Set in Paris, and told from the point of view of animals who make this wonderful city their home, this book is transportive, to another place, yes, but even better in these times, to another way of life, one outside of human concerns. Featuring a dog who has lost her master, an intrepid horse who ran away from the racetrack, a raven, a couple of ducks, and a little boy who crosses their path, Smiley deftly navigates this tightrope while remaining fairly realistic and never veering too far into the “cutesy” realm. This book is a delight to snuggle up against, like your favorite pet.