Smasher (Stepping Stone, paper) - Softcover

King-Smith, Dick; Fox Busters Ltd

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0679883304 ISBN 13: 9780679883302

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers, 1997

Synopsis

Dick King-Smith brings his signature wit and charm to the Stepping Stone line with a lovable new puppy who's sure to capture readers' hearts. Smasher is always getting into trouble, whether it's chasing chickens, chewing up Mrs. Buzzard's slippers, or breaking all her china. Now she wants to get rid of him. Can Farmer Buzzard find a way to save him? Or is Smasher in the doghouse...for good?  

About this title

About the Author

Dick King-Smith was born and raised in Gloucestershire, England, surrounded by pet animals.  After twenty years as a farmer, he turned to teaching and then to writing children's books.  Dick writes mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites.  He enjoys writing for children, meeting the children who read his books, and knowing that they get enjoyment from what he does.  Among his well-loved books is Babe, The Gallant Pig , which was recently made into a major motion picture, and was nominated for an Academy Award.  

Dick currently lives with his wife in a small 17th-century cottage, about three miles from the house where he was born.  

From Booklist

Gr. 2^-4. Though a man of very few words, Farmer Buzzard has a very soft heart. So when his adored collie delivers a clumsy, large, downright ugly pup that does not at all resemble its mom or litter mates, he is shocked but nonetheless smitten by "Smasher." Even when Smasher chases the chickens, Farmer Buzzard can't punish him. But when the bumbling pup devours the Buzzards' leg-of-lamb dinner, soils Mrs. Buzzard's beloved sitting-room furnishings, and chews his way through the bedroom, something must be done. Tongue-in-cheek humor erupts into raucous scenes of hilarity when Smasher is loose in the house and when he returns, fully grown, to "attack" a burglar in a final scene reminiscent of the climax of Steven Kellogg's Pinkerton, Behave! (1979). Richard Bernal's soft pencil art endearingly pictures the wrinkled pup getting into mischief, then returning to the farm at his angular master's side as a "noble" bullmastiff. A wonderful time awaits readers of this winning chapter book, who will find it a romp of a read. Ellen Mandel

About this edition

• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0679883304
• ISBN 13: 9780679883302
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 80