Don't Get Me in Trouble R

Mickey, who is always getting his friend Jake in trouble with his crazy schemes, finally learns a lesson about friendship and responsibility

PreSchool-Grade 2 Dogs Mickey and Jake are good friends who spend every weekend doing crazy things together. Mickey, the leader, thinks up such exciting adventures as stealing dog bones from Connie Collie's Cafe, doing high dives into a crowded pool, and hitching rides on the back of a pick-up. Jake, the follower, always gets caught, and hence, in trouble. Eventually, Mickey himself gets into a predicament from which Jake rescues him. There are definite problems with this story. Jake never acknowledges that he has any responsibility for his own actionsit is always Mickey's fault that he is ``in the dog house.'' Only by accident does the bigger dog get into trouble himself, although he is thinking about mischief at the time. Mickey does not seem to know the difference between right and wrong, and Jake isn't much better off. The alliteration of the dogs' names (i.e., Tina Terrier) is forced and distracting. The cartoon illustrations are colorful, but they can't save the poor story line. Pass this one by in favor of such standards as Zion's No Roses for Harry (Harper, 1958), Kellogg's Pinkerton, Behave! (Dial, 1979), or Flack's Angus and the Ducks (Doubleday, 1939). Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, Oreg.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This goofy book about two dogs delivers some broad humor, thanks in no small part to Glass's quirky cartoonsa style featuring wavering black lines, exaggerated shapes and splashy colors. Mickey is a good friend to Jake, but he always manages to get him in trouble. Jake pleads with Mickey, but it's no useMickey invents the fun and Jake gets caught. The tables are turned at an amusement park, and Mickey all too quickly agrees to play a quiet game of checkers the next time they get together. Most children will readily identify with the idea of one friend, good intentions and all, getting the other in trouble, even if the resulting justice probably doesn't ever really occur. This story is about a dog's lifeand artist and author make it look like a good life, at that. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.