Tempting to young readers is this
small but delightful collection of early chapter books. With irresistible
characters and eye-catching illustrations, these cheery stories grab readers’
attention and keep them coming back for more. Dog fans or cow pokes are hooked
by short chapters, well written text, unforced language, and print that is easy
to read. Adult caregivers may want to take turns reading chapters with
youngsters to keep the story flowing. Have fun!
Slingshot and Burp
by Richard Haynes
illustrated by Stephen Gilpin
The two title
characters are cowboy enthusiasts; also, best friends, neighbors and double
cousins. And, they each have an older sister -- who are also best friends with
each other. The two pairs are not in agreement about the use of their “shared”
clubhouse.
Complete
with cowboy slang, wild adventures into the southwestern desert they call The Boneyard
(really their backyard), jail time, blood-squirting zombie skulls, and even a
ghost cat, this early chapter book is perfect for young readers and cowboy junkies.
When the sisters change up the boys’ bunkhouse with pink streamers, curtains,
flowers and dolls, Slingshot and Burp are outraged.
Using their Double-Barreled
Spitball Blaster loaded with grapes, the two cowboys massacre the dolls and
stuffed animals in the pink hair salon. Peppery mad Ma McKenzie and cross Calamity
Kate charge the cowboys, who are marched into Mom-and-Dad court, where they are
charged with four counts of doll murder and destruction of doll property,
pronounced guilty and sentenced to two whole days of being grounded.
As it turns
out the girls have opened a dog sitting and grooming business in the clubhouse
and were practicing on the dolls and stuffed animals. The two cowhands are
camping overnight outside when one of the dogs escapes. The adventure to save
Jackpot, the pup, while it’s still dark, has the boys exploring, as tall-tales
fill their minds. They lose their bikes, flashlights, and Super X. But they
rescue the dog, and make a deal with the Scorpion Sisters to “borrow” Jackpot
until they can visit Big Jim at the Boots and Saddle Tack Shop to show him the
treasure they’ve discovered during their adventure.
Occasionally
included are a map and vigorous black and white illustrations to accompany the
lively text.
Candlewick Press, $14.99
Interest Level: Grades
1-4
Lulu and the Dog from
the Sea
by Hilary McKay
illustrated by Priscilla Lamont
Lulu, an
animal lover with pets, and her neighborhood friend, Mellie, go with Lulu’s
parents on vacation to a cottage by the sea. Lulu’s dog, Sam, goes too. When
they arrive, however, the owner of the cottage warns them about a “dog from the
sea” who is a thief and has already taken a “whole roasted chicken” from a
family staying in the house last week. Even the dogcatcher hasn’t been able to
grab him!
Although
the others are not happy about this dog, for Lulu, the unnamed dog is a
challenge. She and Mellie learn about the dog in town from unhappy restaurant
owners. And along the path to the beach that day, Lulu follows behind the
others and drops dog biscuits. That night after everyone else is asleep Lulu goes
out to take the rocks off the trash can so the dog from the sea can eat the
burned sausages. She gets a bucket of water for the dog to drink, and even sits
down to pet him.
Over
several nights and trips to the beach they become friends. Then the cottage
owner sees them playing together and calls the dogcatchers, scaring the no name
dog away.
Periodically,
expressive black and white pictures illustrate this charming and completely
dog-focused chapter book for young readers. Text and illustrations combine to
keep readers engaged.
During the
early morning hours of the last day of vacation, the two girls run off to fly
Mellie’s kite, hoping to attract the dog’s attention. But, it’s an accident
that finally gets everyone focused. And the dog from the sea gets a new home!
This is
another perfect early chapter book for young readers along with other titles in
this series.
Albert Whitman &
Company, $13.99 hardcover, $4.99 paperback
Interest Level: Grades
2-4
Good Dog, McTavish
by
Meg Rosoff
illustrated by Grace Easton
A playfully witty and wily early chapter book
is this story of McTavish, a shelter pooch, who adopts the Peacheys, an inept
family, after Ma resigns from being a mother. Boycotting the often “boring,
thankless jobs” like “cooking meals that get cold,” “keeping track of
appointments,” and “finding lost keys,” Ma now decides to take time to practice
yoga. No one else in the family cleans, cooks, or keeps everyone organized, and
before long the household is falling to pieces, Pa Peachey is cranky, Ava (14)
grumbles, and Ollie (12) complains. Even the youngest, Betty (8) who is the most
sensible, feels “lost, lonesome, and lacking in love.”
Betty manages
to get the family - minus Ma, who is practicing her tree pose - to the animal
shelter where Betty and McTavish (a mix of Scottish terrier, Jack Russell,
poodle, Tibetan spaniel, and Bichon Frise) connect. Soon McTavish has made his
home in the Peachey household and, in consultation with Betty, has begun a
three-step process that gets the laundry done, the mess decluttered, and
everyone out the door on time for school and work. Soon, the family has even
figured out a way to begin cooking meals instead of eating tiresome pizza every
night.
Although
the book doesn’t directly approach the problem of Ma feeling unappreciated, the
quirky black and white and gray illustrations, satirical character
exaggerations, sheer wackiness, and oversimplified, if nonetheless, feel-good
ending, make for an unconventional, yet entertaining and clever tale for early
readers.
Candlewick Press,
$15.99
Interest Level: Grades
2-5
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