Chapter one heralds the arrival of Bubba, the beloved son of Big Bubba and Mama Pearl. Chapter two introduces Beau, puppy of hound dog parents Maurice and Evelyn. Both of these offspring live remarkably parallel lives, with doting mothers, and fathers who loudly proclaim their joy of parenthood, from Maurice’s baying “Ar-ar-aroooooo!!!” to Big Bubba honking the horn of his trusty pickup truck “Toot! Toot! Tooooooooot!” Not only that, but both Bubba and Beau travel on all fours, like to chew, are not housebroken, are fond of mud, and detest soap. A glorious friendship between them is inevitable. Arthur Howard’s humorous illustrations of humans and hounds are a perfect match for Texan Kathi Appelt’s fond caricature of southern life. To sum up the fun: “One perfect baby. One perfect hound. And a lot of commotion!” (Ages 3-6)