After a “ruff day” in which being scorned by big dogs for not being a “true muttropolitan” leaves him feeling “lower than a stick on the ground,” he eats some flowers, strums some tunes, forms a band with a trio of little dogs, and, after sending the big pooches packing, trots out a “pawsome” performance at the “Battle of the Bow-Wows.” And from there it’s on to the Grand Ole Opry to hear his big-haired favorite singer warble out lines from her song “Makin’ Fun Ain’t Funny,” about celebrating differences rather than mocking them. Inspired by musical dreams, Billy heads for Nashville. Promising at the outset that this is just the first of a series of adventures starring her beloved “god-dog,” Parton goes on to hit all the conventional thematic notes. In this picture book from singer Parton and co-author Perl, a small French bulldog goes to Nashville, joins a band, fends off bullies, and meets one of the queens of country music. The Buddha lurks in the details here: Every word and image comes to make as perfect a picture book as can be. The pictures are as full of peace and solace-and humor-as the text: The title page has the panda dancing in a pair of oversize shorts the cake Addy brings for tea has a stalk of bamboo in it for Stillwater Karl and the panda bow to each other at the end of their day. Karl comes to visit carrying too much stuff for Stillwater’s wading pool, and hears just the right story for him.

(The robber, in the black-and-white illustrations that mark the three stories, is a raccoon.) When Michael comes to visit, he climbs a tree to sit with Stillwater, who tells the story of the farmer’s luck. (“He spoke with a slight panda accent.”) His name is Stillwater, and he tells Addy the tale of his Uncle Ry, who gave the robber who could find nothing to steal in his house his own tattered robe. Michael, Karl and Addy discover a giant panda in their backyard. Limpidly beautiful watercolors and a wry, puckish gentleness mark these three Zen stories, one for each of three children.

Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth