Wagnificent: A New Dog in the Den

Wagnificent #2

by Bethanie Deeney Murguia

Tag along for more Wagnificent adventures with adorable dog, Thunder, and her favorite human, Sage, in book 2 of the young graphic novel series perfect for fans of PAWCASSO and ANIMAL RESCUE FRIENDS.

Thunder loves her life by Sage’s side—together, they make the paw-fect pack! But when Sage invites a foster dog named Byron into their den, suddenly things get a lot more complicated. Byron doesn’t seem to know the pack rules—he's sleeping in Thunder's bed, eating out of her bowl, playing with her toys, and is even stealing love from her human!

Will Thunder find a way to get along with this unwelcome guest? And can she maybe, just maybe, call him friend?

For fans of PAWS and KATIE THE CATSITTER, and anyone who has ever pondered the secret life of their four-legged sidekick, join Thunder and Sage on their newest adventure—and get ready to feel ALL THE WAGS!

*Includes nonfiction backmatter for young readers to learn more about their favorite furry friends.*

Genres: Graphic Novels

160 pages, Paperback

First published July 22, 2025

About the author

Bethanie Deeney Murguia earned an MFA in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts. Bethanie lives with her family and her forty pound lap dog, Thunder, in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has created numerous picture books and is currently working on the WAGNIFICENT early middle grade graphic novel series and a middle grade graphic novel for Candlewick Press.

Reviews

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wagnificent a New Dog in the Den is the sequel to an adorable dog series featuring dog owner, Sage, Thunder. This installment has added Byron, unwelcomely to the mix or should I say den?

Thunder loves being Sage’s one and only. One day Sage helps a friend by pet sitting Byron a small fluffy dog who thinks he’s a big dog in charge. This situation doesn’t go over well in the least little bit for Thunder. Suddenly things have gotten a lot more complicated. Byron doesn’t seem to know the pack rules: he's sleeping in Thunder's bed, eating out of her bowl, playing with her toys, and is even stealing love from her beloved Sage. 
Will Thunder find a way to get along with this unwelcome guest?
I love the cartoon panels entitled Thunder’s rules where he shows how things should and should not be done, for example sharing and how to show you are in charge.
Kids will love Thunder’s worry wind, a little poot out of the rear end when Thunder gets anxious.
I also loved the graphics that depict Thunder’s feelings, the wagometer and growlowmeter.
The use of color, light and dark and exaggerated expressions vividly convey the emotions and feelings of all characters.
This is definitely a book that will grab children’s attention and they will clamor for more adventures of Thunder and Sage.
I see this to be a popular long running series for Sage and Thunder and….. maybe even Byron if can learn some humbleness.

[Julesy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is perfect for Thunder and his pack Sage. They go to the park and meet new humans and canines. But then the apple cart is turned over. Sage’s friend Manuel wants her to foster his dog Byron since his sister is allergic. Being the dog lover that she is, Sage agrees. She treats Byron with hospitality so that he feels right at home. This does not sit well with Thunder, however, as her hackles rise with jealousy and annoyance. Byron takes over her bed and den, pees to mark his territory and cuddles with Sage in bed. Byron does not follow the pack rules and yet Thunder is the one who always seems to get in trouble with Sage or is wholly ignored. Thunder is not a happy camper. With guidance provided by the Wolf spirit, what is Thunder to do?

Told from Thunder’s point of view, this is an enjoyable graphic novel for younger readers who would like to read about human-to-canine relationships. The illustrations were simple, colors were realistic and the font was easy to read. I hope to go back to read the first in this series to find out how Thunder and Sage came to become a pack. InFURmation facts are provided at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.

[Robin Pelletier · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sequel!!! I loved Wagnificent and leaped at a chance for more puns and more Thunder and more canine facts that I never knew! In this novel, Sage takes in a foster doggo for a friend and Thunder is not at best pleased with this intrusion into her territory. The two face off, but like most little dogs, Byron has a LARGE inner wolf who puffs himself up to be bigger than he is. I love how this novel captured small dog syndrome perfectly. I love that in addition to another dog to love, Sage and Thunder make a new human friend in Zia too.

