Selby: The Secret Adventures of a Talking Dog [Paperback]

Duncan Ball (Author), M. K. Brown (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1997 | Age Level: 7 and up

Follows the adventures of the world's only talking dog as he tries to keep his talents a secret from his owners.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4?Selby is a medium-sized, generic dog who discovers his gift of gab while watching the soaps on TV one night. Living in Australia with Mrs. Trifle, the mayor of Bogusville, and her inventor husband, Selby is a dog-about-town going to movies, concerts, and magic shows, and even acting in a play. All of this is done surreptitiously, of course, since he wants to avoid the inevitable fame that would accompany the discovery of a talking?and literate?dog as well as the distinct possibility that the Trifles will turn him into their butler rather than a houseguest. After Selby reads The Art of the Private Investigator in the fourth of these dozen short story adventures, he becomes an unstoppable detective, solving a variety of local crimes and mysteries from stolen stamps to poltergeists. Lower elementary school-aged children may enjoy hearing these 15-minute read-alouds, but older kids will disdain their insipidity.?John Sigwald, Unger Memorial Library, Plainview, TX
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-6. Thirteen loosely connected stories feature Selby, the only talking dog in Australia and, perhaps, the world. His ability to read, write, and speak English fluently enables him to win free yacht trips to the Great Barrier Reef, solve a mystery involving some missing model soldiers, and prevent the theft of a rare stamp. Throughout, he jealously guards his secret talents so his owners won't expect him to answer the phone, open the door, or run errands for them. Young readers are sure to enjoy the light, breezy style, and adults and older children will appreciate Ball's subtle humor and numerous puns. Illustrated with black-line sketches, this will appeal to dog lovers, beginning chapter-book readers, and devotees of Susan Meddaugh's Martha Speaks books. Kay Weisman

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 102 pages
• Publisher: Trophy Pr (February 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064406733
• ISBN-13: 978-0064406734
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,451,814 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Characters!!, April 25, 2011

By 

CharlotteLS - See all my reviews

This review is from: Selby: The Secret Adventures of a Talking Dog (Paperback)

Selby: the Adventures of a Talking Dog is the collection of genius books by Duncan Ball. Selby is the only talking dog in Australia and perhaps the world, which can be fun, but can also create a lot of problems. He does not want anyone to find out about his talent. He loves his owners, The Trifles, but he is afraid they would put him through all sorts of scientific testings and make him serve themc if they found out. However, he is not as careful as he should be and there are many times when his secret almost comes out.
Duncan Ball does a great job of making a dog's dreary life come to life. After reading this book, you will find yourself thinking about your own pets, and if they understood everything you say. The Australian humor is amazing and these books. As much as I loved these books, they are not the kind that you want to read over and over. Once is enough.
I say, read Selby: The Adventures of a Talking Dog! You will NOT regret it!