From Publishers Weekly
As singer/songwriter Estefan's first book opens, a girl welcomes her new pet: "With most of her features so oddly arranged,/ compared to most Bulldogs she looked a bit strange." Noelle soon learns that she otherwise fails to measure up: she can't run fast like Dalmatians and sinks when she tries to swim with the fish. Clunky rhymes (as when the fish spout, " 'We thought everyone everywhere knew how to swim.'/ 'So did I,' said Noelle. 'That's why I jumped in!'") lead up to a predictable outcome. A sunflower tries to reassure the pooch ("You're quite special, Noelle, with a look you can't beat./ Dark and rich like the earth and, like chocolate, so sweet"), and Noelle dreams of the day "she'd find her mysterious, magical way," which comes the next morning (e.g., she crawls under a car to retrieve a ball for the Dalmatians and rescues a stranded fish). Garland's (
SantaKid) electric-hued, at times garish digital artwork is as lacking in subtlety as the narrative. Estefan's talent is better showcased in "Noelle's Song (Been Wishin')" about finding a friend, performed on an accompanying CD.
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About the Author
International superstar Gloria Estefan is one of the most successful crossover artists in the world. Among her many honors, she was the first Hispanic woman to be named BMI songwriter of the year, was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, and is an American Music Award Lifetime Achievement recipient. She was also awarded the Ellis Island Congressional Medal of Honor for her philanthropic work. She is the New York Times bestselling author of The Magically Mysterious Adventures of Noelle the Bulldog. Gloria lives with her son Nayib, daughter Emily, and husband Emilio in Miami.
Gloria Estefan es una de las cantantes latinas mÁs exitosas del mundo entero. Fue la primera mujer hispana en ser nombrada mejor cantautora del aÑo por el sello BMI, fue la primera en entrar en el Songwriters Hall of Fame y la primera en recibir el American Music Award Lifetime Achievement. TambiÉn recibiÓ la medalla de honor de Ellis Island por parte del congreso estadounidense por sus obras de filantropÍa. Ella es la autora de Las MÁgicas y Misteriosas Aventuras de una Bulldog Llamada Noelle, cuya ediciÓn en inglÉs fue un best seller del New York Times.
