Spunky belongs to brothers Huey and Julian Bates, whom author Ann Cameron has written about in several other appealing easy chapter books. This terrifically engaging dog’s-eye view of life with the Bates family is laugh-out-loud funny as Spunky describes human personalities and dynamics and provides plenty of riffs (or is that woofs?) on life as their canine companion. Too often Spunky’s family can’t understand what he says, and sometimes what he has to say is really important: “Hot Tamale Sauce Flavored Tortilla Chips! They’re soooo good!” When a standoffish cat named Fiona joins the family, Spunky is more than a little jealous (not that he’d admit it). Spunky’s nose knows all. Fiona, he determines, smells like Foolish. But Spunky comes through for Fiona at a dramatic, life-or-death moment involving her foray into the terrifying place that smells of Nothing—the freezer. Cameron’s story is full of waggish antics and wonderful warmth. (Ages 5–8)