Charlie's Checklist [Hardcover]

Rory S Lerman (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Placing a want ad for a new owner, Charlie, an industrious country dog, discovers that his list of requirements has grown longer and longer, until only one little boy is able to fit the bill.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2. Charlie is a puppy who was born on a farm but longs for city life. After he advertises in the newspaper for an owner, he is flooded with letters. Together with Chester, the boy from the next farm, he considers the offers. Because the pooch has strict criteria, he rejects many applicants, spending his free time playing with Chester and dreaming of city life. Finally, the perfect letter arrives, and Charlie is ecstatic about going?until he realizes he must leave Chester. Of course, readers have already realized that the dog is overlooking the best possible friend?Chester?and that's part of the story's fun. The bright, childlike illustrations and vibrant colors add to the read-aloud potential. Charlie is a black-and-white bundle of energy that any child would cherish as a playmate.?Kathy Piehl, Mankato State University, MN
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4-7. Although he was born in the countryside, Charlie has his heart set on living in a big city. When he submits a personal ad to a London newspaper, readers will see that Charlie isn't the freckle-faced boy in the opening composition. That's Chester. Charlie is a six-week-old puppy. When he finally gets a response from the ideal candidate, Charlie can't understand why Chester looks so forlorn. Then he realizes that Chester meets all his criteria for a new owner: "Must have room for me. Must be kind to animals. Must provide me with a stable home." Bartlett's deceptively simple acrylic paintings have bold forms, vibrant colors, and robust brushstrokes. The simply written text is also clever: Charlie uses a trampoline to reach the top of his huge pile of letters, and he and Chester sometimes spend all night playing cards on top of the barn. Awfully nice. Julie Corsaro

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic (March 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531300013
• ISBN-13: 978-0531300015
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,186,506 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 lovely, funny and sweet story with gorgeous illustartions., October 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Charlie's Checklist (Hardcover)

This is an excellent picture book with a funny and heart warming story. The illustrations are really bright and fun to look at time and time agin. The characters Charlie the dog, and Chester his friend, have so much personality and my kids love waiting to see if they will stay together. The book also teaches a wonderful and true lesson which is that people are always looking elsewhere for happiness without appreciating what they have at home. I think this is an important lesson for children especially, and this sweet book conveys the message without being too obvious. I have given this book as a gift to adults as well who always cry at the end! Highly recommended!!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charlie's Checklist, June 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Charlie's Checklist (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful and sweet book. My daughters have fallen in love with Charlie and Chester, and take delight in every reading. It's a beautifully told story, that children can easily understand. We all eagerly await the ending, no matter how many times we read it the children laugh and cheer when Charlie and Chester remain together. I highly recommend this book for children of all ages. I look forward to the next books by Ms. Lerman.