Sit, Truman! [Hardcover]

Dan Harper (Author), Cara Moser (Illustrator), Barry Moser (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

No day is ever dull with Truman around, and he has his own ideas about what he wants to do. Too bad there are so many interruptions: Heel! Sit! Fetch! STOP! And then there’s little Oscar, the dog who shares Truman’s house--and his toys. It’s no wonder things get a bit out of hand.
Big, slobbery, and endearing, Truman will make dog lovers everywhere sit up and beg for more.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

One of the most engaging pooches to hit picture books since Alexandra Day's Carl, the mastiff Truman is one big bundle of affection and drool. The compelling cover (an irresistibly expressive head shot) makes it clear that Truman is no ordinary pup, while the opening scene confirms it: "Truman, sit!" accompanies an illustration of the humongous pooch attempting to shake paws instead. The trio that engineered Telling Time with Big Mama Cat quickly sets the stage for entertainment with such props as a "Super Slobber" water bowl and drool rags. Whether poking his head into the mailbox ("Sorry, Truman, nothing for you") or standing guiltily next to a toilet ("Truman, that is not your water bowl"), it's abundantly evident that Truman is a handful. Equally fetching is Truman's tiny companion pup, Oscar, who adds comic relief in the form of contrast (such as the giant hero's bemused attempt to fit into Oscar's bed). Harper's wry, minimal text plays straight man to the father-daughter Moser team's illustrations, a series of exquisitely pellucid watercolors that wring every ounce of humor (and moisture) from Truman and his exploits. This winning tale should enthrall a wide range of ages, from (human) lap-sitters to canine-crazy adults. Ages 3-7.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

reS-Gr 2-Harper's minimal text and the Mosers' watercolor paintings are perfectly paired. Slobbery canine Truman is both exasperating and lovable. A number of exclamations and commands are aimed at this very large and rambunctious pet. The line, "Truman, that is not your water bowl" is illustrated by a picture of the dog drooling over the toilet, and will have young children laughing or cringing. "Oscar is not a toy" accompanies an illustration of the huge creature clutching his tiny canine companion in his paws. On another page, a young girl desperately holds her ice-cream cone above her head as the dog's master exhorts, "No snacks today, Truman." The ubiquitous drool rags and Truman's overwhelming frame emphasize the demands and joys of owning a large dog. The absence of the owner's shoulders and face from the paintings and the neutral background colors in the full-page artwork suggest that those who do own such a pet should be prepared to have their houses, and perhaps even their lives, taken over. Readers who enjoy Alexandra Day's "Carl" books (Farrar) will be pleased to find another irresistible canine in the same class. A delight to share with children.

Alison Kastner, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152026169
• ISBN-13: 978-0152026165
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,732,261 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truman a Hit with the Grandkids!, August 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Sit, Truman! (Hardcover)

This is a beautifully illustrated picturebook. The water colored pictures are so vivid that Truman seems to come alive. He is a huge mischievious dog that makes you laugh and steals your heart. As the words are few, we have fun using our imaginations in adding to his antics. We love him no matter what trouble he gets himself into. Therein lies the lesson for the little ones. Their faces light up everytime we pull Truman out, and that is quite often!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gentle giant, February 1, 2006

By 

Karolyn Graham "wambui" (boise) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sit, Truman! (Hardcover)

Our family LOVES this book! My son chooses it almost every night! We have a mastiff and he's our gentle giant! When we read the book we fill in Juba's name for Truman. The kids get a kick out of that. Just like Truman, Juba gets yelled at cuz he's always in the way, or knocking the kids over with his tail or drooling on us. I think that he wishes he were a little dog! You will be glad you purchased this book, even if you don't have a mastiff

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful for Kids and Big Dog Owners, December 20, 2001

By 

Steve Swann (Chattanooga, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sit, Truman! (Hardcover)

Loved the book, so did my little girl (2) it reminded the whole family of our deceased Mastiff. She had the exact same expressions.