Archie the hound looks forward to the surprise he has been promised by his human family. Will it be the friend he has always wanted? When his owners bring home Max, the new baby, Archie finds himself being ignored. Finally, his extended family attempts to make up for months of neglect with a series of misguided activities. Still longing for a companion, Archie realizes that Max has gotten old enough to be “the perfect friend” (31). Full-color illustrations with a surreal twist add a humorous, bizarre dimension to the story. Children’s Magazine Best Books of the Year; Parents’ Choice Award Winner. chs

Every dog needs a best friend Archie wants someone to play with - a friend who will throw a ball for him to catch. One morning his family leaves the house promising a surprise when they return. Archie is hopeful, but, remembering past surprises, he's not overly optimistic, which is a good thing because they only bring home a baby named Max, who leads everyone to forget all about Archie. Poor Archie feels left out . . . that is, until little Max becomes the perfect friend.
Hilarious, colorful, and richly imagined pictures provide a highly original twist on a classic theme in children's literature.