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When he plays with bigger dogs, Sasha proves himself and his abilities

PreSchool-Grade 1-A slight story with a familiar theme. Oliver is a big dog who has no interest in playing with his cousin Sasha, except to point out how much bigger and better he is at doing things. While waiting for his friend Juliet, Oliver and Sasha have a snowman-building contest and a snowball fight. Oliver's snowman is outstanding, while Sasha's is quite ordinary. Clearly, Oliver is superior. The tables are turned, however, when Juliet arrives on the scene and outdoes him on every score. It is little Sasha, though, who proves her worth when she excels at ice skating. The watercolor illustrations are well executed but not noteworthy. The plot is mildly entertaining but the fact that Sasha is not considered worthy of attention or friendship until she accomplishes a heroic deed is a trite and overused theme. A marginal purchase.
Sharron McElmeel, Cedar Rapids Community Schools, IA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 1^-2. Winter is the setting for Stadler's colorful cartoon drawings in this I Can Read Book, and all the slapstick takes place in the snow. Sasha is a small dog who wants to play with her big cousin Oliver, but he thinks he's the greatest and treats her with disdain. Oliver builds a much bigger snowman than Sasha does, and he pulverizes her in a snowball fight, but smart Juliet comes along and beats Oliver with brains and brawn. Then in a skating race little Sasha saves the day for everyone. New readers will cheer for the underdog who proves herself a hero. Hazel Rochman