Customer Reviews

DOG ON A SURFBOARD (and the rest of the adventure)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book was so hard to put down!! Dog on a Surfboard has appeal not only to children, but adults too. It follows the adventures of a strong-willed dog who gives a canine perspective to human emotions. We all wish that we could see the world through our pet's eyes, and this book does the best job I've seen so far. While Lambert has written the book in a way that is appropriate for children, it definitely has emotional and psychological undertones that adults can appreciate and analyze. Bottom line: Read and enjoy!!!!

Kamehameha enjoyed surfing Hawaii's highest waves with his human pal Jeffrey. Such a sight to see, an Irish Terrier perched on the front of a surfboard with Jeffrey right behind him, riding the waves. Until the biggest Kahuna of a wave came out of nowhere and killed his best friend and surfing companion.

Kamehameha now had a new owner, Sharon, Jeffrey's daughter. Sharon wanted to be far away from the sea; and didn't give Kamehameha any choice but to go to California with her. On the plane ride Kamehameha meets Georgie a spider monkey always looking for mischief and adventure. Georgie became a great friend and literal lifesaver to Kamehameha.

With Georgie and Juliet's help, Kamehameha escaped the plane to California only to end up in the jungle where dangers lurked around every turn. Kamehameha encounters animals he had never seen before such as; twin jaguar kittens, a gigantic snake, vampires, and many more interesting carnivores. Each of which were always looking to make Kamehameha or his friends into a tasty snack.

Will Kamehameha survive in the jungle with all the beasties wanting to have him for dinner? Has he ridden his last and final wave; or is there still hope?

Billy Lambert has a very vivid imagination. Children will love to hear this story many times over. Exciting events popped up all through this book, it never ceased to amaze me at what Kamehameha and his friends could get themselves into. Mr. Lambert had me laughing aloud while reading; that along with his colorful characters, gladly earns 5 hearts from me.

This adventure goes from the warm surf of the Hawiian islands to the jungles of South America in a action-packed trail of chaos, adventure, fun and danger that kept my 8 year old begging for "a few more pages" when I read it to him each night. The antics of dog and monkey, coupled with the interaction of other animals they met along the way in their effort to find their way to freedom and home, is alternately amusing and educational, with the occasional dangerous moment to get the adreneline going. Just enough to peak a child's interest and keep him hanging on for more. It was a delight to read. I found myself wanting to read 'just a few more pages' with him!

La

I've read some definitely mundane, inane, downright silly books to my two kids. And that's okay. They liked them. Although I grimaced and simultaneously wished for something as enjoyable...hey, I had to read the darned things!...for me, as well as for them. Luckily, ever so often, a book comes along that can span all age groups, by way of enjoyability, and DOG ON A SURFBOARD (AND THE REST OF THE ADVENTURE) by Billy Lambert is one of those, rare, universally appealing pleasers. My kids liked it. I liked it. Heck, my 82-year-old mother liked it.

What's not to like about this book's hero, Irish Terrier, Kamehameha? Never a more endearing surfer, not even Bridget, came riding down the sheer face of a wave. But even this book's villains are a delight, despite their obvious attempts at mischief. Victor and Vera Vampire, and their fellow inept bloodsuckers, had me laughing aloud. As for Mother Jaguar and her twin cubs, Jack and Jock, out to make a meal of our hero?...what can I say? but that I loved them!

I loved Huge Hugh (the anaconda), Helen Harpy (the eagle), Kerry Caiman (the retile), Georgie and Juliet (the spider monkeys). What's more, I'll bet you'll find them equally as irresistible as my kids, my mother, and I did! If you pass on this one, you're passing on a book that has every potential for becoming as classic as it is classy.