Book Description

Reviews (2)

Puppy love
Who said it's a dog's life? FudgeFudge and Marshmallow may be man's best friends, but life gets ruff when a new baby puts them in the doghouse faster than you can say, "down, girl!" But they're not going to roll over and play dead. They plot revenge, until Grandpa shows up and becomes a bone of contention.

Hah! I'm so punny, I just kill myself. Hey, if there are books to get siblings used to the idea of having a new baby around, why not one for your mutts? Although Jenkins says she has no dogs of her own, her depictions of their distress and jealousy certainly have bite.

Pratt stretches the figures to funny, whimsical sizes, and the fuzzy brushstrokes and bright colors add an upbeat touch even as the dogs go barking mad. This one'll tickle you down to your funny bone, and teach an older sibling that no, you can't bury your baby sister in the backyard.

(Sorry about the puns. I just couldn't help myself. I'm through now.)

ADJUSTMENTS, ADJUSTMENTS ! IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING.

FudgeFudge and Marshmallow ruled the roost, more or less.They received a great deal of attention from the man and woman to whom they belonged, so basically they were two happy dogs.That is until a new animal came to live at their house.They do not like this intruder one bit.

For starters, he didn't smell at all like a dog, and people didn't play with them any more- no sticks to chase or tossed balls to run after.People just sat and looked at the new animal.The intruder took FudgeFudge's spot on the couch, and no one even noticed that Marshmallow was showing his tummy, ready to be scratched.

To add insult to injury, when Marshmallow whines, someone tells him to be quiet.And, when FudgeFudge barks, he's sent to the corner.But, when the new animal cries it is cuddled and kissed.How ridiculous!

Of course, the new animal is a baby.The two dogs simply do not know how to deal with this member of the family.It takes a visit from Grandpa to straighten things out.
Youngsters will laugh at the dogs' reaction to the baby, and many will probably relate to the changes that occur when a new person joins the family.

- Gail Cooke ... Read more

Book Description

When the Wild Calls

McKinley, a malamute, is a good dog -- he's reliable and trustworthy. Whether it's watching over the other dogs of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, or taking care of his human pup, Jack, McKinley never even thinks of letting anyone down -- until he meets Lupin. Lupin is a she-wolf and she's urging the dogs of Steamboat Springs to leave their domesticated lives and join her wild pack. And though she scares McKinley, he also finds himself drawn to her and the life of freedom that she offers.

For the first time, McKinley's loyalties are torn. Should he stay with his humans and continue to lead the dogs of Steamboat Springs? Or should he join the wolf and live freely, like his ancestors did? When the wild calls, what will McKinley's answer be? ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Avi Does it Again!
I have read several of Avi's books. I must say I have yet to be disappointed. Nearly every one of his stories is written in a different style. Avi does not get type-cast or pigeon-holed... he finds a way to stay fresh and creative in every book he writes. I can't help but be blown away by his originality. Well, enough gushing about the author.
Avi takes a page from Jack London in this story. It is a take on the classics like, Call of the Wild and White Fang. McKinley is a loyal, smart, loving, caring dog. He is devoted to his family, and takes great pride in caring for his human pup. He is loyal to his human family and watches over them carefully.
But, McKinley is also the leader of a community of dogs. So he spends time rounding up the dogs in town and caring for them. One of his dog compatriots says he cares too much for other dogs. And that appears to be true.
When McKinley goes to help a dog named Duchess who has run away
from her abusive master, he meets up with a wolf. His life is forever changed from this point on. McKinley must decide if he will be loyal to his human family or break away and head into the wild with the wolf pack... Interesting stuff. Avi does a wonderful job of getting into the head of the McKinley. He gives us some insight into what he sees as the thought process of a dog.
The ending is dramatic and ties together nicely. McKinley gives an amazing statement on what he sees as a dogs relationship to humans. The care relationships dog's have to humanity is expertly rendered by Avi.
I couldn't put this book down and devoured it in a couple of days. The pace is fast and carries the reader along. I hope you read it... you will not be disappointed! :-)

Fascinating book.
What does it mean to be a good dog? What sorts of things does trying to be good make a dog do?

These questions become very important to McKinley, a sled-dog, who lives in the Colorado Mountains with his human family. He is especially fond of the human pup, Jack. Funny thing about humans: they think they own their dogs. The way McKinley sees it, dogs and people need each other equally.

McKinley always has to protect Jack, who is prone to misadventures and scrapes. Gil and Sarah, Jack's human grown-ups, never seem to know half the trouble Jack dreams up for himself. Sometimes, McKinley doesn't know how he's going to save Jack at all. Like the time when Jack saw a wolf in the mountains and decided to go live with it! How can McKinley stop that?

And what happens when the wolf, Lupin, tries to recruit McKinley to join her pack?
What can McKinley do? Where do his loyalties lie, with dogs or humans or Lupin? Is it love and honor that motivates a good dog?

This fascinating book, told from McKinley's point of view, examines the dilemmas of a conscientious dog.

--- (...)

Woof, Woof!
Wow! This is a fantastic book! It is sure to get dog lovers to wag their tails! Action, creative, original, and it has cute little puppies! What's not to love!!!!

Allen at richview middle
This story is about a dog named Mckinley with a girlfriend named Aspen an enemie named redburn and a wolf named lupin.

The Good Dog
The Good Dog is fiction. There are lots of characters in this book, but the main ones are McKinley, the dog; Jack, McKinley's owner; and Redburn, Duchess' owner.

Redburn is trying to catch Duchess, she has ran away. He wants Jack and McKinley to try to find her. Redburn says that if McKinley hurts Duchess that Jack's parents are going to hear about it.

