A Tale of Two Dogs - Hardcover

Kroll, Steven

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0761451617 ISBN 13: 9780761451617

Publisher: Two Lions, 2004

Synopsis

Morgan is a happy, friendly, slobbery dog. But Morgan is also a nuisance—he begs, he chews, he howls, and he’s BIG! So Mr. and Mrs. Morrison take him back to the pound . . . and come home with a new dog, Peanut. But Peanut isn’t happy with his new family, and Morgan misses the Morrisons. The two homesick pups finally win their proper owner’s hearts in this delightful story about finding and appreciating the right pet.

About this title

About the Author

Author Steven Kroll is the author of more than eighty popular children’s books, including The Biggest Pumpkin Ever and That Makes Me Mad! He lives with his wife, Kathleen Beckett, in an apartment in New York City that would be just the right size for a dog if the two of them didn’t travel so much.

Illustrator Mike Reed has received awards from the Society of Illustrators, Studio Arts Magazine, and the American Institute of Graphic Arts. His illustrations can be found in two recent children’s books, Chill in the Air and Shake D’em Halloween Bones. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Reviews

Kindergarten-Grade 2–Morgan is the kind of dog that children adore and parents grow weary of very quickly–a fluffy, playful, slobbery pup that sleeps on the bed and chews Mom's pink slippers. After one too many disasters and disruptions, Mr. Morrison has had enough and, in spite of his children's tears, declares that the animal must go. He returns from the pound with a sweet, shorthaired, not-so-cuddly beagle that sleeps all day. Here the contrived plot takes its predictable turn, as the Morrisons get a call from Morgan's new family, the Ramirezes, saying he's depressed; and by the way, they sure miss their old beagle, Peanuts. By happenstance, they've adopted one another's pet. Thus, each dog returns to its proper family, and all is well with the world. The bright, cheerful, wonderfully expressive illustrations are the best thing about this book. The computer-generated spreads have richly hued, textured surfaces and the humorous tableaux bounce with activity. Facial expressions (both human and canine) are priceless, in particular those that belong to an increasingly exasperated Mr. Morrison.–Teri Markson, Stephen S. Wise Temple Elementary School, Los Angeles
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

PreS-Gr. 1. Morgan, the Morrison family's new fresh-from-the-pound puppy, is a bit of a nuisance. He begs at dinner, grabs food off of Dad's plate, chews Mom's pink slippers, and howls when banished to his pen. Finally, Dad can't stand it anymore and shouts, "This dog has got to go!" Despite the protests of Amy, Andy, and Beebee, Mom and Dad haul the dog back to the pound. But what's this? They bring a beagle in Morgan's stead. Little Peanut doesn't beg or howl like Morgan, but she is not fun or clever or cuddly like him either. Don't look too closely at the conclusion; in an unlikely plot twist, Peanut's old owners call the Morrisons to see if they can visit their dog, whom they miss. (Coincidentally, Mr and Mrs. Ramirez are Morgan's new owners.) Morgan is so happy to see the Morrison kids, and vice versa, that the two families take back their original charges. Reed's expressive, lively, almost three-dimensional paintings infuse plenty of humor into this tail-wagging, happy-ending picture book for kids who love dogs--chewing, begging, howling, and all. Karin Snelson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Two Lions
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0761451617
• ISBN 13: 9780761451617
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Reed Mike
• Number of pages: 32