The Great Poochini [Hardcover]

Gary Clement (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 9, 1999 | Age Level: 4 and up

By day, Signor Poochini is just a dog sleeping in front of his master's fire. But by night he is the Great Poochini, the most acclaimed singer in all of doggie opera. One evening, a locked window threatens to keep Poochini from the opera house where his eager fans await. When a cat burglar appears, the disaster becomes Poochini's opportunity to save both his master's house and his performance.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Signor Poochini lives with his master in a large city. By day, he is Jack, an ordinary dog, but by night, he is the Great Poochini-the famous canine opera star. But trouble occurs on the evening of the premiere of Dog Giovanni. Poochini, who has the starring role, is locked inside his house when his master leaves for the night. When a cat burglar breaks in, the dog frightens him away, jumps out the window, and makes it onstage just in time. While it is doubtful that a picture-book audience will get all of the wordplay that is at the core of the story ("Dog Perignon," "Maestro Pawvarotti," "Muttropolitan Opera House"), they will be able to appreciate some of the puns. ("Dog-gone-it!" howls Poochini when he realizes he's trapped at home.) Likewise, phrases like the "nefarious prowler" and "voluminous cloak" may trip up some independent readers. However, children will enjoy the drama of the story, the ostentatious pooch, and the amusing and detailed full-color illustrations. Mary Jane Auch's Bantam of the Opera (Holiday, 1997) and Arnold Sundgaard's The Bear Who Loved Puccini (Philomel, 1992; o.p.) are similar stories enjoyed by young children.
Carolyn Stacey, Jefferson County Public Library, Golden, CO
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

By day, he's Jack, a regular dog who lives in the city. By night, he's Signor Poochini, the great canine lyric opera singer. Tonight is the premiere of Dog Giovanni and he will be singing, until he realizes his usual escape route-the window-is locked! Our hero manages to find a way out and thwart a burglar at the same time. He makes it to the show with only seconds to spare. Writer and illustrator Gary Clement offers a sophisticated setting for a pun-filled, fun-filled tale.

Reviewed by Ann and Don Oldenburg, Parents' Choice® 2000 -- From Parents' Choice®

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Groundwood Books (September 9, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0888993315
• ISBN-13: 978-0888993311
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,776,983 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Great Poochini, September 10, 2000

By 

Della M> Graham (New Orleans, LA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great Poochini (Hardcover)

A delightful anthropomorphic 'tail' about a cultured mutt who has a night job as an opera star. Gary Clement's art as well as text is sublimely punny. I enjoyed it so much that I read it to my cat, Blackie, (age 12) who was all ears. Don't miss the opening night of THE GREAT POOCHINI.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Opera goes to the dogs in wonderful children's book!, September 7, 2003

By 

Joy Fleisig (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great Poochini (Hardcover)

By day, Jack is an ordinary dog who lives with a human opera fan named Hersh, and he does ordinary dog things like burying bones, chasing cats, and fetching frisbees. But by night he jumps out the window to become The Great Poochini, the biggest star of the secret world of dog opera and the finest canine lyric tenor in the world -"handsome, housebroken, and hounded by throngs of adoring fans", he can sing high Cs that only dogs can hear. Unfortunately, on the night he is to sing the premiere of "Dog Giovanni" at the Muttropolitan Opera House, disaster strikes - not only does Hersh leave for the weekend and shut the window (Poochini's only escape route), but the house is invaded by a cat burglar! Will Poochini be able to foil this criminal and make it to the opera house in time for the performance?

Kids should get a real kick out of this book - which provides not only a dashing and clever canine hero, but also will probably either spark or add to their interest in opera. Not to mention that adult opera fans (and dog lovers!) will be delighted by the canine operatic puns. In addition to those I've already mentioned, there is also a conductor named Maestro Pawvarotti and a singer named Madam Barkoli - she and Poochini sing not "La ci darem la mano" (Put your hand in mine) but "La ci darem la zampa" (Put your PAW in mine)! Hopefully opera-loving parents will, if necessary, explain the puns to younger readers.

My only complaint is an extremely minor and picky one on the operatic front. Since in the human world Don Giovanni is always sung by a baritone or a bass, Poochini should have had one of those voice ranges, not tenor. I admit this probably won't matter to most readers and after all, it IS almost always the tenors who are the biggest stars!

Gary Clement, an editorial cartoonist for Canada's National Post, not only wrote the story but also provided the marvelous illustrations. He perfectly captures not only the secret dog "high society" world, but also lavishes loving detail on the operatic paraphenalia in Hersh's and Poochini's house. He also created wonderful operatic posters for the book's inside covers for works such as "The Dalmatian of Faust" and "The Barker of Seville".

I am in favor of any thoughtful and well-done book or CD for kids that will get them interested in classical music or opera, and using lovable animals is a very good way to do so. 'The Great Poochini' is one of the most fun books of this type I have ever read. Also, for those who love cats as well as - or instead of - dogs, I also highly recommend "Opera Cat" by Tess Weaver, illustrated by Andrea Wesson.