The Imposter by Kelly Collier (review)

Reviewed by: The Imposter by Kelly Collier Kate Quealy-Gainer, Editor Collier, Kelly The Imposter; written and illus. by Kelly Collier. Clarion, 2023 [40p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780358697060 $19.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 4-7 yrs Lonely Skunk would do anything to be loved and cared for like the many dogs he sees in the park, so when he finds a Missing poster for a dog named Max, he's gobsmacked: why would any animal run away from a loving family? But Max's disappearance gives Skunk an idea; with the help of a squirrel, cat, and raccoon, Skunk disguises himself as Max. Unfortunately, a streak of black paint, socks for ears, and a decent roll-over routine can't stop Skunk from, well, skunking when he meets Max's family. He realizes that Max probably makes a better fit for humans anyway and sets out to find the missing dog with his new buddies. The sweet story of found families is thankfully given a little bite with the squirrel, cat, and racoon trio, who are all clearly living their best humanless lives. The cat's perpetual side-eye and general disregard of people will be familiar to feline owners, while the overeager, bouncing squirrel and the food-focused racoon feel true to life as well. Digital illustrations cleverly balance full, saturated spreads with more focused vignettes, giving readers a sense of the comings and goings of the neighborhood while highlighting Skunk and pals' shenanigans. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois