Through the eyes of a dog, life is full of simple pleasures: a walk to the park, greeting birds and squirrels in a way that makes them scatter, and running at full speed when let loose at the park. Then, upon the return home, snuggling up on the lap of a special person. Cooper is quite content with his simple life. He loves the daily walks, the creatures he greets and the runs he takes. He even loves sniffing the wildflowers that grow along the path between his house and the dog park. True contentment comes after the walk when he snuggles up with Mommy for a nap. Being with Mommy is his favorite place to be.

Debbie Gonzalez’s picture book story, A Walk with Cooper, is a charming story that will appeal to young readers as they snuggle up next to their favorite person, be it Mommy, Daddy, Grandma or Grandpa. With its bright and cheery illustrations and simple language, this book makes a great learning-to-read, early reader. While Cooper’s story centers around his daily pleasure of a walk to the dog park, it emphasizes the importance of the loving bond between a pet and its owner, one that both take seriously, for Mommy obviously enjoys the outing as much as Cooper. The story is a lesson in unconditional love, unbreakable bonds and the importance of caring for one another even in the simplest manner such as respecting a dog’s need for a daily walk and loving attention.