What I loved most: the dogs, the puns and humor like snaccidents, the friendship between Zia and Sage, the inclusion of doggy norms vs dog to human norms, the information about the communication between dogs and dogs and dogs and humans, and that I learned about painted dogs and their sneezing (to signal they are ready to hunt), and dholes and their whistling and coyotes and their... poop.

I hope we get to have more adventures of Sage and Thunder as they make me smile.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful little book about getting a new pack member. Thunder and her human, Sage, live a great life. Thunder is happy going to the dog park, having play times and just generally hanging out. She loves it when Sage’s friend Manuel comes over. So naturally, when Manuel comes over, she thinks she’s getting tons of belly rubs and treats! Instead, Thunder realizes she’s getting…another pack mate in the form of a new dog named Byron. Now, Thunder is used to being the top dog at her house and she definitely DOES NOT want to share with Byron. Plus, he seems mean anyway. But Sage seems to like him. This is a problem. How will Thunder convince Sage that she feels left out? Will she ever find room in her heart for Byron?

I feel like Bethanie Murguia really knows dogs! I love how she characterizes them as having an inner wolf. I also love the idea that they’re “reading doggy message boards” when they sniff the sidewalk! There are so many great things about Thunder, Byron and Sage! Looking forward to the next one.

#FirsttoCheckOut

Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Days 173-177

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Wagnificent: A New Dog in the Den by Bethanie Murguia.

I loved the first Wagnificent book. I made sure to get a copy for our library when it came out. It is just a fun book.

So, I was super excited to continue the journey with Thunder aka "Thunderpaws". I love how the author points out that every person Thunder sees is a "new friend". This book is about meeting new friends. Whether they are dogs or humans.

Worry wind cracked me up. My dogs love snaccidents too. Love the "wagometer". There are so many cute pictures and words.

I enjoyed reading the "More InFURmation" section. It is a great way to understand how dogs communicate with eachother and with humans. I agree it is like they have to learn two languages and ways to act.

I will be adding this to our library when it is published!!! Thanks.

[Courtney Jenee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an advanced reader copy I received in exchange for my honest review. This graphic novel was soooo cute! As a dog-lover, this warmed my heart and even gave me valuable insight into my pup's language and perspective. This installment was the second in a new series (now I have to check out book 1!) and as a reader, I was able to jump right in. Thunder is loveable and sweet; she just made me gush over how she handled the adversity of "a new dog in the den." I thought the illustration style was beautiful and engaging. The storyline provided a solid story arc that came to a satisfying resolution. I especially liked the chapter dividers where Thunder detailed her rules for navigating the human world vs. dog world. It was so cute overall, and I really look forward to catching up in the series as well as looking out for future works.

[Katie Reilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thunder and Sage are back in the second book of this graphic novel series!

Thunder loves being part of Sage’s pack. But when Sage agrees to pet sit for a foster dog named Byron, things get a bit complicated. Byron doesn’t seem to understand or care about pack rules…he sleeps in Thunder’s bed, eats from Thunder’s bowl, and plays with her toys. When Byron steals the love from Thunder’s human, it’s the last straw, and Thunder stands her ground and forces him out. How will Sage tell her friend that the dog she agreed to pet sit for is missing?

Nicknames I loved: Thunderpants & Thunderpaws

Additional content that was fun: the Wagometer and Growlometer that measure Thunder’s feelings; Thunder’s “worry wind” toots when she’s feeling nervous.

Great back matter about dog “paw and order” and additional inFURmation about if canines ruled the world.

Must buy for grades 2-5.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC

In Wagnificent: A New Dog in the Den a dog named Thunder, who gets nervous around other dogs, must now share his home and his human with a foster dog.

This was a cute read. Thunder is really friendly with humans, but a bit shy around other dogs. Her instincts tell her to protect her space and her human and jealousy becomes an issue. But opening her home and accepting Byron are just what she needs. The artwork is well done and the facial expressions and the growl meter in the book really help you get a sense of what everyone is feeling.

