Buster [Paperback]

Denise Fleming (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 29, 2008 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Buster hoped there would be juicy steaks or fancy cheeses or spicy sausages in the box. But inside was something Buster did not want. And that something was a cat named Betty.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Ahh, it’s the good life for Buster, a red, pointy-nosed dog. He has his own dishes (with his name painted in curvy letters), a big grassy yard, an in-and-out flap on the back door, and "Brown Shoes," who takes Buster to the park any time he wants. But on the day Brown Shoes brings home a big box--which does not contain sausages or fancy French cheeses, as Buster hopes--life takes a dramatic turn for the worse. Enter Betty, a fluffy white kitten, who doesn’t seem to realize that Buster is scared of cats. When she starts purring and winding around Buster’s legs, he freezes: "Buster was terrified. He was afraid to move. 'If I ignore her,' thought Buster, 'maybe she’ll go away.'" Of course, she doesn’t, so Buster does. Running off to a park across town, Buster has a lovely day... until he realizes he has no idea how to get back home again. Can you guess who comes to the rescue?

Denise Fleming’s distinctive artistic style, as seen in such earlier picture books as The Everything Book and Alphabet Under Construction , uses pulp painting to create lush, rich pages thickly covered in color and texture. The picture book is divided into six titled "chapters," giving younger readers a feel for early chapter books, and includes a map of Buster's route home. Charming--highly recommended! (Ages 4 to 7) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Buster, a red-coated pooch, has everything he wants out of life, including personalized food dishes and a comfortable backyard with all the amenities. However, when his owner brings home a fluffy white kitten, the dog's world falls to pieces. No matter how hard Betty tries to make friends, Buster remains terrified of her. Fed up, he slips under the fence, finds his way to an unfamiliar park, and enjoys a peaceful, feline-free afternoon. Finally ready to head home, he realizes that he is lost and experiences a few frightening moments until Betty comes to his rescue. After receiving an affectionate welcome from the kitten, Buster realizes that he has "-everything he could ever want-and more." Fleming's trademark handmade-paper artwork is awash with vibrant colors and dazzling details. Body language and expressive facial features establish the personalities and reflect the emotions of the characters. A mix of double-page pictures and smaller vignettes sets the scene and keeps the action moving quickly. An eagle's-eye map of Buster's route home will have children following each twist and turn. Divided into six titled sections, this picture book has the pace and feel of a beginning chapter book. The format, as well as the use of repetitive language, makes this heartwarming tale a good choice for emergent readers, while the eye-catching illustrations make it perfect for either groups or one-on-one sharing.
Joy Fleishhacker, formerly at School Library Journal
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Square Fish (April 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805087575
• ISBN-13: 978-0805087574
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #641,328 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Denise Fleming won a Caldecott Honor for In the Small, Small Pond. She is the author and illustrator of eighteen picture books, including Buster.

***INTERVIEW***
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Toledo,Ohio, where I live still. I am a midwestern girl.

Q: What is your earliest memory of writing/drawing?
A: It seems like I was always writing and drawing. I wanted to share my ideas from the beginning. A bit bossy am I.

Q: What inspired you to write/illustrate your first book?
A: I started collecting picture books in art school. I was crazy about the whole picture book format. I realized, as I was sharing books with my daughter, that making books is what I needed to do.

Q: What are your hobbies and interests besides reading and books?
A: I work in clay, create art from tin cans, and make art dolls. Right now I am working on combining all three media. I also dye and paint fabric for the dolls.
Planting flowers and painting the outside of my house and studio is what I am busy doing right now.

Q: What one or two words of advice would you give for young authors/illustrators?
A: Experiment with different styles and media.

*From Macmillan's Denise Fleming page.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Original and very highly recommended, August 11, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buster (Hardcover)

Buster is a dog who is used to being the center of attention -- until the introduction of a kitten named Betty. Suddenly, Buster's happy days of engraved dishes, his own radio, and the ever-adoring "Brown Shoes" is turned upside down and he leaves his "Betty infected" home. At first the outside world is refreshing and gratifying -- but then night falls and Buster finds himself scared, alone, and unable to find his way back home. That's when Betty (perched in a tree across town) serves as a beacon for Buster to find his way back. From then on, Betty and Buster are the very best of friends. Denise Fleming's unique illustration style (she pours colored cotton pulp through hand-cut stencils) is as unique as her story of Buster and Betty is original and very highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We Love Buster, November 23, 2005

By 

M. Gunther (Naples, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Buster (Hardcover)

I always get books from the library to see if my kids will like them before I buy them. Needless to say, Buster is now part of our permanent collection. Our kids (ages 2 & 3) love the easy to follow story with a sweet message, and the colorful illustrations. We have also discovered Buster on tape, so the kids can read along with the tape and that's a huge hit - we have been listen to nothing but Buster for the last three weeks. Great kids' book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My kids love Buster, August 5, 2008

By 

Crease in the Page (Hills of Northern California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Buster (Hardcover)

My kids love Buster so much that when I asked what the wanted to get their cousin for Christmas, they chose Buster. I guess they really identify with the jealousy he feels toward the cat and the fear he feels when he's lost. They squealed with joy about the ending. From an educational standpoint, I like the book for the map on the last page--good for early map reading skills. I also explained the artist's techniques to the kids (I learned from the back dust-jacket flap), and we discussed how much work each picture would require--I thought that might help them learn about perseverance.