Customer Reviews

Poodle and Hound

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Most of us remember the line "Friendship, friendship, just the perfect blendship." And, quite often blending, compromising even when two are quite different, is what friendship is all about. That's the case with Poodle and Hound who are the best of pals.

Poodle is the epitome of femininity; she loves pom-poms in her hair, a fluffy topknot, and to have her ears and feet prettified at the beauty salon. In fact, she's so pleased with the her appearance after a treatment that she stops in at the Ritz for tea. She wants to be seen and just knows Hound will never notice how nice she looks. Well, the tea is fine and the cookies are yummy but she misses Hound, so she goes on home. Once there, she's in for a surprise.

The two also differ when it comes to what to do at night. Hound loves to study the starry sky and Poodle is a bit miffed that there's only one telescope so she could see the planets, too. Hound really, really doesn't want to be distracted, but Poodle wants to be with him, so what does she do?

One thing they agree on is having a garden. But, wouldn't you know - Poodle want flowers and Hound wants vegetables. How can they reach a compromise? True friendship always finds a way. And that's the lesson young readers will learn as they smile at the conversations the two pals have and laugh at Mitch Vane's comical illustrations.

- Gail Cooke

This beginning reader by Kathryn Lasky is very much in the tradition of Frog and Toad, George and Martha, and other series. Poodle and Hound have very different personalities--Poodle loves to look beautiful and grow flowers; Hound is more prosaic and likes to grow vegetables. However, despite their differences (or perhaps because of them!) they are great friends. The book consists of three chapters, each of which is a separate story that can be read on its own. The book uses a gentle sense of humor and could appeal to both boys and girls.

From the beauty salon and the Ritz alone, to tea for two and a cookie or two, the dynamic duo of Poodle and Hound dance across the pages with their devotion. Hound introduces Poodle to the stars and planets, and Poodle tells stories. Hound plans a garden of vegetables, which grows to include Poodles' "fabulous flowers." Together, they celebrate with a "fabulous feast."