If you don't like adventures don't read this book. If you like adventures read this book. The Good Dog has lots of adventures that McKinley goes through. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

the dog who wouldn't be
i am reading this book with my dad and having a fun time.mutt,comes to this family for only a penny but brings a millon laughs.he did not think he was a dog so he did not ACT like a dog.when he didn't want to do something he pretented not to hear it.he would put on an expression that said,''i'm sorry,were you speaking to MOI? my two favorite parts are when the dad turns mutt blue and when the dad shot his gun and fell into the dich.you will have to read the book to find out the rest.

Good, but with serious reservations
I must speak a dissenting voice to all the glowing reviews of this book. Mowat is, no doubt, an excellent naturalist, and many of the adventures described in the book are very entertaining. However, I am very disturbed that, although the author is ready to defend HIS pets with his shotgun against other animals, he pretty much gave his own animals not just free rein but also encouragement to kill the pets of others. Mutt the dog is deliberately set on a woman's cats, and the "secret cemetery" of neighborhood cats filled by his pet owl is described with almost pride.

Also disturbing to me is the author's attitude toward women. Any complaining woman is described as "spinsterish." The "Cat Lady" whose cats the author set his dog on to attack and kill was described as harboring "yearning hope" for a male intruder to come and presumably do things to her that I don't want to refer to in a review that children may read -- the implication is pretty strong, with a reference also to the Sabine women.

I may get flamed for this review, but I feel that these are very poor attitudes to be subtly or unsubtly conveying to children. I find it very unfortunate because I endorse the author's work as a naturalist.

Beloved dog, lost times
This is a tale that couldn't happen today. Dogs don't have the lifestyle they did in the 1920's and 1930's in remote Canada, and sadly, boys don't either.

Mutt is a fascinating mutt with a mind of his own; halfway through the book I realised he must be part Siberian Husky with his deafness, his love of roaming and chasing and need to attend to his own desires.

Farley's mother demonstrated an act of faith- as well as the desire to save [money amount]- when she purchased Mutt as a puppy from a starving duck seller. Farley's dad wanted a hunting dog; Farley's mom didn't want to spend a lot of money on a dog during the Dust Bowl years, living in Saskatoon.

Dogs roamed free, boys roamed free. Boys weren't sent off to summer camp to keep busy- there was enough to do with their own imaginations, their friends and their animal companions. Attitudes towards cats were cavalier; some parts are very hard to read if you appreciate cats. Thankfully that attitude has changed over time.

The stories of the father's boating attempts are hilarious. I don't like boats, but am inspired to read "the boat that wouldn't float" by the same author. I live in the western US and have a vague understanding of how difficult it would be to navigate some of these rivers so I appreciated the delusional voyage of The Coot.

Farley paints his parents as people who had their own interests and needs, but also understood the needs of their son and his dog. They understood that living in a city wouldn't work for them, after several years living in the sparse western provinces. Farley's imagination was clearly nurtured and allowed him to become the prolific writer he became. Even the car (Eardlie, a Model A) has a character and idiosycrasies that add to the story.

My dog, too, is geriatric so I read the final chapter sadly. Mutt's demise will give fuel to the arguments of people who believe completely in leash laws.

Yes, this is a fantastic story of a dog, but it is also a wonderful story of life in a more free time, for children. Farley skips over most of the drawbacks of that time and paints a wonderful portrait of childhood.

The Dog Who Wouldn't Be
The Dog Who Wouldn't Be
By: Farley Mowat
Reviewed by: Catherine Li

This book describes the life of a boy (Farley) with a dog named Mutt. Mutt was adopted by the author's mother when he was a puppy and was found by a boy who was selling baby ducks. Mutt was a very unique dog because he had excellent hunting skills. He could dive really deep to catch ducks under the water. Whenever the author's Dad fired his gun to hunt birds, Mutt could always retrieve a bird back even if the author's Dad missed his shot. Besides his hunting skills, he had ability to walk on fences, ladders, and trees - just like a cat! The first time he tried to walk on a fence he fell, but he kept trying until he was able to master his balancing skills on a narrow fence. Mutt was a very determined dog.
I really enjoyed reading this book because the writing describes a lot of details. The writing is very descriptive, and I could picture all the events in my mind. I love the huge vocabularies the author uses to make the sentences complex. "A swirl of muddy water marked his passing, and in the center of the swirl thee was a whitish blob that twisted back and forth lethargically." The author writes lengthy and quite difficult sentences. I remember when I tried reading this book a year ago, there was at least five to ten words I did not understand.
The author described the hunting skills and tricks Mutt could do in very expressive writing. Each chapter was extremely long, however I never got bored and kept reading. The events the author chose very amusing and thrilling. For instance, "The last jump took him well into deep water, and he began churning forward like an old-fashioned stern-wheeler." This book is so descriptive that it make the readers feel like they were really living in the Canadian plains.
I found this book very fascinating, especially when Mutt learns how to climb ladders, trees, and fences. My favorite section of this book is when Mutt climbed on top of a tree and there was a group of firefighters surrounding the tree. This section of the book is amusing because everyone thought it was a huge monster in the tree. Two people were holding guns and they called the firefighters to this event. It is a book worth reading. It has humorous stories and touching events. I really enjoyed reading this book.