The kids will love this book and you get some great information about pack dynamics with different canine groups at the end. Very neat!

[Jesus Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group/Roaring Brook Press for the digital ARC.

It was enjoyable to revisit Thunder and Sage in this new adventure. This volume follows a very similar formula to the previous one, with Thunder getting into trouble for listening to his "wolf." In this installment, Thunder and Sage meet new friends, and fun chaos ensues with the addition of a new pup.

I enjoyed the volume, but it felt somewhat repetitive when the new pup ran away, as it mirrored Thunder's experience in the first volume. Despite that, I am looking forward to future adventures if a third volume is released.

I must say, the artwork on pages 124-125 is incredible.

P.S. I wonder if we will ever get to meet Sage's parents.

[Larissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that there is another book in this series and the depiction of dogs interacting with their wolf half is just always such a delight. Readers are going to fall in love again with these characters and the art is just perfection. I am so excited that I got to read an advance copy of this book and for sure will be adding it to our Paws for Reading displays as soon as it comes out.
Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

[Ina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thunder's perfect life with her human, Sage, is disrupted by Byron a dog that Sage agrees to foster. Byron doesn't follow the pack rules and pushes Thunder out of her bed and her bowl and even monopolizing Sage. The illustrations are filled with humor and emotion and, when Byron runs away, and adventure and the dogs work on getting a long....just as Byron is adopted by Sage's best friend. Fun graphic novel that gives the reader great insight into the lives of pets. There is an extensive author's note containing facts about dogs and the need for fosters and rescues.

[Jame_EReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

👦🏻 review: I love graphic novels and my mom knows that I always preferred reading them especially about dogs. This one has a very colorful, stunning story and engaging illustrations. While reading this, the illustrated facial expressions, colors used and the dialogues have definitely captured my imagination. The “wagometer and growlowmeter” were new made-up words I learned after reading this book. I had fun reading this funny and adorable story about Thunder and his crazy friends. What I like the most? It is the story, graphics, illustrations and colorful pages! Perfect for middle-graders!

[Raven Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story for younger readers (second to young fourth grade) who especially like does. Mostly told from the POV of Thunder (dog) with comments by Sage (human) it is a fun romp about the "new kid" in the town (or a new dog). The "can't teach and old dog new tricks" does not apply as everyone learns something about making new friends. Read via an online reader copy. You don't have to read book one to know what is happening in two, but it probably would help.

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.]

4 stars = Great! Might re-read.

Such a cute chapter book graphic novel series! The conflict is pretty predictable, especially to anyone who has introduced a new animal to their pet. I loved that both dogs had a wolf "advisor." Terrific ending.

[Amanda Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that I was completely in Thunder's corner on this. Sage got jealous over a little thing like trying to follow Zia home, and then she up and brings a whole entire other dog right into Thunder's den?? Nuh-uh. Unacceptable. I am really glad that Thunder and Byron found common ground and recognized each other for what they were, though. BFFs.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Graphic Novel
Thunder and Sage are back and this time they are adding another dog to their home. Byron is a foster dog who needs a temporary space. Thunder and he don't mesh well but finally learn to share the territory. A fun read for dog lovers of all ages.

[Brianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was okay, but it could be good for any middle schooler wanting to learn more about dogs.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review submitted to School Library Journal for publication in the upcoming SMS Fiction article.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS SERIES! Perfectly illustrated, with wagometers throughout the book and inFURmation following the story... seriously. One of my favorite graphic novel series out there!

[Leonie · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Wagnificent: A New Dog in the Den” is a quick and easy read with simple language and an approachable art style.

While it was a bit too childish for my taste, I recognize that I’m not the intended audience.

For young readers, especially those who love dogs, this book will probably be an enjoyable read.


Thank you to the publisher for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thunder and her favorite human, Sage, learn what it's like to foster a dog. When Byron the foster arrives, he makes things challenging for Thunder, while appearing to be an angel for Sage. Humorous, emotional, and hopeful, Wagnificent is a win for all!