From School Library Journal:
Kindergarten-Grade 2?Schneider, co-creator of Amos (Little, 1987), offers another silly canine character, Mercer. In similar bright and colorful comic-striplike caricatures drawn in pen and colored pencil, Mercer and his family, the Arbuckles, prepare for a vacation. But much to their chagrin, dogs aren't allowed in any of the hotels. Their solution is to disguise him as a visiting friend from France, Monsieur D'Puppie. All goes well until a series of guests intervene. Madame Croissant wants to speak with him in French, Dr. Ruffman wants to cure his laryngitis, and the desk clerk is concerned because Monsieur D'Puppie must walk with help. The waiter is worried because no proper Frenchman would refuse to eat vegetables, and the chambermaid comments that there are only three toothbrushes for four people. Luckily, the Arbuckles make a quick escape before Mercer's true identity is discovered. For a story with a similar theme that's faster paced and even more clever and engaging, reach for Susan Meddaugh's Martha Calling (Houghton, 1994).?Christina Dorr, Calcium Primary School, NY
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Publishers Weekly:
When the Arbuckle family prepares to leave on vacation, their mutt, Mercer, is overjoyed to be included. But matters look bleak when Mercer proves to be canis non grata at every motel along the way. "I've got an idea," says Mr. A., and, in a development very much recalling the plot of Susan Meddaugh's Martha Calling, Mercer is nattily attired in a suit, bowler and black handlebar mustache. He is then introduced to the desk clerk of the tony Duchess Abigail Hotel as the non-English-speaking Monsieur D'Puppie. All's well at first, but unfortunately monsieur attracts unwanted attention from two hotel guests: Madame Croissant, a Parisian, and (worse) Dr. Ruffman, a veterinarian. Schneider's (Uncle Lester's Hat) sense of humor is evident everywhere, from the dog-unfriendly highway signs to the waiter who apologizes for serving Mercer's dinner in a doggie bag, to the Arbuckles' assorted excuses for Mercer's poochy behavior. Exuberant cartoony illustrations complete this tale of a dog who really knows how to put on the person. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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