Wonderful Children's Book
I read this book in 4th grade as a follow-up to Owls in the Family - even if you read it just to find out what happens, it's worth it. But the tales of Mowat and his companion are hilarious and even inspire some thought provoking discussions in a classroom setting. A good read for the 10-and-under crowd. ... Read more

Book Description

Rumpus at the Vet chronicles Hairy’s escapades with "miserable dogs and cantankerous cats, a rabbit with pimples and rickety rats." ... Read more

Reviews (16)

The first "Hairy Maclary" book
This is the first of the "Hairy Maclary" books. And while it's not the best "Hairy Maclary" book (my favorites are HAIRY MACLARY'S RUMPUS AT THE VET, HAIRY MACLARY'S CATERWAUL CAPER, and SLINKY MALINKI), it's an essential "Hairy Maclary" book; it's the one where all the major characters are introduced. In fact, that's pretty much all the book is, an extremely entertaining introduction--and that's not a bad thing at all! We meet among others, Harry Maclary "from Donaldson's Dairy" (some sort of terrier), Bottomley Potts "covered in spots" (dalmation), and Muffin McLay "like a bundle of hay" (English sheepdog). Once the dogs are all introduced, they head to town where they run into Scarface Claw, "the toughest Tom in town", who frightens them all away. My son, who is two and a half, really loves this book. He is always on alert for Schnitzel von Krumms (dachschunds) and Muffin McLays when we go out for walks. Also, we've been inspired from time to time to make up our own rhymes about these dogs. Bitzer Maloney, for example, "loves to eat baloney". And Hercules Morse "eats roast beef, of course". It's hard not to love a book that can do all that for you!

You'll love it too...
Kids love this "building" story - Hairy Macleary from Donaldson's Dairy (a tangley little black dog) goes for a walk, and is gradually joined by lots of other dogs with impossible rhyming names. The dogs increase until Disaster! - they meet Scarface Claw, the toughest tomcat in town. (A screetchy meow is necessary at this point.)

Lynley Dodd has a wonderful tumpity-tum rhythm throughout the book that makes it great fun to read. It also makes a good flannelboard for storytimes (not too many pieces to make, either).

The only caveat is that if you buy this book you will be made to read it over and over - although it's fun to try and remember all of the dogs' names: Schnitzel Von Krum (with a *very* low tum), Bottomley Potts (all covered in spots), Hercules Morse (as big as a horse)...

Ignore the editorial reviews above - they relate to "Hairy Macleary : rumpus at the vet" and "Dragon in a wagon"

hairy maclary
As an expat New Zealander now living in the US I am delighted to finally be able to get these books here.
I have been reading them to kids for 15 years and now have a son of my own and he already has the entire collection of Hairy Maclary related books (14 and Counting....)
This is one of my all time favourite books. Every child I have read or given these to has become addicted to that scruffy black dog. His is an everyday New Zealand kind of life. The illustrations are typical NZ scenery, great for those who have been there and remember fondly the backdrop to these great tales.
Lynley Dodd has also written several other great kids books, so check her out on the web. The other reviews tell you how great the book is, I wanted to let you know that if you love this book there are many more to discover.

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy
My sons - 4 years old and 18 months both adore this book. The rhyming text keeps them engrossed as I animatedly read about the adventures of Hairy Maclary and his friends. My 4 year old asks lots of questions about the different dogs that are introduced, so it is also very educational.

Straight back home to BED!
Our toddler WILL NOT GO TO BED until we've done Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy, or more recently, some of Hairy's other exploits (especially Hairy Maclary's BONE and the CATERWAUL CAPER).

Unfortunately for yours truly, these are pretty dull books to read night after night, so you have to be very imaginative about how you read them: I find allocating each of the dogs a different accent (sometimes rotating accents each night) or spoonerising the text as you go along keeps the old fellow happy as the young one is still entranced.

On the other hand, the rhymes kick along quite nicely, and the illustrations - which are an unintentionally dead-on representation of the mind numbingly mundane world of semi-rural New Zealand - are great.

The final line - I don't think it's spoiling anything to reveal that it's "straight back home to bed!" - is an unfailing cue for young sir to lie down, close his eyes, and refrain from screaming the neighbourhood down should father deign to switch off the light. As there is nothing else on this dear earth I have found which will do that, Lynley Dodd has truly earned my heartfelt gratitude and respect.

My one literary nitpick is that Dodd has wholesale nicked the character Scarface Claw off the great New Zealand cartoonist Murray Ball, whose long-running newspaper strip "Footrot Flats" featured a timid sheepdog and its travails with a truly ferocious, semi-feral tomcat by the name of Horse.

And as for being the "toughest tom in town" - pshaw - Horse would have Scarface, any day of the week. ... Read more

Book Description

Dog be gone!

The big old dog wants to play. Can the little boy make him go away?

Reviews (3)

Playful Pup Persuasively Pounces
A boy who is afraid of dogs meets a friendly long-haired barking fellow looking to play. He tells him to go away, but the dog insists on being friends. The dog instantly loves the boy, but the boy isn't so sure.

Your child will learn how dogs are fun to play with, and how some things aren't quite as scary as they might first appear.

The colorful, warm drawings have endured through the years, and will help bring a smile to your face.

I fully recommend "Go Away, Dog."

Anthony Trendl

My "most favorite book"
I have the original version (1963) and mine has the following inscription written by my mother:

"This was a library book I checked out for Lisa when she was 4 and 1/2 years old. She loved it so much she kept putting off taking it back and one day 'could never find it again'. Later, she told me she hid it and by then I had paid the library for it. Her most favorite book then and for a long time."

I cherish my copy of Go Away Dog and am buying the new version for good friend's baby shower.

