EARLY CHAPTER BOOK REVIEWS : Dear Beast & Dear Beast: The Pet Parade by Dori Hillestad Butler
ABOUT THE BOOK
A jealous cat really,
really
,
REALLY
wants to drive away his young owner's new dog in this playful illustrated chapter book from a two-time Geisel Honor winner.
Simon has taken care of his owner, Andy, for many years. He's a good cat. Clean, responsible, and loyal. What more could a boy want? Even when Andy's dad moves out, Simon is certain that Andy doesn't need another pet. So why would Andy's dad adopt a DOG?! To make matters worse, the animal is a rude, rowdy troublemaker.
Simon's job is clear: the beast has got to go. He decides to write him a letter. Strongly worded, of course. But when the dog's response sets off an unexpected correspondence, Simon realizes the beast may be here to stay. Can he make room for another pet in Andy's life?
Simon has taken care of his owner, Andy, for many years. He's a good cat. Clean, responsible, and loyal. What more could a boy want? Even when Andy's dad moves out, Simon is certain that Andy doesn't need another pet. So why would Andy's dad adopt a DOG?! To make matters worse, the animal is a rude, rowdy troublemaker.
Simon's job is clear: the beast has got to go. He decides to write him a letter. Strongly worded, of course. But when the dog's response sets off an unexpected correspondence, Simon realizes the beast may be here to stay. Can he make room for another pet in Andy's life?
REVIEW
Dear Beast combines a bossy cat, an enthusiastic, friendly dog, and a bunch of letters in a fun and entertaining way. When Simon finds out that his boy, Andy, has a new dog at his dad's house, he makes it his business to write a letter to this dog telling him to go away. Baxter, the dog, refuses in a letter full of grammatical mistakes and misspellings. The letters fly fast and furious as Simon works hard to persuade Baxter to leave. Simon even goes so far as calling Baxter, "Beast". Very little bothers Baxter, until Simon accuses him of being the reason for all the bad things that have been happening to Andy. Baxter finally leaves. Simon's happy at first until he realizes how unhappy Andy is and decides to try to bring Baxter back. But Baxter doesn't seem to want to be found. Butler and Atteberry have created a delightfully amusing tale told through letters. This book is not only a fun story of a gradually developing friendship between two very different characters, but it's a great way for children to learn about letter writing and the importance of spelling and grammar.
ABOUT THE BOOK
A snobby cat and a good-natured dog fight over the chance to dress
up with their owner in this playful illustrated chapter book series told
in letters.
It's time for the annual city pet parade! Only one pet can win first place . . . Simon the cat has always hated wearing costumes, so he decides it's okay for Andy's new dog, Baxter, to march with Andy instead. This way, Simon gets to avoid a costume and keep his dignity.
But when Baxter keeps the costume plans a secret, Simon changes his mind. His boy Andy needs him! Who knows what trouble Baxter is up to? That beast can't be trusted--and it's Simon's job to save the day.
It's time for the annual city pet parade! Only one pet can win first place . . . Simon the cat has always hated wearing costumes, so he decides it's okay for Andy's new dog, Baxter, to march with Andy instead. This way, Simon gets to avoid a costume and keep his dignity.
But when Baxter keeps the costume plans a secret, Simon changes his mind. His boy Andy needs him! Who knows what trouble Baxter is up to? That beast can't be trusted--and it's Simon's job to save the day.
REVIEW
Simon, the cat and Baxter, the dog, have become friends, sort of. Simon doesn't really want to be in the city pet parade with his boy, Andy, and is thrilled to have Baxter do it. At least until Baxter refuses to tell him what his costume is going to be. After numerous letters and spying, Simon discovers what Baxter and Andy are dressing as and decides he wants to in the parade after all, despite disasters from previous years. In this second volume in the Dear Beast series, the two pets diverse personalities shine through loud and clear. The letters are amusing and the illustrations wonderfully compliment them. A delightful entry in a fun series.
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