Broadway Barks: With CD [Hardcover]

Bernadette Peters (Author), Liz Murphy (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

In a park in New York City lives a lonely little dog. He remembers when he used to get taken for walks, fed dinner every night, and told he was a good dog. Now, he's all alone and must fend for himself. But everything changes one day when he sees a lady reading in the park and decides to follow her—all the way to a place where he might become a star!

With a story by actress Bernadette Peters and mixed-media collage illustrations by Liz Murphy, Broadway Barks is a warm and appealing story of loss, reunion, and nurturing, complete with a happy ending.

This beautiful package includes a jacket with foil touches as well as an exclusive CD featuring a reading of the story and an original song written and sung by Bernadette Peters.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2—Well, it is what it is: an idealized promotional piece for Broadway Barks, the annual New York City pet adopt-a-thon founded by Peters and Mary Tyler Moore in 1998. Sad little Douglas is abandoned in Central Park, where no one walks him or feeds him or loves him. He is befriended and taken into a smiling and willing driver's yellow cab by a pretty red-haired stranger (Peters) and taken to Shubert Alley, where Moore emcees an adoption pet show/pageant. Obedient and adorable, Douglas meets a little girl, is given a new name, Kramer, and is taken to live happily-ever-after with his new family. Murphy's bright mixed-media cartoon illustrations include snips of measuring tape, telegrams, and pieces of printed matter that become the buildings, trees, and sidewalks of Manhattan. Douglas/Kramer is a cute concoction of gray flannel and a fine mutt of a mascot for this message, which is accompanied by a CD on which Peters reads the story. Royalties will be donated to the cause. An NYC-centric companion for Maribeth Boelt's Before You Were Mine (Putnam, 2007) and Bob Graham's Let's Get a Pup! Said Kate (Candlewick, 2001).—Kathy Krasniewicz, Perrot Library, Old Greenwich, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Bernadette Peters has had a dazzling stage career on Broadway and in theaters and concert halls around the world. She is cofounder, with Mary Tyler Moore, of Broadway Barks, an annual star-studded animal adoption event benefiting animal shelters throughout the New York City area. Her passion for animals and her work on behalf of the organization are the inspiration behind this book.

Liz Murphy was born in England and currently lives with her family in Montclair, New Jersey. She is a graduate of the Kingston Art College, where she majored in graphic design, and the creator of two previous Blue Apple picture books, ABC Doctor and A Dictionary of Dance.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Blue Apple Books (April 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934706000
• ISBN-13: 978-1934706008
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 0.4 x 11.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #534,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have for Broadway Enthusiasts and Dog Lovers, April 18, 2008

By 

Sarah B. Roberts "SarahB" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Broadway Barks: With CD (Hardcover)

I found Bernadette's book to be absolutely delightful, from the adorable illustrations by Liz Murphy to the sweet words by Bernadette to the lovely "Kramer's Song". It's an absolutely wonderful bonus that the included CD not only features Bernadette's narration of the book, but also her warm, beautiful voice on "Kramer's Song", a song she penned herself. As soon as I heard that the book would be published, I knew it was a must-have, not only because I am a fan of Bernadette's and a supporter of Broadway Barks, but also because I knew my niece would love it. I love that it educated my niece, a dog owner herself, about homeless dogs and the need to help animals who don't have homes of their own. Brava, Bernadette!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story!, April 15, 2008

By 

Rev Shoshana (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Broadway Barks: With CD (Hardcover)

The story is spectacular. My grand daughter loved it. The fact that it comes with a CD with the story read beautifully and playfully by the author (BERNADETTE PETERS!)is a bonus and the song she sings at the end is truly touching.
There are very very few really wonderful books that come with a CD where the story is read to the child. I am disappointed most of the time. This one is one of the best I have ever read/listened to. Finally a book/CD where the story is great and it is read in a way that will have children asking to hear it over and over again.

It is a "must have" for dog lovers and children of all ages.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book for Children I've Seen in A Long While, April 17, 2008

By 

Lauren Blum - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Broadway Barks: With CD (Hardcover)

Bernadette Peters' book is to put it simply - wonderful. I was looking to pick up a book for my son, Jake and came across "Broadway Barks." We read so much together and have a very rich collection of stories and picture books. You'd never guess Ms. Peters was a first time author, as her knack for storytelling seems so natural. She has created warm, lovable characters and Liz Murphy's illustrations are a feast for the eyes. We especially love listening to the recording that comes in the back of the book. Here's hoping this talented actress/activist/author writes more tunes (and books) in the future. "Kramer's Song" has found it's way to our family CD player and it doesn't look like it's leaving anytime soon. Jake now wants to visit Shubert Alley in NY! (where part of the book is set and apparently as well as Bernadette's yearly adopt-a-thon for NY shelter animals). Highly recommended.