A Book for Young Dog Lovers Everywhere
This book is written in short, simple sentences, using high-frequency vocabulary that's sure to make young readers successful. It tells about a dog who wants to play and the little boy who wants that dog to go away. This little dog will win the affection of very young dog lovers and little boys everywhere with his antics and determination! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Kipper and his little friend Arnold are on an alphabet search. It allstarts when the young pig Arnold finds an ant. "Aa is for ant. And Arnold."Well, to be perfectly honest, it starts a little earlier, before the book evenofficially begins, when Kipper the pudgy brown dog tells a zebra, "We won't needyou till much, much later." Throughout, as Kipper and Arnold find (and sometimeslose) a buzzing bumblebee, a caterpillar (actually, the caterpillar finds them),a duck, and a menagerie of other alphabetized critters, the earnestly eagerzebra appears, ever hopeful that his day in the sun has arrived. "Nn is for No,not now!" Kipper tells him. After "Juice...And a bit of jam, too," "Splish!Splosh! Splash! And six squishy slugs," and V, which is "very, very hard" (whenthey can't find a volcano, they make a picture of one instead), the zebra asksone last time. "Is it my turn? Is it? Is it?" Kipper is happy to report, "Yy isfor Yes!" The zebra stands proudly in the middle of the page, and everyone says,"Zz is for Zebra!"

Mick Inkpen's enchanting Kipper stories can be found on TV's Nick Jr. andin his many picture books (Kipper, Kipper's Birthday, Kipper's Snowy Day, and lotsmore). This Alphabet Adventure, with its adorable details and wittysubplots, is sure to win hordes of new fans. (Ages 2 to 5) --EmilieCoulter ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A fun alphabet adventure
We discovered Kipper at the library, having never seen it on tv. Now every time we go to the library, my 3 year old HAS to find a new Kipper book to borrow! This is definitely one of the best we have read, so far. Lots of fun!

kreimuller
Ages 3-6 and older children with spatial/visual deficits. Kipper, a sweet little brown dog, and his pink pig friend, Arnold, wander from A to Z finding creatures and things to represent each letter of the alphabet and its sound. Starting with ant, buzzing bumblebee and crawly caterpillar, the pair amuses themselves by seeking out objects for each letter in sequence. The large book format gives enough space for the simple watercolor figures to be silhouetted on a white background along with big, black text with the letter at issue in even bigger, bolder black. Children, even as young as 3 or those with spatial and visual learning deficits, will be hard pushed to miss the letter and its representative, and the sound of each letter is often repeated in descriptive words highlighting it to listening ears. Not only does the book teach the letters and their sounds, but many humorous touches make it multileveled for older children and fun for adults. Such as when Kipper and Arnold cannot find an item for the letter k, older readers will shout out proudly,[KIPPER!] Or, the reappearing zebra who continually wonders when it?s his turn, will bring giggles because everyone knows zebra always comes last at Z. A gentle, sometimes silly wander through the alphabet.

GREAT ALPHABET BOOK TO HAVE
I bought this book for my two year old daughter because she has shown an intrest in learning the alphabet. We don't watch Nickaloden so I am not all that familiar with Kipper but you don't have to know anything about him to enjoy this book. Kipper and his friend Arnold the pig are adorable. They guide the reader through the book as each letter of the alphabet is introduced. Periodically a zebra pops up asking if it is his turn yet. It is a clever story and a great learning tool. We read it every day after the all time best alphabet book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. I don't want to push my daughter into learning the alphabet and these two books have allowed me to present it to her in a fun way.

Kipper Alphabet Book is a Hit with 2-1/2 year olds
My 2-1/2 year old twins adore Kipper from the Nick Jr. channel. We've bought all the tapes (more please!) and they beg for Kipper every night. We got a few Kipper books and they like those too. This one is the very best however. Mick Inkpen does a fabulous job with the alphabet in a fresh and fun way that is uniquely "Kipper." If you follow the show, it's really "very Kipper." Pig, Arnold, ducks, Tiger, Jake all make their appearance. Luckily no space bleepers appear. (Mick, please knock off the weird aliens and scary episodes -- my toddlers have declared them "Too scar-wy Mama!" and it really detracts from your core competency.) Buy this one with confidence.

Wonderful book!
This book is great! It creatively and humorously takes you through the alphabet with adorable illustrations and fun topics. Kipper and Arnold start at A and meet their Zebra friend at Z, encountering many creatures along the way. Not your typical "A is for apple book," These hosts introduce words like volcano and "No, Not now!" This book can and should definitely be used for children younger than five...a great way to start introducing reading to toddlers! Mick Inkpen has done it again with this wonderful book! ... Read more

Book Description

Watch the magical world of dogs come alive in The Complete Dog Book For Kids

Also Includes:

• Tips for finding the right dog for you
• Health care and training basics
• Information about the world of purebred dogs, from Junior Showmanship competitions to the informal Canine Good Citizen program

Reviews (2)

Wonderful book
This is a great book that I use for 4-H quiz bowl. It has complete breed descriptions for every breed in the AKC. It gives you the breed standard, a size comparison, and unique facts for EVERY breed. This book also has vital information for first aid, and health care. Great book for kids 8 and up.

GREAT!!!
I loved this book, and recommend it to any dog-lover (whether your a child or not!!!) ... Read more

Reviews (12)

I LOVE Hondo & Fabian!!
What a beautiful book! I'm a 25-year-old college senior who saw this wonderful book in the bookstore on campus. The illustrations are breath-taking and the story is simple and sweet. I'm keeping this copy for myself! I just had to get it. The fantastic pictures make you want to reach in and pet Fabian and Hondo. Give this book to someone to someone who will love it! Sure to become a classic.

Perfection!
What a magnificent book! The story is interesting and the illustrations are beautiful. My Son Samuel and I love to read this book at bedtime, it's soothing and easy to visualize Hondo and Fabian during their day. This book is a MUST HAVE in any child's library.

Hondo & Fabian
Dear Reader,
I would rate this item 5. This book is about a cat and dog.
The dog woid go to the beach with his freind. And the cat would play with a baby.I really like the book because I own a dog myself.The firs time I read it it made me hink of my dog.
This book is not much but is veary tochful if you owna dog or cat
or both. You should read it to.

