James Howe

Houndsley is feeling very down. It is not because the weather is gloomy or his sweater has holes in it. He is sad because he does not know when his birthday is. When he shares this with his best friend Catina, she realizes she does not know her own birthday either, and suddenly both of them are feeling blue. But best friends have a special talent for cheering each other up. Instead of staying sad, Houndsley and Catina decide to find a thoughtful and creative way to solve their birthday problem. They soon discover that you do not need a specific date on the calendar to celebrate the people you care about. This sweet and gentle story shows how true friendship can brighten even the saddest of days.

Catina the cat dreams of becoming a famous, award-winning writer. Her best friend, Houndsley the dog, is an incredibly talented cook who dreams of winning the local cooking contest. They always support each other, but sometimes being a good friend means knowing exactly what to say, and what to keep to yourself. When Catina hands Houndsley her seventy-four chapter memoir to read, he is not sure how to tell her the truth about her writing. Meanwhile, when Houndsley's big cooking competition turns into a total disaster, Catina must find the perfect words to comfort him. Through three sweet and funny stories, this delightful duo navigates the subtle dance of friendship. Filled with ginger tea, firefly watching, and compassion, this chapter book beautifully captures what it means to truly care for a friend.