A French bulldog with two dads is hesitant about his new brother, but grows to love him.
Told from Pickles’ first-person perspective, the book begins before the new pup’s arrival, when Pickles has the run of the house, lots of toys, and three beds. One day, however, he and his dads travel back to the farm where he was born, where they get a new puppy. “They say he’s my new bother. Brother?” Pickles ponders.
The dads name their new pup Ocho, a Spanish word, because one of them is from Mexico. “Do I have to share my papas with Ocho?” Pickles complains. he remains unsure as Ocho joins him in the papas’ bedroom at night and at breakfast in the morning. Pickles discovers that Ocho likes to play, though, and that’s fun for them both—but when Ocho later wants to snuggle, Pickles says, “I’m not ready. Still gotta have my space. For now.” Eventually, however, all of them settle into a new routine as a family of four. “My family has changed but it feels all right,” reflects Pickles. Ocho still bugs him occasionally, but Pickles says he’s “learning a lot about how families share with one another.” Nevertheless, “I have a great life!” he concludes.
While I hope we also see similar tales with all-human families (since many LGBTQ-inclusive stories about new siblings use animal analogies), children who are themselves learning to accept new siblings will likely empathize with Pickles’ experience. Pickles is an engaging protagonist happy to share his world, and illustrator Tou Yia Xiong’s bright, distinctive images help bring the pups’ antics to life.