From,
Sam

A Great Book!
I had to read this book as an assignment in my Children's Literature class at West Virginia State College. I am so thrilled that I picked this book to read. This book is a delightful story of a dog/cat relationship. It tells of a unique friendship that out of the ordinary. This illustrations in this book are excellent. I would recommend this book for every child to experience.

Wonderful Bedtime Read!
A delightful little book about charming pets in a series of natural and daily life "adventures" that are sure to please and calm a child. The illustrations are interesting and will hold attention. The narrative and illustrations are calming and will quieten the active child at any time of the day especially at bedtime.
Evelyn Horan - teacher/counselor/author
Jeannie, A Texas Frontier Girl, Books One-Three ... Read more

Book Description

The popular hero of Harry the Dirty Dog does his best to be rid of Grandmother’s birthday present—a silly green sweater with yellow roses. ‘Will bring laughter and sympathy. Recommended for all picture book collections.’ —SLJ.

... Read more

Reviews (5)

I love Harry! and his sweaters too!
This is one of the best stories ever.
Simple, funny, well constructed, satisfying,
It's also my favorite of all the "harry" stories.

Wish there were more books like these instead of today's pretentious, shallow, and expensive kids books.

Delightful
Children will find this series of books delightful! Like many of the writers of the reviews I to grew up with "Harry The Dirty Dog". Recently I came across "No Roses For Harry." I couldn't resist purchasing it for my son. He loved the book so much that I came to Amazon.com to find some of the other "Harry" books. I recently read it to my niece and nephew. They couldn't wait to see what creative way Harry was going to try to get rid of the flowered sweater. Little kids and "Big" kids alike will enjoy this wonderful book. You like this one? Try "Harry By The Sea."

My favorite Harry Book
Of all the Harry Books, this one is my fave. Harry, a white dog with black spots, gets a present from Grandma--a sweater with big roses all over it. He hates it. He gets laughed at when he wears it, so he tries losing it...several times. He is finally rid of the sweater in an imaginative plot sequence that involves a mother bird. It's a sequence that also spares Grandma's feelings, thank goodness! The story ends with Harry receiving a new sweater from Grandma, one he likes very much. It's a white sweater with black spots. The ending is no doubt a reason why the book is a favorite of mine. My two-year-old likes all the Harry Books. The stories contain wonderful twists of plot but are written in simple language. Also, there are only a couple of sentences on each page and the illustrations correspond beautifully to the text (a rare treat, given that the author was not the illustrator), so even though they are recommended for young schoolchildren, toddlers will be able to enjoy these books.

A very original story line of a dogs dilemma.
I remember this story fondly from my own childhood. The different strategies that Harry tries to rid himself of the sweater he does'nt like are still very amusing to me today. I'm going to share it with my classroom.

A memorable book from my childhood
I love everything about Harry. The illustrations are wonderful and the pallet is unmistakable. The story is sweet and entertaining. Even though it has been years since I last read it, I remember it clearly & fondly. I intend to buy a copy & keep it for my own children. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Must Have Iditarod Book
Debbie Miller's masterful retelling of the Serum Run, which saved the children of Nome, Alaska from a deadly diphtheria epidemic in 1925, goes well beyond the facts of this heroic team effort. The Great Serum Run: Blazing the Iditarod Trail includes well-researched factual information, reference tables, maps, and photographs. Miller's narrative comes alive as she skillfully interweaves many little known fascinating details of how the mushers and their dog sled teams endured their individual treks from Nenana to Nome in such deadly weather conditions. The story behind this famous dog sled team relay was inspiration for the world famous "Last Great Race," the Iditarod. Jon Van Zyle, the official Iditarod artist, complements Miller's text with vivid, captivating illustrations. Readers of this book will gain a sense of the unbelievable accomplishment of these dog sled teams. People of all ages will treasure this book. The Great Serum Run: Blazing the Iditarod Trail should be included as a first resource for teachers interested in providing thought provoking discussions about the Iditarod, teamwork, and man's interaction and dependence on animals.

About the Reviewer: Ann Morgan has taught lessons about the Iditarod in grades 2- 6 for the last 18 years, and is currently teaching at Chatham Middle School, Chatham, Massachusetts. In 2000, she was in Alaska at the Iditarod and acquired first hand knowledge of the race by following the mushers and dog sled teams with her own bush pilot from Anchorage to Nome.

A book worth reading for children & adults
Debbie Miller did a great deal of research before writing this book, so though it is written for children, it is a great account for all to read. I would highly recommend it to readers of all ages who are interested in dog teams and their important role in Alaska. This is the best and most acurate telling of the story of the serum run to Nome in 1925 which I have ever seen. It is a children's book in that it explains what happened from the viewpoint of children. Beyond the story, there are facts presented in the back of the book. Jon Van Zyle is a popular artist, but I did not feel that his oil paintings for this book were all that great. ... Read more

Book Description

Do you know how a puppy talks? Elmo does! Woof! Woof! Come along as Elmo learns some things puppies need to stay happy and healthy. Large flaps reveal a world of tail-wagging, playful puppy fun! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Flaps are great for infants and toddlers
Great book. My son, 11 months, loves Elmo and loves this book. The flaps are laminated and so are great for little hands. he loves lifting up to see the puppies.

