"Hudson, a plucky terrier, can't wait to meet some French dogs while
spending a year in Paris. Though Hudson sees many other dogs running
errands with their owners, everyone is "so busy going places" that he
isn't able to make friends. When he finally finds a dog park, another
obstacle arises: the dogs only speak French ("Oh great," Hudson thinks.
"I thought all dogs spoke Dog"). Hudson slowly absorbs the French
language (thanks to lessons from—who else?—a French poodle), and debut
author Mancuso includes a sprinkling of French words throughout, which
are defined in a glossary. The story showcases Mancuso's playful,
gouache paintings of Paris and its human and canine denizens (Hudson
appears in roughly half of the images), and she gives Hudson a bold,
amusing narrative voice tinged with self-righteousness ("Are you kidding
me?" he grumbles, seeing a no-dogs sign at one park), and he ends the
story on a droll note, announcing that he's becoming a real Parisian—"I
mean Paris-chien." Ages 3–6.
