On the Road Again: Bubba and Beau Go Night-Night by Kathi Appelt

In the second book of the Bubba and Beau series, Bubba and Beau Go Night-Night, it's a great day in Bubbaville. Big Bubba heads out to do some errands and straps both little Bubba and his little hound Beau in his trusty red pickup Earl and off they go bye-bye with a "Yeehaw," "Wheee," "Aroooo" and a "Toot Toot!"

Bubba and his crew hit all the hot spots in town as they sing along with radio station KBOB, shoot the breeze with Jim Bob, Roy Bob, and Billy Bob, shop at the Feed & Seed and Sam's Fruit and Vegetable Stand, hit the P.O. for some patriotic stamps, and top it all off with cones from the Freezee Deluxe.

Trouble is, it's been such fun that when Big Bubba and Mama Pearl are ready to turn in, the two li'l cowpokes just can't hang it up for the night. Mama rocks and sings til' she's plumb knackered until Big Bubba pulls on his britches and takes the two night owls out for another spin in ol' Earl. Finally Bubba and Beau are too tuckered even to wave at Claudine the window girl at the Freezee Deluxe, and it's home again for a mighty needed night-night at last.

Howard's priceless portrayals of these fine human and dog families are just bursting with the joy of daily life with young'uns, and Appelt's text lays down a bass line that just keeps the story rockin' on.

More fun with Bubba and Beau can be found in their newest book Bubba and Beau Meet the Relatives. Mama Pearl sweeps all the puppy and baby toys under the bed and gussies up little Bubba to show him off to Grandpa Bubba, Grandma Ruby, Aunt Sapphire and her baby Arlene. But when the babies crawl off to play in a first-class mud hole, there's only one thing to do. Big Bubba fills up the bed of his pickup truck Earl with water and the whole family enjoys a cleansing Texas hot tub. This third book is arguably the best yet, but it's all so much fun you'd rather just rare back and let the critics do the arguin'.