The three characters are equal in their importance and all are naturally aspects of moi. As Monica explains: “Both books are ensemble pieces, to borrow a phrase from the movies. Young readers will enjoy each of the three main character’s bigger-than-life personalities - and teachers may challenge students to think about which one they connect with most. I also knew that Madame Croissant would have to change careers, from owning a gift shop to owning a bakery on wheels so that the story had a reason to take place in the kitchen.” Where did the idea for this sequel to Merci Mister Dash! come from? Monica Kulling told me: “It was a challenge to write a second book, but I knew I wanted to do it and that I wanted to set the story in Madame Croissant’s kitchen because I loved Esperança Melo’s illustration of the yellow and blue tiled floor in Merci Mister Dash. In Mister Dash and the Cupcake Calamity (Tundra, 2013) Mister Dash, alas, is required to help out when Madam Croissant’s 500 cupcakes, freshly baked with the messy but enthusiastic “assistance” of Daphne, are in danger of not reaching their destination intact. And of course the gallant Mister Dash steps up, racing to the rescue to save Daphne from danger. Too well-mannered to refuse, Mister Dash endures, bow tie in place, until one Sunday, more is required.

That’s when Daphne, an extraordinarily loud and active young girl, takes over the house, spending the day with her grandmother, gift-shop owner Madam Croissant, but also requiring Mister Dash to be her playmate. Mister Dash, a rather fastidious pooch who wears a vest and eats his popcorn one kernel at a time, does not look forward to Sundays. Merci Mister Dash! (Tundra, 2011) is a rollicking picture book story that hooks us right from the first page.

Four Seasons of Patrick by Susan Hughes