Tan-skinned Nancy and her dachshund, Roger, are planning to see a Broadway musical: Dogs! The Musical! (composed by Andrew Woyd Flebber). As they approach the theater, they see Candy, the poodle star of the show, standing outside, tied to a fire hydrant. Nancy pets Candy and even holds her leash, but when she lets go, Candy takes off. She leaps into a taxi and heads for Central Park, where she visits its famous zoo. Nancy and Roger are hot on her heels, but Nancy’s dismayed when they lose track of Candy in a huge parade. Finally, she spots Candy being carried aloft by a bunch of colorful balloons. Trailed by a group of curious dogs, Nancy and Roger follow Candy to the Statue of Liberty, where the pooch becomes entangled in Lady Liberty’s torch. Is a rescue possible? While the plot may be paper-thin, kids will enjoy this lift-the-flap story’s satisfying ending and frenzied pace, though adults—especially New Yorkers—will most appreciate the setting, the iconic landmarks, and the winking homage to Cats. The colorful mixed-media illustrations are cheery, and the flaps and foldouts make for interactive fun; the final page features photos of a little girl and a dog, presumably the real-life models for Nancy and Roger.
