Elvis & Romeo

by David Soman, David Soman (illustrator)

From the bestselling creators of the Ladybug Girl series comes a picture book about the misadventures of two very different dogs who become unlikely friends.

Elvis loves to sleep and doesn’t like running around or playing hide and seek. He can’t wait to go the dog park and have a nice, quiet nap.

Romeo loves to rush and race around, howl, and fetch sticks. He can’t wait to go to the dog park and make a new friend.

Elvis and Romeo’s burgeoning friendship doesn't exactly get off to the most promising start when they meet. It seems like they have nothing in common. But little by little, these polar-opposite pooches may just become the closet of canines after all.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Animals, Childrens, Dogs, Storytime, Humor

40 pages, Hardcover

First published May 6, 2025

About the author

David Soman hails from a family of artists, and has been drawing since he could walk (over to the kitchen walls to draw on them). He is the New York Times bestselling co-creator of the Ladybug Girl series with his wife Jacky Davis, as well as author and illustrator of Three Bears in a Boat and The Monster Next Door. David, Jacky, their children, and a big furry dog live in New York’s Hudson Valley. When not working on picture books, shoveling snow, or chopping firewood, David is an instructor at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

Reviews

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 out of 10 biscuits.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very sweet story about two dogs who meet in a dog park. One is very energetic and the other is a grumpy older dog. The younger dog is determined to make a friend and by the end of the story they are friends.

[Natalie Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute! Old grumpy man meets manic golden retriever

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute book about a canine odd couple--one who's athletic and exuberant, the other who's grumpy and reserved. When the pair meet at an (unusually harmonious) dog park, will they find a way to bond or are their personalities just too different?

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a darling book! I love how friendship comes about between the taciturn bulldog, Elvis, and the exuberant labradoodle, Romeo. These characters and this story will steal your heart.

[Michelle Mallette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elvis the bulldog is out with his owner for a drag (Elvis would much prefer to be napping) to the local dog park. Also on his way to the park is Romeo, a boisterous and energetic labradoodle who can’t wait to meet the other dogs and make new friends. Chaos and hilarity ensue as the two meet and an unlikely friendship begins. The digitally created full-bleed illustrations and accompanying text are comical (I laughed out loud several times) as the joyous Romeo persists in trying to win over a recalcitrant Elvis. Think Elf meeting Scrooge: “What a perfect day! Look at those puffy clouds. OMG, that one looks like my toy ducky! What does it look like to you, Elvis?” “It looks like rain.” The pages are too busy for storytime presentation, but this is a great choice for lapsharing and will be pulled out by little hands over and over again. Look for future stories featuring these two unlikely friends from this creative couple. My thanks to the Grand Forks (B.C.) & District Public Library for including this title in its children’s picture book collection.

[CONSTANCE · Rating 5 out of 5]

The duo that brought us the adorable “Ladybug Girl” series is doing it again, this time with two dogs who at first glance seem to be very different. Elvis is a bulldog who verges on being grumpy and Romeo is a doodle who just wants to play and play and have everyone be his friend. But that might not be easy but of course, Romeo persists, and they do find things they can share.
This fun book came out in May, but in August there will be two new titles published as Level 1 Ready-to-Read books: “Elvis & Romeo Visit the Vet” and “Elvis & Romeo Go to Dog School” for children ready to read themselves or families who just want to know what else this woofing duo will do together.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two pups - Elvis is a bulldog and Romeo is a labradoodle. They are polar opposites. Elvis is grumpy and pessimistic. Romeo is yappy and yowly and playful. One day they meet up at the dog park. Romeo decides Elvis would make a great friend and tries to engage him in a game of tag or hide and seek. But then a Frisbee cones flying their way and Elvis, surprisingly, grabs it and saves Romeo from a bump on the head. A dogs gotta do what a dogs gotta do! The two new dog buddies bond over sandwiches and dog treats. Friends for life!

Just a cute book about two dogs becoming friends! I enjoyed Elvis' rhyming litany of favorite sandwiches. The book would definitely be a fun read aloud!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Elvis was on his way to the dog park for the first time. So was Romeo. Romeo couldn't wait to make a new friend.

Premise/plot: Elvis & Romeo are not friends yet....but they soon will be after meeting at the dog park.

My thoughts: I read two Elvis & Romeo early readers earlier this month. This picture book is their origin story--or the origin story of their friendship. All three books appear to be published in 2025. If you are a dog lover, this picture book is super cute and adorable. Elvis and Romeo each have personality. It's an enjoyable introduction to this duo.

[Nicki Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently accompanied my young niece and nephew on a library visit. (They had not spent much time in a public library because of COVID.) The sheer astonishment as they realized “all the books here can be read for free as many times as we want!” made me recall my childhood library memories.

Now onto the book: Elvis and Romeo are unlikely to be friends - or are they?!?! The illustrations were great and the words conveyed each dog’s personality!! Loved it!!

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when opposites get together? Negotiation of differences, as these two dogs demonstrate when they happen to meet at the dog park. They can certainly agree on one thing—food—and combine their favorite ingredients into a friendship sandwich. Cute illustrations of the dogs and their antics make this one a fun book to read aloud, especially if you dramatize the doggy dialogue using goofy voices for Romeo and Elvis.

[Connie T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a Frisbee comes flying their way, stodgy Elvis, a bulldog, grabs it out of the air before it bonks Romeo, a doodle, on the head. This is the ice breaker that Romeo has been hoping for and the start of a new friendship.

Multicultural pet owners and a wide variety of dogs populate the dog park. There's plenty of movement and the dogs' facial expressions are perfect!

[Kayleigh Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, especially as a dog lover. This story teaches us that even though we might be different, we can be friends and love one another. I also love the warm feeling I get from the images used, mainly due to the colors used.

[Elizabeth Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good dog book and this is a really great one. I love seeing the two very different personalities within the dogs. It’s a great picture of how friends don’t have to have all of the same interest and can still be friends.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two dogs that aren't meant to be friends? Yes, please! This one is going to be a joy to read out loud!

[Emily Haage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opposites attract in friendship isn't a new story line, but David Soman and Jacky Davis do it SO WELL with Elvis & Romeo! I love the grumpy/sunshine pairing and the ultimate bonding over sandwiches.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable illustrations and sweet story about unlikely friends.

[Dorothy Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book that begs to be read in voices. Practicing my Grumpy Dog (Elvis) voice now.

[Lynne Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute in some ways, but the voice was quite adult.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storytime book will definitely be a favorite....

[Kiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me smile so much - between the illustrations and the personalities of both Elvis and Romeo, I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet story about friendship between 2 very different pups!

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious! It begs to be read out loud. Highly recommend for K & up.

[Mama Bearian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations but the story seems a little short/lacking.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet dog story with tie-ins for making new friends. The illustrations are perfect!
Use for beginning of school year.
Also, ELA: reading text bubbles.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dog lovers will especially appreciate this amusing story. The illustrations are a perfect match. I would have loved it more without the “OMG”. And I got some new sandwiches ideas. 😊

[Becca]

Darling pictures; I chose to stop when the text contained impoverished language.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Two unlikely dogs become friends over a love of sandwiches and an amazing frisbee catch.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Carol Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed at almost every page. GREAT!

[Y.Poston]

cute puppy friendship