Poodle and Hound (Hardcover)

~ Kathryn Lasky (Author), Mitch Vane (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4–This early chapter book consists of three stories. In the first, Poodle goes to the beauty salon to have her fur done and is pleased with the results. She does not think Hound will appreciate her beauty, so she has a lonely tea at the Ritz and waits to be admired. When she returns home, Hound does notice and wisely tells her, Nothing is ever wasted on a friend. Next, Hound is counting the stars and comparing the brightness of the planets when Poodle appears and distracts him. Finally, he puts aside his telescope and listens to her story of snakes and monsters on the moon. They spend the rest of the night whispering of stars and moons and planets with strange rings. In the final story, Hound is planting a vegetable garden. They learn about bugs from Poodle's library book, and by planting flowers that attract the good ones, Hound has the best garden ever. If Poodle is bossy, often bored, and more than a little vain, Hound makes allowances. Illustrations in watercolor and pen show a feminine poufy white poodle and a not exactly pretty Hound going about their activities and clearly enjoying one another's company. Reluctant readers will be part of the larger audience who will enjoy these adventures.–Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN
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Review

Although they re best friends, Poodle and Hound are also very different. Poodle thinks Hound is more interested in reading newspapers than in admiring her fancy, beribboned new salon do. Studious Hound is annoyed when Poodle interrupts his stargazing. And neither agrees on what to plant in their new garden. In three scenarios, however, each friend discovers new things to appreciate about the other. The lively prose, in large, well-spaced print, provides an entertaining, accessible celebration of friendship. While illustrating how individual differences sometimes bring conflict, the stories ultimately show how sharing others interests can bring mutual enjoyment and enhance relationships. The colorful, watercolor-and-ink illustrations incorporate word balloons and amusing, whimsical details and show fluffy Poodle and longeared, bow-tied Hound in everyday activities, from eating cookies to planting a garden. A warm story for beginning chapter-book readers to tackle on their own, or for reading aloud with preschoolers. --Booklist

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing; New edition (July 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580893228
• ISBN-13: 978-1580893220
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #320,804 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars cute beginning reader, June 25, 2009

By	M. Tanenbaum (Claremont, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This beginning reader by Kathryn Lasky is very much in the tradition of Frog and Toad, George and Martha, and other series. Poodle and Hound have very different personalities--Poodle loves to look beautiful and grow flowers; Hound is more prosaic and likes to grow vegetables. However, despite their differences (or perhaps because of them!) they are great friends. The book consists of three chapters, each of which is a separate story that can be read on its own. The book uses a gentle sense of humor and could appeal to both boys and girls.

4.0 out of 5 stars FRIENDSHIP IS A BLENDSHIP, July 10, 2009

By	Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

Most of us remember the line "Friendship, friendship, just the perfect blendship." And, quite often blending, compromising even when two are quite different, is what friendship is all about. That's the case with Poodle and Hound who are the best of pals.

Poodle is the epitome of femininity; she loves pom-poms in her hair, a fluffy topknot, and to have her ears and feet prettified at the beauty salon. In fact, she's so pleased with the her appearance after a treatment that she stops in at the Ritz for tea. She wants to be seen and just knows Hound will never notice how nice she looks. Well, the tea is fine and the cookies are yummy but she misses Hound, so she goes on home. Once there, she's in for a surprise.

The two also differ when it comes to what to do at night. Hound loves to study the starry sky and Poodle is a bit miffed that there's only one telescope so she could see the planets, too. Hound really, really doesn't want to be distracted, but Poodle wants to be with him, so what does she do?

One thing they agree on is having a garden. But, wouldn't you know - Poodle want flowers and Hound wants vegetables. How can they reach a compromise? True friendship always finds a way. And that's the lesson young readers will learn as they smile at the conversations the two pals have and laugh at Mitch Vane's comical illustrations.

- Gail Cooke