to discover Claude, the small, plump dog with the nifty red beret, and his sidekick, Sir Bobblysock (who is both a sock and quite bobbly), are in for a delight. Claude and Sir Bobblysock have had previous adventures in the city, at the circus, and at the beach, but when they venture into a winter wonderland, mayhem and hilarity ensues. Smith has created whimsical characters with verve, and the dynamic duo manage to get themselves into and out of tricky situations on the slopes, culminating in a treacherous avalanche. The feel of the series is distinctly retro, with black-and-white duotoned digital artwork accented with shades of gray, red, and pink. The delightful illustrations are plentiful and somewhat cartoonlike, with Claude's eyebrows floating above his head and Sir Bobblysock wearing earmuffs. The short chapters will keep young readers giggling and rooting for the dog with the giant nose and his unlikely best friend.—Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA