Customer Reviews

Penny and Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting

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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.

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.

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.

This is a wonderful chapter book! My kids made me read the whole book so they could find out the ending. The animals are adorable, and there is an illustration on every page to entertain the younger kids. We loved it!

Ever wonder why on earth your dog dug up the flowers? Or barked like mad to get out in the middle of the night? Or crawled under the fence? Or snuck into the neighbor's house?

The Penny and Rio series just might have the answers for you as it delves into life from a dog's perspective. It's all part of your detective dog's mystery-solving duties, of course...

In the book Penny & Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting, you'll meet two completely opposite canines. Penny uncovers a plot by a cat, an owl, a groundhog, and a squirrel to break into the neighbor's house. And of course, it's up to her to guard the neighborhood and foil the plot, while "good man" buddy Rio lazily sleeps on.

I'll stop right there so I don't spoil the mystery for you...

The Author

In addition to being owner to real-life Penny and Rio, Jennifer Swanson has three children. You can find her "ferrying her kids to soccer practice or games, studying hard for her Masters in Education class, relaxing with her husband or most importantly, hard at work on a new mystery for the intrepid Penny and Rio to solve. Jennifer has also recently become a middle school science instructor for John Hopkin University's Center for Talented Youth." She is committed to helping animals and has taught her kids the same values.

Our Review

If you are looking for an introductory chapter book for a toddler, then I highly recommend this one. It has colorful, fun illustrations on every other page or so that kept 2-year-old Esmé's attention as I read through the book. Since it was the first chapter book I've really attempted reading to her, my expectations weren't too high, but when I tried to put the book away after one chapter, she insisted on continuing! We made it through all five chapters (42 pages) in two sittings.

The book is actually intended for an older audience, maybe up to age 9 or so. The story line was pretty basic with a fairly simple vocabulary.

It was fun introducing Esmé to the concept that each of the different animals not only had its animal name (cat, owl), but also a personalized name (Buster, Feathers) - since she is so into arguing about what to call things these days. ("I not Esmé, I girl!" or "That's not Mommy, that's Jane!") She enjoyed describing what was happening in the pictures after I had read about it: "That flower broken! That dog make flowers broken!"

If you're looking for a lesson from the book, it might be that you shouldn't jump to conclusions or make quick judgments of others, because things aren't always what they appear to be.

(Though you might want to explain that it was still wrong for Penny to dig up the flowers or dig under the fence, even though she had a perfectly good reason for doing so.)

Overall, a cute sweet read based on real-life dogs that my little girl enjoyed very much.

For more information on this and upcoming Penny & Rio books (and coloring pages to go with the book, too!), visit Penny & Rio's website [...]

Penny & Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting is a softcover children's book featuring two canine friends who are diametric opposites. Penny is curious and adventurous, while her sister Rio likes to sleep most of the day. When Penny discovers that a cat, a groundhog, a squirrel, and an owl are using her backyard as a meeting place, she is determined to learn more about what is going on - while Rio is convinced that sleep is more important. The narrative story is detailed enough to make Penny & Rio ideal for young people who are almost ready to graduate to chapter books, and an important underlying theme - that one should be responsible for one's current pets and not abandon them to the city pound for a new pet - is also present in the cat's tale. Highly recommended, especially for young dog lovers.

If your children love pets then they will love Penny & Rio. These two dogs are very funny. This story gives kids a pets point of view as to what makes them bark and take a lot of naps.

This 5 chapter book is an enjoyable quick read. Penny is a very active dog. She likes to dig and play in the back yard. She often finds herself locked in the garage when she barks so much her owner wakes up. Rio, on the other hand is a nap taker. She would prefer to lounge around and have Penny keep her abreast on the yard activities.

The mysterious backyard meeting begins when Penny over hears a squirrel, owl and cat discussing a break in to the neighbors house. Penny is compelled to stop them but needs help from Rio. But that takes some convincing. They dig up the yard under a piece of broken fence to get to the neighbors house. Once inside Penny discovers that the cat has a baby brother that needs rescuing. Penny helps save the day. Mystery solved.

