Poodlena [Hardcover]

E.B. McHenry (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Poodlena is a star. Every day she powders and pinks herself to perfection. And every day she parades through the park, keeping clean and perfect. One day, after a heavy rain, another dog knocks poor Poodlena right off the path and into a giant mud puddle. The mud is dirty and icky. . . and so much fun! Now Poodlena still primps and pinks herself close to perfect-but she always saves time for playing with friends, too!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1–A pampered, meticulously groomed poodle that lives in a big-city high-rise visits the dog park each afternoon with her master, but remains at a safe distance from the other pooches at play. She desires only to be seen and admired. Then one day, after heavy rains, she is knocked flat and for the first time discovers the fun of rolling in the mud and running with the other canines. Large illustrations done in gouache in bubble-gum shades complement the rhyming text, illustrating the follies of the spoiled pink poodle. An amusing addition.–Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 1. Poodlena looks like cotton candy. She powders and fluffs and preens, and her pompadour is a pink mountain of hair that must be sprayed with regularity. Each day, Poodlena leaves her high-rise apartment and is walked through city traffic to the park where there's "a wild dog park scene"--she's far too well groomed to take part. But one day as Poodlena heads out for her constitutional, she's knocked into the mud by a dog chasing a ball. Though she's indignant at first (and first-time dirty), she comes to realize that a little less glamour will make it easier for her to romp with other canines. The story is slight. The fun comes from the illustrations, slathered in pinks and golds, which have a retro feel and conjure up visions of a 1950s New York. A human primps and walks Poodlena, but the dog is clearly in charge, and kids will have a laugh over how she loves being tweezed and teased to a fare-thee-well, captured quite delightfully in the full spreads and vignettes. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens (May 4, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582348243
• ISBN-13: 978-1582348247
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 10 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #296,927 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poodlena, July 8, 2004

By 

Tammy Gawryszewski (Fairfield, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Poodlena (Hardcover)

Poodlena Pompadour, the dainty pink puddle, lives a rather glamorous life-style on the top floor of a high-rise. Her male owner fluffs her cotton candy-like head of hair, which is of course pink, as well as, powders and perfumes her each day before her afternoon play time at the park. Much too stunning to join in with the other dogs in their rough games, Poodlena simply remains spotless on the sidewalk. After a heavy rainfall an unforeseen twist occurs that alters Poodlena's prissy routine.
E. B. McHenry's charming story is definitely a girly-girl book. With the powder pink pages and countless beauty supplies many girls will be able to relate to the primping that Poodlena endures. The surroundings appear French, from the manuscript font to Poodlena's owner's attire. The song-like verse and softly painted illustrations are remarkable. E. B. McHenry's writing style resembles David Kirk of the Miss Spider books. E. B. McHenry writes in four-line rhyming verses, similar to Mr. Kirk, to tell the frilly life of "little miss" Poodlena, whose daily regimen keeps her pristine.

excerpt:

"In a big-city high-rise
On the very top floor
Lived a pink, fluffy poodle-
Poodlena Pompadour.

She wore on her head
A pink mountain of hair,
As light as a feather,
And mostly pink air."

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun for all poodle lovers, July 20, 2005

By 

Cherry Ames (San Diego) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Poodlena (Hardcover)

I guess that the best way to describe this book is as a cross between Eloise and Dr. Seuss.
The illustrations are adorable and I wish that I could have a print to frame of Poodlena primping and "pinking" herself up.
This is a darling little book that I would recommend to all poodle lovers, young and old. [If you've never been owned by a poodle you wouldn't understand.]

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable New Children's Book, September 2, 2004

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Poodlena (Hardcover)

Ms. Poodlena Pompadour, a poofy, pink poodle, lives quite the life in a high-rise apartment on the very top floor, in a beautiful big city. Every day Poodlena has a crew of stylists come into her high-rise apartment to primp her up. They poof her, and pink her, and fluff her right up. Then, she is taken to the park at three quarters past four everyday, where, as opposed to playing, like the other dogs who visit the park daily, she parades by them on the walking trail, making sure to never get messy. However, by doing this, Poodlena never has the opportunity to have any fun, for you must get a bit dirty to have some fun. So, after a long rain, Poodlena gets all puffed up, and heads to the park, where she is promptly knocked into the mud by a dog chasing a ball. It is only then that Poodlena realizes that she would have much more fun if she spent less time poofing, and more time playing.

E.B. McHenry has created an enchanting new character in POODLENA. Told in a wonderful rhyming prose, and filled with wonderful illustrations, featuring various pink puffs and swirls, and pink little curls, POODLENA is sure to become a hit with children. A must-have on the bookshelf for any family, whether you have children or not.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper