Penny and Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting [Paperback]

Jennifer Swanson (Author), Rosita Schandy (Illustrator), Neal Wooten (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Penny and Rio are two dogs who are complete opposites. Penny is curious and always on the go, while Rio prefers a good nap. At their new house, Penny discovers that their backyard is the meeting place for several different animals. Penny doesn't know why a cat, a groundhog, a squirrel, and an owl could possibly be meeting, but she knows she has to find out. She comes up with an ingenious plan for spying on them and discovers their plot. She has to stop them - but can she get her sister dog, Rio, to help her or will Rio decide that sleep is more important? Follow along as these two pet detectives, Penny and Rio solve the first of many cases in Penny and Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Dove Worldview: Go on this first adventure with Penny and Rio. This charming story will become a favorite to any child, especially those with pets. With wonderfully illustrated pictures of the duo's adventure, it is a great book to encourage reading. Children will enjoy following this mystery as the two dogs discover the true reason for the meeting. Dove awards the Dove "Family-Approved" Seal for all ages to this wonderful book. --The Dove Foundation

Review

Penny and Rio: The Mysterious Backyarg Meeting is a recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award. The Mom's Choice Awards honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times Best-Selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, Motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books; Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, and founder of the Mom's Choice Awards. Parents and educators look for the Mom s Choice Awards seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This book/product has been honored by this distinguished award.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 44 pages
• Publisher: Mirror Publishing (December 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982256019
• ISBN-13: 978-0982256015
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,395,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jennifer Swanson was born with the love of reading. She began writing at the young age of 5 and has been doing it ever since. A middle school science teacher, wife, and mother of three children, Jennifer spends many happy hours creating new stories to share with her readers.

Her biggest inspiration came when she combined writing with her love of dogs, and her first book, Penny and Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting, was created. The three book series has gone on to win the coveted Mom's Choice Award as well at theDove Foundation's Family Approved Seal.

Now Jennifer has decided to involve her other love in her books and has turned her hand to writing nonfiction science books for kids. Seven of her latest books have just been released. Ranging from invisible creatures of the creeply crawly variety to solar cars and submarines, Jennifer's book show children that science is FUN!!

A perpetual writer, Jennifer is always developing new story ideas and concepts. Keep an eye out for her in the future.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "ENCHANTING AND DELIGHTFUL!", August 23, 2009

By 

Geraldine Ahearn "Author Geri Ahearn" (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Penny and Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting (Paperback)

Jennifer Swanson's extraordinary children's story is a sweet tale about two dogs, an owl, a
groundhog, and a cat. Penny & Rio are two dogs who are complete opposites, with unique personalities. Penny is curious, noisy, and a great detective. Her sister Rio on the other hand, is quite content to just be lazy, and sleep the day away. Penny attempts to persuade
Rio to help unravel the mystery in their backyard, which Penny has been observing, and
investigating. Penny becomes rambunctious to begin research on the four intruders, invading
Penny and Rio's territory in the dark of night. As the adventure begins, we are introduced
to the actions of Buster, Shadow, Nutty and Feathers. They are determined to invade the house
next door, while Penny comes up with her own ingenious plan as she continues to spy, during
Rio's naps. Does Penny succeed to stop the critter invasion, without her sister's help? Why
was the neighbor's house a target for the intruders? What information did we find out during
the peculiar evening gatherings? Penny steals the show with her astounding ability, determination, and courage, despite getting punished for her actions. I highly recommend this
cute children's book for young readers, for dog lovers, and for everyone who's still young at
heart. The moral of the story is educational, the illustrations are colorful, and the thrills
make you laugh. The reader will learn about unexpected circumstances, and how we should love
and respect our pets through a journey of acceptance. "PENNY & RIO: The Mysterious Backyard
Meeting" is as fun-loving as LOOK WHO'S TALKING NOW, and as entertaining as Walt Disney's
AIR BUDDIES.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At times even laugh-out-loud funny, July 6, 2009

By 

Lisa Barker - See all my reviews

This review is from: Penny and Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting (Paperback)

Lol! This is a great book. Penny steals the show and Rio is the winning 'straight man.' Not just a book about dogs with human characteristics - not at all. You can honestly tell these two dogs (real characters at that) really did behave this way and the story hooks you right in with both dogs' unique characterizations. We are a pet family here and I know my son is going to love, love, love this because our pets have such endearing personalities, too. We can relate! Great job.

This book is geared for readers aged 9-12, but younger listeners will love having Penny & Rio's adventures read to them as well.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Penny & Rio - The Mysterious Backyard Meeting, June 18, 2009

By 

Donna M. McDine - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Penny and Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting (Paperback)

Not in her nature to have a dog day afternoon, dog Penny finds herself on an adventure in her new backyard attempting to discover the purpose behind the peculiar nighttime meetings between several different animals. Unsuccessful in coaxing her sister dog Rio to assist in uncovering the truth behind the gatherings, Penny remains determined to prove the other animals are up to no good. Unexpected circumstances arise and along the way Penny learns not to judge a book by its cover and not to fall into prejudgment of someone's actions.

Children's author, Jennifer Swanson takes the reader on the journey of acceptance of others in an endearing nature without preaching. Coupled with Rosita Schandy and Neal Wooten's vibrant illustrations and the talented storytelling of Jennifer Swanson it will have the reader cheering out loud time and time again as the adventures of Penny & Rio are read many times over.

There is no wonder Penny & Rio - The Mysterious Backyard Meeting is an award winning children's book bestowed by 2009 Mom's Choice Silver Award, 2008 Florida Writer's Association Royal Palm Literary Awards, and The Dove Foundation's "Family Approved" Seal.