Author Jennifer Swanson was awarded the Childrens Choice award in 2008 and also the Royal Palm Literary Award. To learn more visit [...]. You can also visit Jennifer Swanson's site at [...]

An award-winning debut adventure series for young children, this book not only gives the child a pair of unlikely investigators, but delivers a message as well. Much like a chapter book with very short chapters, it can be read to younger children, or used as an early reader. Jennifer Swanson is really onto something with this mystery series.

The two investigators, Penny and Rio, are two dogs with different personalities. When Penny discovers a mystery in their new backyard, she wants to get to the bottom of it, fast. But Rio doesn't want to bother, saying it's not their business. When Penny sees a cat and an owl sitting and talking together she knows that this is not quite right. Birds and cats shouldn't be together, there has to be something more to it. And what about the other animals who seem to be involved, too?

Penny finds herself a hiding place where she can keep an eye on what is happening. She is careful because she has already been in trouble over the barking she did and had to sleep in the garage. Penny doesn't give up trying to solve the mystery, though. When she overhears the plot, or part of it, she tries to talk to Fifi, the dog next door, to warn her about the animals' plans, but Fifi doesn't believe her.

This is an excellent book for children Smaller than a regular chapter book, an early chapter book, the story has enough laughs, enough mystery, enough investigating to keep their interest, illustrations on almost every page, and a surprise ending, all in one lively little book. I know my grandchildren will be looking for the next one! Dog lovers especially should enjoy the antics of Penny and Rio, and the other animals. Illustrated by Rosita Schandy and Neal Wooten. Recommended for children, parents and grandparents; also pre-school, kindergarten and early school.

Penny & Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting
By Jennifer Swanson

Penny & Rio move to a new home! Eager to check out her new back yard, Penny discovers an Owl and a cat talking to each other. Rio, who is completely content lying on the porch and enjoying the sun, tells her to stop being so curious and ignore the "meeting" she claims the two animals are having. Penny is just sure the animals are up to something. She makes a hide out and spies on their meeting, uncovering a plot to break into the neighbors' house. Fearful that her house will be next she decides to foil the plan! When the neighbors dog Fifi doesn't believe Penny she takes matters into her own hands! She is not able to do so alone however, and Rio is enlisted to help! This cute, funny story is a tale of team work and co-operation to help a friend, only the friend is not who you think it is! Children of all ages will love this story of two sister dogs and their adventure next door!

This book was magnetizing, after I got through the first chapter. The story picked up and started to draw me into the book during the second chapter. It made me wonder what was really taking place in the animals' scheme. The animals' grouping together in a meeting was entertaining. I wondered at what most dogs and other animals think about during their day. Are they interested in the happening just like Penny and Rio? Penny & Rio is a wonderful, interesting read for any reader ages 8 - 12.

I actually read this book after the other Penny & Rio book that was book 2. This book is actually the 1st book in a series but it didn't seam to matter. These story's can be read as a stand alone book. My children enjoyed this just as much as the other one we had finished reading.

These two pet detectives seam to find adventures everywhere well I should say Penny finds the adventures while Rio would prefer to nap at their new house. Penny finds out that their back yard has some unusual animals meeting in it. Why is a cat, groundhog squirel and an owl meeting in their back yard. Penny was going to get to the bottom of this and find out what they are up to even if Rio wanted to just nap.

My children where glued to this book as I read on. My youngest son absolutely loves these Penny and Rio books and I'm glad I found these 2 great books for him to enjoy. I actually had to quiet him down on a couple of occasions because he was trying to figure out the adventure a head of what I was reading he was that interested in these books. These are very good mystery books for elementary age children. I would defiantly recommend this book to others.

*I received a complementary copy of Penny & Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting for review. This was provided to me by the author Jennifer Swanson threw an opportunity of the Mom Relations. Receiving a complementary copy of this book doesn't obligate me to give a good or bad review. I am an honest reviewer. My Reviews are written by me based on my own opinion*