With one tremendous effort, Ribsy sprang from the tub and raced frantically down the hall, trailing water and violet- scented bubbles behind him. Never had he met such confusing people as these five children, who were whiling away a rainy afternoon by giving him a bubble bath. Although his mean, hungry flea no longer bothered him, he could now smell nothing but violets. If it had not been for that flea under his collar, Ribsy might never have been in this predicament, lost from Henry Huggins without any means of identification. Luckily Ribsy did not know he would have many other wildly unpredictable adventures before he and Henry were reunited. There have been many stories about lost dogs, but none like this one. Writ- ing from Ribsy's point of view, yet never losing touch with reality, Beverly Cleary finds hilarious material in the trials and tribulations of a city dog making the best of his separation from home. The illustrations by Louis Darling sharpen the humor and create unforgettable characterizations of Ribsy's would-be helpers.
--front flap