Great Book for Toddlers
This book is a must have for any parent of a toddler that loves Elmo and also loves dogs! My 15 month old can't get enough of this book! The hidden pictures are a plus too! Enjoy! ... Read more

Book Description

A children’s version of the best-selling What Dogs Teach Us, What Puppies Teach Us is designed for kids, showing them all the things puppies can teach. Large format, full-color photos are paired with simple life "lessons" such as ‘It’s polite to share,’ ‘Try to clean your plate at every meal,’ ‘Sit still when you’re asked to,’ and other exemplar puppy (and kid!)behavior. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Loving puppies, learning social skills
My 7 year old daughter loves puppies and sometimes needs a bit of redirection and encouragement when it comes to relating to the world around her. I saw this book and knew it was for her! The pictures are adorable and the sayings with the pictures are concise and positive, including, "It may be hard, but sometimes you have to share" and "Sometimes friends don't look anything like you". "Don't be afraid to try new things" features a puppy in a life vest on a diving board. One of my favorites, "Teasing is never nice" shows one puppy sticking out its tongue at the other. I'm not sure how the author got the picture of that, but it is very adorable. My daughter now refers to the contents as her "puppy rules". I recommend this book for every preschool, elementary school and home with young children to encourage them with great messages about getting along with others and taking care of themselves. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (10)

Conversation piece
In this nearly wordless book, Carl "doggie" (as we called him in our house) takes the baby for a jaunt through a department store while Mother leaves him for a few minutes to go shopping.

The baby immediately climbs out of her stroller and onto Carl's back, up the elevators to the toy department. There, Carl deposits her into a toy truck, which collides gently with a stack of stuffed animals.

Next stop is the book department, where the baby finds (appropriately) a picture book on Rottweilers. Visits to the hat, television, carpet and fine foods departments ensue. Of course the story would not be complete without a stop in the pet deparment, where delightful mischief transpires.

I won't spoil the ending, but parents willing to laugh with their children will find this and Alexandra Day's other Carl books a delightful way to introduce them to words. Talking with a child over these stories starts a lifetime of book-loving. Alyssa A. Lappen

Must have some of these
The Carl series of books is beyaon description wonderful. The artwork will suck you in for great leangths of time. The lack of text leaves room for creative play and language building with your child(ren). The first time he "reads" a Carl book to you, it becomes very evident how well worth the cost these books are. We have several in the series, Board books for everyday play, and some large hardcover traditional paper books for more special occaisions (Birthday, Christmas). I highly reccomend all of the books in the series. I give them as that extra little shower gift and the new parents are always delighted.

Charming Carl the Babysitting Rotty
Good dog Rottweiler, Carl,is left beside the escalator in charge of the baby and pram, while Mother shops. Carl and Baby decide to have an adventure. With Baby riding carl like a horse, they tour the department store trying things on and genarally creating havoc until Carl senses it is time to get back to the pram. Mother arrives back at the pram totally unaware the sleeping baby has been out and about and getting into mischief with Carl.....as always Carl will never tell.

If you have a Rottweiler in your life you will be especially predisposed to admire the Carl series by Alexandra Day. Her artwork is extraordinary and worthy of framing and you really do not need any text at all because the pages are so self explanatory and well done. I like the way the pictures evoke a simpler time and remind us of the 1930's or 40's. The stories are charming and sweet and Carl the Dog is a loveable lummox who deftly manages baby and keeps them both out of trouble. Unfortunately, Rottweilers get a bad rap when they are in truth, the most loyal and attentive family dogs. Rottweilers are wonderful with children and will always protect a child.

I am giving my son and his wife the entire series as gifts because they presented me with a Rottweiler GrandDog 6 years ago. These adorable books are tomorrow's collectibles you can buy, keep and read.

Not Carl's best effort!
We fell in love with Carl after reading "Good Dog, Carl!" We were amazed when we picked up "Carl's Afternoon in the Park." We were disappointed with this book, however. The story does not flow very easily (why do they spend so much time waiting by the elevators ... is this supposed to be a reality book???). This makes it difficult for a parent to maintain the child's interest in the book. The artwork isn't as detailed as the aforementioned books. Our two-year-old girls quickly dump this book for another. I would suggest previewing any Carl books before buying, to make sure they meet your expectations.

a book for all ages
The series of Carl the Rottie books are a treat for young and not so young. Humor, great art work and tight story line makes for fun beauty and excitement (at a pleasant level), Buy for your own pleasure, If someone else enjoys your find then that is icing for the cake. ... Read more

Book Description

Sally helps young children realize a doctor's visit doesn't have to be "Ruff!"

Stephen Huneck's irrepressible canine star, Sally the Black Labrador, returns in an adventure unlike any of her previous trips to the beach, farm, and mountains. Any journey for a dog with a spirit like Sally's is sure to be filled with new sights, sounds, and smells and Sally is always to eager to explore-except when the road leads to the vet's office!

But the intrepid Sally quickly learns that a visit to the vet doesn't have to be scary. In fact, it's just one more opportunity to make new friends! Sally Goes to the Vet, featuring Huneck's warm and winsome woodcut illustrations, will reassure any young child whose pet is due for a visit to the doctor.

Praise for Stephen Huneck's books: The Dog Chapel "If you're not acquainted with Huneck, this is the perfect introduction." -Seattle Times Sally Goes to the Farm A Society of Illustrators Silver Award winner "Dog lovers and children will recognize fun when they see it." -Booklist Sally Goes to the Beach A New York Times best-seller A Parent's Choice Silver Award Winner Sally Goes to the Mountain Child Magazine Best Books A Smithsonian Notable Books ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Give this book to your vet!
I loved the first three sally books, but this one really outdoes itself. Huneck's illustrations are worth framing and thew story lends itself so well to sharing with chilren who are taking their pet to the vet for the first time.

I read this to my daughter as we brought our pet bird in for a checkup and she felt much better. Then I showed it to my vet and he had never seen another book that does such a good job of allevating a child's fear.

Can't wait for the next one! ... Read more

Book Description

Illustrated in black-and-white. When her parents can't afford a new pet,

seven-year-old Janie invents one. Her new pretend dog is Henry, an invisible

Great Dane who eats invisible food bought with invisible money. Then some

mysterious events--and perhaps a touch of magic--bring the invisible Henry to

life. "King-Smith has created another irresistible yarn."--Booklist.




... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Great Dog
This book is about a girl named Janie who finds a collar that belonged to her Great Dane, Rupert, who died when she was younger.
She carries it with her down the street. Mrs. Garrow, one of her neighbors, sees her and makes believe that she is petting a dog and gives Janie compliments on it. So Janie names her invisible harlequin Great Dane, Henry. She takes him everywhere she goes except school.
When her birthday comes her parents surprise her and take her to a dog show. She hopes the Harlequin Great Dane will win.
Read the book to find out who wins the show, what Mrs. Garrow finds in the teacup and how Janie's dream of owning a Great Dane comes true.
If you enjoy books that you can't put down, you'll love this one. I really love books about dogs so that is why I would recommend it to others who love dog stories. ... Read more

Book Description

When a little red airplane becomes lost at Golden Oaks Ranch, a golden retriever named Midas offers to help him find his way home.

With assistance and advise from several of his friends, Midas lends support and encouragement to the little airplane during their journey.In doing so, they both reach new heights as they try their best to make it home safely.

Join the adventure as the endearing characters in this fun story help children understand about problem solving, positive reinforcement and, most importantly, about never giving up. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

A perfect book for all Pembroke Welsh Corgi lovers
Anyone who is fortunate enough to live with a Pembroke Welsh Corgi will appreciate this book. The love the author has for her Corgis shines through in both the writing and the wonderful drawings. I'm so pleased that it is coming back into print.

So glad to see it's still in print
This was my all time favorite book when I was a child. I went on line, hoping to at least find a used copy for a friend's baby... and am thrilled to find that it is still in print! It's a great children's story, full of wonderful characters, with great illustrations. Very charming. I loved it as a child, and am glad to get to replace my old copy with a new one for my son.

Another winner from Tasha Tudor
Nothing pleases me more than to open the pages of "Corgiville Fair" and marvel at Ms Tudor's ability to create a magical, mythical world of corgis, goats, cats, bunnies and boggarts. The story is so dear, the illustrations are truly inspired, and the boggarts are personalities a reader will never forget. This is a treasure for any child's or adult's library; as a child I wanted nothing more than to be able to live 'west of New Hampshire and east of Vermont' in the wonderful, cozy world of Corgiville.

Tasha Tudor and her beloved corgis
Not merely one of the finest children's book artists, but one of the finest naturalist artists period. This book well showcases her sense of whimsy as well as her eye for detail. Add to that her obvious love for her corgis, and you've got a book that is a can't miss!

funny story, talking animals, and an old-fashioned fair
The book states that Tasha Tudor writes as if in an 1830s timeframe. Indeed this is an old-fashioned country fair. But this fair is in a town populated mostly by corgi dogs, cats, rabbits, and boggarts, a fictional type of troll. This is a large format book and some of the illustrations go across both pages. Illustrations are very detailed and beautiful. It takes much more time to look at the pictures and analyze them than it does to read the text. This is set in an agricultural rural setting and the annual fair is said to be the biggest activity of the year. It is apparent this was written a while ago as a few of the characters are smoking--this is something that just caught my eye. Tudor adds some funny text that will go over the children's heads but will give the adult a laugh. I love that it is not politically correct as it mentions the Corgiville Congregational Church: modern books probably wouldn't mention religion at all. There is also a scene where the not-so-nice character feeds the racing goat lots of food and tobacco to make him sick so he can't race--today that would be painted as animal cruelty and again probably wouldn't be allowed to be printed. Anyway, it is great fun, entertaining for the adult to read and beautifully illustrated. A must have for fair lovers. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Adorable!
I love that they've combined 4 of the McDuff stories under one cover. This is a great gift for a child who does not have any McDuff books. The illustrations are gorgeous and right on the mark as far as capturing the Westie personality. My children love the McDuff tales almost as much as they love their own Westie, Auggie.

Really fun
The McDuff stories are so much fun. The illustrations are so unique and rich. My 6 year old daughter really loves to read these books. Not only are they about a really adorable dog, but they are fun to read, too. After your second or 3rd McDuff story, you really get attached to this dog! We're on a mission to collect all the McDuff stories, so this is a great book to start with!

Absolutely the CUTEST children's book ever!
As the owner of an adorable Westie puppy, I couldn't resist this book. Even tho' I'm an adult, I enjoyed this book immensely, because of the cute little stories and the incredibly cute Westie drawings. I could be a little biased (that could be my little Katie!), but I think it's the cutest children's book I've ever seen! It's quite obvious the author & artist are Westie owners, and they've put their experiences to good use!

Wonderful stories with incredible illustrations.
Being the owner of a Scottie, Westie and a Cairn, I am so impressed with how the expressions and nuances of the Westie are so realistic and well captured. This is a story/picture book for children of all ages. I am a 39 year old child and I just love the pictures as I have seen the expressions in my own real life "McDuff" - actually his name is Bentley.

Can't wait for McDuff's Birthday!
I bought this book just a few weeks ago to read to my unborn son who is due in June. I can't wait until he's able to tell me that he wants to read McDuff at bedtime. I have to agree with the other reviewer when she says that the innocence this book portrays is extremely refreshing. McDuff's birthday is due out this year and I've already got it on order! Keep 'em coming, Ms. Wells! ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in full color. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

An Exciting Adventure for Balto the Dog!
Balto is a fantastic story about a dog going to Nome to take medicine to sick children. Will Balto make it? Find out in the book Balto. This is a great book that is very exciting to read.

