Superdog : The Heart of a Hero [BARGAIN PRICE] (Hardcover)

by Caralyn Buehner (Author), Mark Buehner (Illustrator) "Dexter was a little dog..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 3--Dexter the dachshund is an underdog--literally. Cleevis the tomcat enjoys demonstrating how he can stand right over Dex and not even ruffle his fur. What the pooch lacks in size, however, he makes up for in determination, and when he decides to stop just dreaming of being a hero and devote his life to becoming one, he is unstoppable. The first step on his journey is the library, where the poodle who assists him is wearing glasses and sports what looks suspiciously like a bun. He sets himself a strict exercise regime, pushing himself to the limit: "Even at bedtime, when he wanted to flop on the rug with his tongue hanging out, Dex forced himself to circle five extra times." He finally achieves his goal (his muscle-man poses are priceless), dons a Superdog suit, and proceeds to use his hard-earned prowess for the good of all. When he eventually comes to the rescue of a stranded Cleevis, a new partnership is formed with "twice the brains and triple the brawn." The story line may be a bit predictable, but the Buehners' considerable talents render it fresh and funny. The author has created a lovable and memorable character in the endearing and stalwart Dex, and the illustrator's retro-style artwork is charming. As in Fanny's Dream (Dial, 1996), he has added to the fun by hiding cats, rabbits, and even a Tyrannosaurus rex in the clouds and shadows. This dynamic combination of heart and humor should not be missed.--Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist
Reviewed with Steve Bjorkman's Supersnouts!

PreS-Gr. 1. Lots of kids want to be superheroes, and apparently so do certain animals. Two new books make good use of every child's longing to be the biggest, bravest, strongest. In Supersnouts! young pig Hamlet notices masked men entering the barnyard and alerts two older pigs. They slip into the costumes of the Superhero Pig Patrol and allow Hamlet to get some "on-the-hoof" training as a superhero. He causes almost as much trouble as he solves before triumphantly catching the burglars (though the actual capture is somewhat abbreviated). This rather slight story has a high quantity of hammy jokes along with plenty of bangs and booms. The attraction here is the zippy watercolor artwork, so action-filled that each spread practically quivers with movement. Although the pictures are not cartoon-style, this raucous offering does have elements of that robust medium.

Superdog has the same energy, but less slapstick and more heart. Dexter is a small dog, who decides that the way to get respect, especially from ridiculing cat Cleevis, is to become a superhero. He exercises, reads up on other superheroes, and even gets a costume. Almost immediately, he is tackling purse snatchers, rescuing rodents, and in a dramatic denouement, saves Cleevis, who is stuck in a tree. This has a stronger story than Supersnouts, but again it is the artwork that really shines. Solid shapings, surprising perspectives, and thick paints in dynamic colors combine for artwork that practically jumps off the page. There's plenty of wit, too, such as in the set of six small pictures in which Dexter shows off his newly developed muscles. Pure fun (mixed with a little forgiveness). Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (February 3, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0066236207
• ASIN: B00065X1KA
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #444,170 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dreams can come true!, January 22, 2005

By	Sallie Stephens "waterbugirl" (OHIO, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"But WANTING and BEING are two different things. Dex lived on dreams until one day, after crawling out from under Cleevis yet again, he decided there had to be more to life than gazing at the underside of a cat. There had to be more to him. If he could be a hero, he would!"

I LOVE this book! The illustrations are wonderful, colorful, and fun. The message is that if we work hard, we can often become who we want to be. That the journey is part of the process and we can learn from the journey. Lessons that we can ALL learn, not just children. Get this book if you want to laugh, but also if you want your child (or yourself!) to be inspired by Dexter's resolve and inner-strength to improve himself. A winner!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heart, Mind & Body, December 8, 2004

By	Terri (Ann Arbor, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DEX: The Heart of a Hero (Hardcover)

We first got this book from the library, and I just ordered our own copy. My son and I both love it. His kindergarten class and media teacher loved it too. Little Dexter has big dreams which he realizes through learning as much as he can and exercising his body to be fit enough for the "superhero" he becomes (despite teasing from his friends and a tomcat who ends up becoming his partner). It is not at all preachy. It provides a terrific role model for keeping a good heart and working hard to realize your dreams. The illustrations are engaging, too.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SuperDog saves the day!, October 23, 2004

By	Melissa Sack (georgia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: DEX: The Heart of a Hero (Hardcover)

Dexter is a little dog with big dreams! He dreams of being a super hero and always being able to help those in need. He trains himself to be the best SuperDog ever. His fellow dog and cat friends make fun of him and put him down. That is until one day the big bully, Cleevis, needs SuperDog's help. He's stuck in a tree and can't get down. Will SuperDog forgive him for his teasing and help him down? Read SuperDog: The Heart of A hero to find out!


This book has great pictures that help keep the readers attention as the story is being read aloud. The illustrator has even some hidden items in the book: cats, rabbits, and Tyrannosaurus Rex's for kids to find in the pictures.


I would recommed this book to kids ages 4-8. There is an important lesson to be learned from this story. The lesson is little guys can to big things too, as long as their heart is in the right place!