The Dog Who Was (Almost) Perfect by Jack Kurland (The Cat Who Couldn't Be Bothered) is a delightful picture book about a "perfect" dog who derails into a guilt spiral after discovering she's committed a heinous act.
Adorable, pink, long-bodied Doris is "the perfect dog." She can skateboard, fetch sticks, play dead, high-five, swim, and chase squirrels, all perfectly. No matter the weather, Doris begins every morning by waking up Bill, fetching his slippers, and taking him for a walk--until one terrible morning she sees that she's "bitten a hole in Bill's slipper!" Doris panics as a black-and-white cat (Greg, who couldn't be bothered) watches from the bed. Not knowing if Bill will be angry, sad, or both, the dog races outside, where she buries the slipper. Her neighborhood friends find her floppy ears hanging in shame but are unimpressed by her transgression: "we've done much worse." (A small blue dog "set the curtains on fire.") Doris is mollified and hurries home to confess to Bill, who does indeed reassure her that mistakes happen and nobody is perfect. The relieved dog relaxes enough to realize she doesn't "even remember" chewing the slipper... and a page turn reveals the real culprit.
Subversive humor highlights Kurland's message about the unattainability of perfection while also adding a complexity that makes this appealing story an entertaining reading experience. The text is conversational, affirmative, and always supportive. Playful, highly stylized illustrations portray Doris and her canine companions in colorful hues with expressive eyebrows, and ample white space keeps the small pup--and her big emotions--at story's center. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author