The Bravest Dog Ever
The book the Bravest Dog Ever is about Balto. This is a book which tells the wonderful rescue story of Balto. Balto lived in Nome, Alaska, and that is where the story took place. Two children got sick and they needed medicine, which the doctor did not have. They sent it on train, but the train got stuck. This is where Balto and his crew came to the rescue. They went through difficult terrain, and made the story very exciting.
I love the story of Balto, probably because I love dogs. But still the story is really good, and I recommend this book to whoever is reading this review. Balto should be known in everyone life.

Ryan J.

4 ½* Exciting Story of Heroic Dog
"This is a true story about a very brave dog."

It's 1925 in the sub-zero, treacherous region of Nome, Alaska. Two children stricken with diphtheria need medicine, but the train that carries it gets stuck in the snow, 700 miles from Nome. The town's only hope is a 21-team dog sled relay to deliver the precious medicine. Balto, the head dog on the second to the last run, leads his team through blinding snowdrifts and over a frozen river, and around cracking ice, and reaches Nome almost ten days before the expected arrival. He becomes famous: In New York City, thousands of miles away, a statue of Balto is put up in Central Park.

This is an exciting book, with soft, slighted muted illustrations and short sentences, is an excellent book (especially for adventure and dog lovers) for the reader in from around grades 1 through 3. The suspenseful narration and the real heroics of Balto and his driver (along with the 20 other dog teams) make for a dramatic story. 48 pages, includes map of the trail to Nome.

Balto is a fraud and this book is a lie!
Balto was nothing but a scrub freight dog and that is the truth!

In the mid-sixties I lived next door to the real hero Leonhard Seppala and spent many hours listening to him recount his mushing days.

He set off from Nome to get the serum and traveled more than 260 miles in subzero temperatures. His lead dog was Togo.

Seppala at the age of 90 told me how sad he was that Balto had stolen the glory. Seppala left Balto behind because he was nothing but a scrub freight dog. Seppala said he would never have run Balto in the lead position.

After he was already on the trail for a full day's run, Seppala met Gonangnan at Shaktoolik where he took the serum and turned around to head back towards Nome. Facing into a mercilous gale with temperatures at 30 degrees below zero Seppala led by Togo headed across the uncertain ice of Norton Sound. He carried the serum back 91 miles and exhausted turned it over to Charlie Olson in Golovin.

Olson in turn handed the serum over to Gunnar Kaasen and Balto who carried it into Nome getting the glory. Kaasen was supposed to pass the serum to Ed Rohn at safety for the final 22 miles, but instead he continued on to Nome, reportedly because his team "was doing so well" and he didn't want to wake Rohn. Others, however, later accused Kaason of trying to gain publicity by being the musher to bring the serum into Nome.

For their part, Togo and Seppala covered more than 260 miles. No other team did more than 53 miles.

Year's later, Seppala commented: "It was almost more than I could bear when the newspaper dog, Balto, received a statue in Central Park in New York for his accomplishments, decked out in Togo's colors, and with the claim that he had taken Amundsen to Point Barrow and part way to the North Pole, when he had never been 200 miles north of Nome".

For the real story check out Seppala, Alaskan Dog Driver, by Elizabeth Ricker, copyright 1930.

Great for Balto fans---
I bought this book for my 6 year old daughter who loves Balto. I was looking for a book that she would be interested in enough that she would try to read it herself and I found it in this book. She loves Balto and that has helped her spark her interest in reading this book. She needs some help with some of the words but isn't discouraged.
We are going to try to find the statue of Balto in Central Park mentioned in the book when go to New York City next week. ... Read more

Book Description

Everything is ready for Biscuit to take a bath'everything except Biscuit! After rolling in the mud and playing in the garden with his friend Puddles, will Biscuit ever get clean? Whether or not they share Biscuit's reluctance to take a bath, beginning readers will adore reading about his appealing antics in this My First I Can Read Book, the third in the best-selling series about the popular puppy.

2001 Garden State Children's Book Award (Easy Rdr Cat.)

Reviews (5)

Great beginner reader book!
My daughter, who is 5, loves all the Biscuit books! They're great for beginner readers! We haven't found any she likes better, so we just keep on buying all the Biscuit books we can find. She is definitely a Biscuit fan!

Two Types of Puddles
It is time for Biscuit to have a bath. The Girl In The Purple Sneakers has everything all set. Everything except Biscuit who has other things he would like to do. This is also the First book where his friend Puddles shows up.

Biscuit is reluctant to take his bath, but after making a mess and some puddles of his own, it is finally time to get clean.

This is one of the earliest and best Biscuit books. My daughter loves it and I can use it to illustrate that when things need to be done, we will get them done even if she resists.

More great illustrations and text that my daughter likes to illuminate with her own story telling and hand gestures.

An amusing, wonderful little book
My 18-month old daughter adores this Biscuit book. (And now, some others as well.) The pictures couldn't be cuter, and the text is interesting and there's just enough of it to keep her engaged. It's a very fun, simple story, but she definitely "gets it." I think what makes it appealing to her is that it's got a real narrative element to it, as opposed to most of her books, which are just pictures and words, or nonsensical rhymes that don't really have a point.

Great Reading for Little Ones
My 4 1/2 loves to read through this on her own. It is fun and easy for her to get through.

More fun with Biscuit
My 3-year-old loves the Biscuit series. This book takes Biscuit and his little girl owner through an unwanted bath for Biscuit. In usual Biscuit fashion he resists doing what he is supposed to (which may be why the Biscuit series appeals so to older toddlers--they can relate!). The little girl is always patient and sweet, even when Biscuit makes a mess or gets her wet or dirty she continues to treat him nicely. I believe this is a nice lesson for a little one, and the easy-to-read format makes it fun for them to make "Bow wow" and "Woof" sounds along with the main character. When my 5-year-old started to read the Biscuit books were popular with her because she could feel a sense of accomplishment when she could read it herself. ... Read more