Milo and Monty

A family adopts two puppies and finds that the two dogs grow into quite different personalities. Monty has brown fur and a confident, outgoing nature. Milo has golden fur and is shy and afraid of loud noises. He doesn't like to be hugged and likes staying in safe, enclosed spaces. His owners, a single mom and her two kids, wonder whether Milo is happy with them. When their relatives come to visit, the family notices similarities between their cousin Henry and Milo. Henry is also shy, doesn't want hugs, and withdraws to a quiet spot under a desk along with Milo. These differences are pointed out in dialogue in a matter-of-fact style, and the family later concludes together that Milo is happy in his own way. This calm acceptance of a cousin and a dog who are not like others in the family is conveyed in an understated, loving way that encourages empathy for differences. The mom and her children who own the dogs present white. Their visiting relatives are an interracial family with a white dad and a mom with brown skin; their children include a son with brown skin and two younger children with light skin. Both the human and canine characters gain personality from humorous illustrations full of the details of a busy family life with two dogs. Some kids and some dogs are different, and this book wisely encourages loving them just the way they are. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.