Barker's Doghouse 2: Leave It!

The second book in a charming and funny early middle grade series about a boy finding his way in a new place with the help of some talking dogs. A little bit New Kid, a little bit Secret Life of Pets.

The doghouse dogs are NOT happy when they hear that Gio’s mom is taking in a foster puppy. Puppies destroy everything. Their tiny teeth are deadly!

Luckily, Gio has a special power to help Bean feel at home—he can talk to puppies! Pretty soon, Gio’s mom thinks he’s some kind of genius dog trainer. Gio’s sure this means he’ll get everything he wants for his birthday this year.

But what happens when the puppy chews up Gio’s perfect birthday plans?

None of the daycare dogs are happy when they hear that Julie, Gio’s mom, will be taking in a foster puppy. Puppies destroy everything, the older dogs tell Gio. Their tiny teeth are lethal!

But Gio, of course, has a special power to help Bean, the pup, get acclimated. He can talk her through everything! Soon his mom thinks he’s a genius with the pup, and his reward will be a special birthday trip back to his old neighborhood.

The only thing is that Gio’s new friends are planning a party for him at the same time. So, just as Bean must learn to leave things alone, Gio must think about learning to leave some parts of his past behind. Maybe this year is a good time to start some new birthday traditions?

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs