Be Careful What You Sniff for #1 (Magic Bone) - Softcover

Krulik, Nancy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0448463997 ISBN 13: 9780448463995

Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap, 2013

Synopsis

Sent to the backyard for breaking a tick-tock-ticking toy, Sparky (an adorable but clumsy sheepdog puppy) immediately begins his favorite activity: diggety-dig-digging. Little does he know, he's about to dig up the most amazing toy ever--a magic bone! With one bite into that sparkling bone, Sparky is magically transported to London, where he makes new friends, sees the sights, and gets into a bit of trouble. Join Sparky on his adventure to see how he escapes and makes it back home!

About this title

About the Author

Nancy Krulik has written over 100 children's books, including two New York Times bestsellers and the highly successful George Brown, Class Clown series.

Reviews

Gr 2-4–Sparky is a rambunctious pup who breaks things while running around the house, digs holes in the yard, and tries to stay in the good graces of his person, Josh. In one confusing scene, Sparky is transported with a “Kaboom!” from his backyard to England. Later, readers learn that he wound up in London after chewing on a magic bone. He has a series of madcap adventures that include urinating in front of Buckingham Palace and landing in the midst of a picnic, where he gobbles sausages and overturns plates of food. A dogcatcher takes him to a pound, where he escapes and is transported back to Josh. Detailed illustrations capture the action in this early chapter book. Some readers may enjoy the slapstick plot and the sights of London described from a dog's perspective, but those who liked the realistic conflict infused with magic in Krulik's “Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo” series (Grosset & Dunlap) will long for a bit more substance in this offering.–Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MIα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

The new Magic Bone series features Sparky, a half-grown puppy, as both protagonist and narrator. Through Sparky’s dog-centric perceptions of the material world and relationships, the story zips along from expected neighborhood encounters with canine bullies to the fantastical adventures that ensue after a mysterious bone transports Sparky to London and the grounds outside Buckingham Palace. Sparky’s naïveté is just right for the audience, who will feel not only a little more clever than the puppy but also as anxious as he does that things will turn out well. Also well suited to the audience is the back matter that offers more context to some of the London sights Sparky encounters. A good choice for newly independent readers who have a taste for fantasy. Grades 1-3. --Francisca Goldsmith

Edition details

• Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0448463997
• ISBN 13: 9780448463995
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Braun Sebastien
• Number of pages: 128