by Dori Hillestad Butler & illustrated by Jeremy Tugeau ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2010
Golden retriever King can’t understand where his family has gone. Left with Uncle Marty, King finds himself in a place called the P-O-U-N-D. But he’s quickly adopted and renamed “Buddy” by a mom and her son, Connor. Still, Buddy/King is determined to find his old family, and it looks like he’s landed in his old neighborhood. Buddy is a detective dog who uses logic and facts to find solutions to mysteries. When Connor suddenly disappears, Buddy tries to find him. Has Connor been kidnapped? Butler tells the story from Buddy’s perspective, throwing in details to convince readers that it’s really Buddy talking. Every kind of food Buddy encounters, for example, is Buddy’s “favorite food!” Buddy identifies Connor not so much by sight as by smell and describes that smell to get clues from other animals. But if Buddy can’t get out of the house, how is he going to use his skills, and his nose, to find Connor? Tugeau’s full-page line drawings enliven a story that should captivate young readers. This first entry in a series is both sweet and suspenseful. (Mystery. 6-8)
Pub Date: March 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-8075-0910-4
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Whitman
Review Posted Online: Jan. 9, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2010
Share your opinion of this book
More by Dori Hillestad Butler
BOOK REVIEW
by Dori Hillestad Butler ; illustrated by Kevan Atteberry
BOOK REVIEW
by Dori Hillestad Butler ; illustrated by Nancy Meyers
BOOK REVIEW
by Dori Hillestad Butler ; illustrated by Tim Budgen
by Kate DiCamillo & illustrated by Chris Van Dusen ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2005
Hilarity and hijinks abound in this tale about a voracious swine with an overweening yen for hot buttered toast. Mercy is the beloved pet pig of the doting Mr. and Mrs. Watson. When Mercy sneaks into her owner’s bed one night, her added heft causes the bed to fall partway through the ceiling. Although the besotted Watsons assume Mercy is trotting off to seek help, the only search and rescue Mercy seems to care about involves butter and hot bread. In her quest for some midnight munchies, Mercy awakens the crotchety neighbor. Wild chases and mayhem ensue before help arrives in the guise of firefighters. DiCamillo aims for over-the-top fun with her tale of porcine shenanigans, and Van Dusen’s gouache illustrations provide a comical counterpart to the text. The glossy paintings, with exaggerated caricatures and lively colors, complement DiCamillo’s tone, although the scowling, lantern-jawed visage of the crabby neighbor borders on the unpleasant. With vocabulary that may prove too challenging for a novice, DiCamillo’s tale is best suited for those ready to move up. However, the pacing and the action easily make it right for shared reading. (Fiction. 6-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 0-7636-2270-2
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2005
Share your opinion of this book
More by Kate DiCamillo
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
by Kate DiCamillo ; illustrated by Julie Morstad
BOOK REVIEW
by Kate DiCamillo ; illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
by Susan Rose & Silvia López ; illustrated by Gloria Félix ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 25, 2023
Cuándo quieras un perro feliz, look no further.
A young Latine boy finally gets to rescue the dog of his dreams, but training can be a challenge in two languages.
Like many children, José has been dreaming of having a pet of his own, specifically un perro, a dog. Like any good owner, José promptly begins training his new canine companion but soon realizes his rescue mutt, Feliz, knows only words in English. This is a problem because in José’s home everyone speaks both Spanish and English. José and Feliz must rise to the challenge; fortunately, treats and snuggles are great motivators. The narrative uses Spanish words and phrases throughout (“perros blancos,” “¡Yo quiero este!” “¡Sientate!”), usually with English context clues for understanding. This is complex vocabulary for an early reader, and the shifting in phonics from English to Spanish will be challenging for true beginners; the book is best suited for intermediate to advanced readers in dual-language classrooms or homes. Much like Feliz, however, it is sure to find a loving (and bilingual) home. Cheerful illustrations complement the text, helping readers make sense of the narrative. While José and his mother are darker-skinned, his father and sister are lighter-skinned. (This review has been updated for accuracy.)
Cuándo quieras un perro feliz, look no further. (glossary of Spanish-English words) (Early reader. 6-8)Pub Date: April 25, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-52116-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
Share your opinion of this book
More by Susan Rose
BOOK REVIEW
by Susan Rose & Silvia López ; illustrated by Gloria Félix
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.