I'm Not Missing

March 7, 2022
The “I’m” in the title belongs to this book’s protagonist, a canine narrator who appears on a “Missing” poster and initially addresses readers disguised with mustaches worthy of Hercule Poirot. Wearing an expression of perpetual side-eye, the dog details a recent voluntary flight from home and his new life as a “LONE WOLF”: “Trying to be a good boy, the best boy. It’s exhausting... humiliating, even!” Readers will quickly surmise, however, that though the hound didn’t love being forced to perform for treats at home or poop in public, this circumstance is really a case of “be careful what you wish for”—especially when the figure spots his former owner,
a tan-skinned youth, walking another pooch. All is eventually cleared up, with the dog last seen snuggled on that owner’s lap, reminding readers that “relationships are all about compromise.” Simpatico collaborators Gourley and Hogan (Poe and Lars) match deadpan, world-weary narration with images of finely tuned comic misery and disdain in this volume—particularly a series of illustrations depicting the many costumes the dog has had to endure. Ages 4–8.

Starred review from May 1, 2022
Grades K-2 *Starred Review* Touting the end of having to earn treats with silly tricks, wear cutesy outfits, and endure diets and infringements on personal space ("How would you like someone watching you poop? EVERY. SINGLE. TIME!"), not to mention the cone of shame, a runaway indoor dog righteously trumpets its newfound freedom: "LIVIN' THE DREAM!" But maybe it's not all a walk in the park, what with rainstorms, scary raccoons, and the lack of ear scratches? Plus, a glimpse of the former owner with . . . another dog (A false alarm, as it turns out she's only walking it for someone else. But still.) leads to a reconsideration and a joyful reunion. "What?" says the prodigal pooch, dozing off on a warm lap. "I'm still a lone wolf. Besides, relationships are all about compromise." Hogan's brightly colored suburban scenes show the chubby mutt first as a puppy in a young girl's arms, later watching as she (teenaged, or possibly older) looks sadly at the "lost dog" sign she's posted, then contentedly sharing a sofa at the end fill in the background story nicely. The tone and elevated vocabulary, as well as the art, may speak to older, even adult readers, but younger ones will certainly be reminded of their own gleeful temporary breaks for freedom as toddlers.

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