After a “ruff day” in which being scorned by big dogs for not being a “true muttropolitan” leaves him feeling “lower than a stick on the ground,” he eats some flowers, strums some tunes, forms a band with a trio of little dogs, and, after sending the big pooches packing, trots out a “pawsome” performance at the “Battle of the Bow-Wows.” And from there it’s on to the Grand Ole Opry to hear his big-haired favorite singer warble out lines from her song “Makin’ Fun Ain’t Funny,” about celebrating differences rather than mocking them. Inspired by musical dreams, Billy heads for Nashville. Promising at the outset that this is just the first of a series of adventures starring her beloved “god-dog,” Parton goes on to hit all the conventional thematic notes.

In this picture book from singer Parton and co-author Perl, a small French bulldog goes to Nashville, joins a band, fends off bullies, and meets one of the queens of country music. Is the duck a descendent of Amelia Bedelia, innocently believing that a flea market contains fleas and that “Rome” means to roam around? Or is he slyly “mak the trip a little more exciting?” Deadpan delivery means there’s no way to tell, and that’s the brilliance of the duck. Next day, they dine heartily on found money-until honest Dodsworth discovers that the duck “found” the coins in the Trevi Fountain. They doze overnight on the Spanish Steps. A chaotic search for the suitcase yields nothing, and without the cash inside it, Dodsworth can’t afford a hotel. In a pizza-throwing contest (“You’re good at throwing food,” comments Dodsworth, and indeed, the duck throws things in every city), the duck sneaks Dodsworth’s suitcase behind a table to stand on, never telling Dodsworth. Ink-and-watercolor illustrations employ tiny smiles and minimalist expressions to underscore the humor. There isn’t one duck in the entire painting.” Moments later, he’s on the ceiling with white paint, remedying that omission. Peter’s Square, he comments dryly, “I feel smaller than usual.” Inside the Sistine Chapel, he notes placidly, “That’s weird…. The duck-still wearing an acorn beret from Paris ( Dodsworth in Paris, 2008)-is the motor for most of the laughs. |a When Dodsworth sets out for adventure, including a stop in New York City before going to Paris, London, and beyond, he does not expect a crazy duck to stow away in his suitcase and lead him on a merry chase.Egan’s understated, hilarious travelogue continues as Dodsworth and his duck pal explore Rome, Italy.

Dodsworth in Paris by Tim Egan