Buster Goes to Cowboy Camp (review)

When Brown Shoes, the owner of Buster the dog, goes away for the weekend, it's off to doggie "cowboy camp" for Buster. Despite being greeted by Red Boots with "a big cowboy howdy" and receiving a snappy blue bandanna, "Buster was not happy. Buster was homesick." Of course, as Buster's stay progresses he gradually settles in, and though the book ends before he is reunited with Brown Shoes, things look pretty positive for the canine camper. Eleven short, titled segments tell Buster's story in a chapter-book-like manner suitable for early readers as well as reading aloud, and a glossary of "cowpoke words" is included on the back cover. Although the camp activities seem, for the most part, appropriately dog-centric (the dogs play with balls and help gather sticks for the campfire), Buster's worries and his subsequent adjustment to camp life will surely resonate with any human kid who's had an extended overnight stay away from home. Fleming's pulp paintings are vibrant, warm, and reassuringly solid, and the paprika-colored, medium-sized Buster emotes quite successfully through the varied positioning of his pointy ears (almost bunny-like in length), nose, and tail. Round up the kids (and maybe even the dogs) and share this one around the campfire.