A man and his dog wearing bathrobes around Boston is an appealing place to start a story, and Arthur Russell Smith makes that little quirk feel perfectly at home in The Robe Squad. This children’s book follows Artie and Gizmo, two companions who enjoy watching boats, sharing everyday routines, and being together. When an evening walk brings them face to face with a tiny mouse who needs help, their familiar world opens up to someone else’s needs. It’s an easy premise for young children to follow, with a gentle sense of curiosity and a clear invitation to notice the lives around them.

Smith’s writing has the friendly, unhurried feel of someone telling a child a story while sitting beside them. Short sentences, repeated references to being together, and animal sounds give adults plenty of opportunities to vary their voices and invite listeners to join in. The bathrobes add a playful touch, especially because Artie treats his dog’s outfit as an ordinary part of their shared life. The emphasis on kindness is direct, and some of the dialogue spells out feelings that the pictures already communicate. Still, the characters’ affection gives those exchanges warmth. For preschool listeners, the familiar language and steady pace should make the story comfortable to revisit.

Craig Orback’s illustrations give this picture book a lot of personality. The harbor scenes have pink and peach skies, reflections on the water, sailboats, and brick buildings that make Charlestown feel like a particular neighborhood. There’s plenty to look at beyond the main action, from window boxes and passing pedestrians to the objects tucked onto shelves inside Artie’s home. His bright blue robe and Gizmo’s pink one keep the pair easy to spot across the pages. Orback also uses scale effectively: the small animals’ faces and bodies draw attention to their vulnerability beside the human figures. Alternating broad scenes with closer views encourages readers to pause, notice expressions, and spend a little longer with the pictures.

I liked how naturally the book connects companionship with paying attention. Artie and Gizmo’s closeness establishes a reassuring starting point, and the story makes room for children to think about what another creature might be feeling. It’s well suited to a shared bedtime reading or a preschool conversation about caring for animals and recognizing when someone needs support. The author’s note adds a personal connection by explaining the real experience that inspired the story and his fondness for Charlestown and bathrobes. For families who enjoy gentle animal stories, this is an inviting read with an affectionate central pair and illustrations worth lingering over.