Stick Dog Dreams of Ice Cream (Stick Dog #4)

Gr 3-6--Stick Dog, Karen, Poo-Poo, Mutt, and Stripes kick off this story in the woods, where they are trying to beat the heat by sticking to the shade. It soon becomes evident to Stick Dog, the most intelligent of the crowd, that he and his pals are in need of a stronger solution, lest they all melt. They soon spot an ice-cream truck and devise a plan to cool off. The stick illustrations throughout are good, goofy fun and will attract readers who can't get enough cartoon-style illustrations amid a middle grade romp. Stick Dog is a slightly condescending narrator, though readers will likely overlook this in favor of the other dogs' humorous quirks. Familiarity with the previous books isn't necessary, but expect readers who pick it up to look for the rest of the series. VERDICT A solid purchase for reluctant readers or for libraries looking to build up a section of titles in the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" vein.--Ashley Prior, Lincoln Public Library, RI