A DAY IN THE LIFE OF MURPHY

Murphy-stop-that is the name of the terrier who tells this story, in which, appropriately, since it depicts a day in the life of a dog, nothing much happens. There's the fixation with food and the smelling out of mice and a trip to the vet's . . . but don't expect a lot of plot here. Narrator Jason Harris zestfully enacts the dog's frenzy of joy over food smells, his panting voice, his inner struggle over trying not to bark, and his yappy little bark that cannot be suppressed. Provensen is a well-known illustrator, and her pictures, along with Harris's lively rendition of the canine, are sure to strike a chord with dog owners. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 06]