Welcome to the Bed and Biscuit [Hardcover]

Joan Carris (Author), Noah Z. Jones (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Grampa's menagerie of pets are rubbed the wrong way when a needy little critter arrives in this lighthearted chapter book.

Grampa Bender wouldn't be able to run the Bed and Biscuit animal boardinghouse without the help of Ernest the pig, Gabby the mynah bird, and Milly the cat. In fact, the three animals have always thought of themselves as Grampa's family — and they assumed he felt the same way. But when Grampa comes home with a mysterious bundle and stops paying attention to his loyal companions, they start to question his affections. Engaging illustrations by Noah Z. Jones, capturing every endearing trait of this oddball family, complement Joan Carris's humorous, heartwarming book for middle-grade readers.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3–Mini-pig Ernest, mynah bird Gabby, and Milly the cat help Grampa Bender in his day-to-day chores at the Bed and Biscuit, a friendly animal shelter. Lately, however, Grampa has been spending all of his time with a sick Scottie pup, and the other animals, particularly Milly, are feeling more than a twinge of jealousy. When she vanishes, it's up to Ernest and Gabby to find their friend and convince her that even though there's a new member of the family, Grampa doesn't love her any less. This low-key metaphor is sure to hit a chord with children adjusting to a new baby. At the same time, others will love the story and the relationships among these wildly different personalities. This is a small, remarkably sweet beginning chapter book with more than its fair share of amusing illustrations and gentle humor. Animal lovers are bound to lap it up.–Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

There's a full house at Grandpa Bender's Bed and Biscuit, where the vet boards animals. Besides the guests, Grandpa has cows and chickens, but his inside animals are his family: Gabby the mynah bird; Milly, a young cat; and Ernest, a very clever minipig. When a fire orphans a tiny puppy, Grandpa brings it home, too--to the dismay of the other animals, especially Milly, who has enjoyed being the baby of the family. Kids just past the easy-reader stage will enjoy this. Each animal has a distinct, fully rounded personality, and the story is nicely paced, with a certain amount of mystery, at first, about just who the newcomer is. Carris cleverly makes Gabby able to talk with the outside world in the guise of idle mynah bird chatter. She also uses the animals' fear of losing Grandpa's affection as a metaphor for the sense of displacement new siblings often feel. Simple line illustrations break up the text, making it easier to read. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (September 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076362151X
• ISBN-13: 978-0763621513
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 0.6 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #431,153 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Laugh Out Loud Funny, March 12, 2007

By 

Minda S. Goldsmith "Book Afficionado" (Lumberton, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Welcome to the Bed and Biscuit (Hardcover)

I believe the truest test of a good children's book is when the adult enjoys it as much as the children. I truly enjoyed reading "Welcome To The Bed and Biscuit". As with "Charlotte's Web", I found myself identifying with the animals, cheering them on, and laughing out loud as I read this wonderful story. Truly a "must read" not only for your children, but for you as well.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best kid's book i've read in ages!!, March 29, 2011

By 

Julia A. Farris "library lady" (arlington heights, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Welcome to the Bed and Biscuit (Bed & Biscuit) (Paperback)

i am a children's librarian and am always looking
for FANTASTIC fiction for the "early readers"....
if you can give them a FANTASTIC book, they
MIGHT want to read again!!!
this one goes to the top of my list!!!
(animal lovers unite!!)
universal appeal!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Author Joan Carris's comments on Welcome To The Bed and Biscuit, November 28, 2006

By 

Joan D. Carris (Beaufort, North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Welcome to the Bed and Biscuit (Hardcover)

I wrote this book hoping that my readers would find at least one laugh on every page--and enjoy the mysteries, too. They'll recognize Ernest, Gabby, and Milly as kids like themselves, despite their animal "disguises." Being part of a blended family isn't easy at first, but it can be awfully funny, as it is here. If I'm not laughing as I write the book, something is wrong, and with this manuscript I had many happy days. I hope my readers will, too.
---Joan Carris, 2006