Amazon.com Review
Who'd've thunk J.K. Rowling's work would be parodied by a clever, wire-haired dachshund pup? Fortunately, that's no indignity, seeing as we're talking about none other than Howie Monroe, the budding canine author of other Tales from the House of Bunnicula.
Bunnicula fans already know (and likely love) Howie, and it's a treat to watch him sink his teeth into the first Harry Potter book. (Although, admittedly, Howie doesn't see it that way: "This is a serious work of fiction!!!! I can't believe my editor would call it a parody!") Just as in It Came from Beneath the Bed!, this installment alternates between entries in Howie's writing journal (complete with authorial advice from his Uncle Harold) and chapters in the story that Howie's writing about a lovable, plucky, wire-haired dachshund named Howie. Howie (the plucky character) leaves home to attend the Dogwiz Academy for Canine Conjurers, and that's just the beginning of his uncanny resemblance to that other young wizard. In his quest to enter the Doghouse of Doom and face "The-Evil-Force-Whose-Name-C'not-Be-Spoke (a.k.a. Herbert)," Howie must release the Seven-Headed Schnauzer, crawl through the Tunnel of Terrible Things, and face all sorts of other perils. ("Would he ever again return to Centreville? Would he ever again sleep under Pete's bed? Would he ever again get to use the words 'ever again' in a sentence?")
As Howie (the aspiring author) sagely observes at one point, "This writing business involves way too much thinking." But kids will appreciate the effort and the tale--and might even learn a thing or two themselves about creating and structuring stories. Which, presumably, is exactly what Uncle Harold hopes for his nephew:
"Well, Howie, the big question a writer has to ask himself is--" "When do I get paid?"
"That wasn't what I was going to say."
(Ages 9 to 12)
--Paul Hughes
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6-Howe's fans will be delighted with this tale that features Howie, the Monroe family's wirehaired dachshund. Toby Monroe has been reading aloud a story about an orphan boy who lives with mean relatives, until he goes to a special school where he learns he has magical powers, and Howie is inspired to write himself into a similar story. In the story-within-a-story, he receives a letter from Dogwiz Academy for Canine Conjurers, and he and two friends set off for the school. Upon their arrival, they encounter a giant dog named Hamlet who explains why everyone is whispering, "there's HOWIE MONROE!" Many of the references will be familiar to anyone who has read "Harry Potter": "The-Evil-Force-Whose-Nam-C'not-Be-Spoke," thugs Bacon "Baco" Malcontent and his gang Grab and Run, and Professor Sneak. The pup uses his sharp observation and wickedly funny sense of humor to parody, but not diminish, the popular series. Readers will find a laugh a page (and often more) as the canine revisits many of the adventures of that other famous wizard. Interspersed with the tale is Howie's journal, which is featured in all of his stories.
JoAnn Jonas, Chula Vista Public Library, San Diego, CACopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
