A Family for Louie

Louie the foodie dog is living a perfect life rich with culinary delights and comforts. He enjoys his favorite restaurants and foods for each meal—like stacks of “raspberry pancakes and bacon” for breakfast and “spicy fish tacos with guacamole” for lunch—and rounds out each night with “a good book, and a hot cup of cocoa.” But as Louie goes about his day, he notices families sharing together the experiences he enjoys, and he thinks a family might further enrich his life. He approaches a few families but finds they’re not great fits—they eat sardines and green Jell-O, or they already have a pet. Then he sees a young girl named Bea promoting a brand new bakery. With a little convincing by Bea, Bea’s mom agrees Louie can come home with them, where he enjoys his favorites—a delicious dinner and sipping hot cocoa while reading—now with the added richness of family. Thompson seems to have had especially great fun dreaming up the ideal food tour, as Louie’s meals and familiarity with the chefs and restaurant scene is enviable. She adds a nice meaningful touch in addressing the desire Louie feels to share and intensify his happiness in a family setting. With moments of good humor, including a familiar dog versus cat encounter, she creates a charming tale celebrating food and family. Her digital illustration style is playful with fun details to notice throughout, like the tip on the counter where Louie enjoys his dessert and the warm lights of the city in the background during his nightly reading routine.