Customer Reviews

Four little puppies

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This book, which pairs an old-fashioned story with black and white photos of costumed puppies, is currently my two-year-old son's favorite book -- you know, the one I have to read three times a day.... It doesn't hold the same fascination for the adults in the house, (and hadn't been a favorite with big sister,) but it's sweet enough. It's a morality tale of the sort that could be treacly and/or offensive in the hands of a less skillful writer. Three of the puppies spend their day goofing off, and get no bones for their supper; but the fourth is a good little puppy, who works industriously at helping his aunt, selling newspapers, and helping a stray kitten. He's rewarded with a bone stew and a ride in an airplane. Something about how self-consciously old-fashioned the book is makes all of this forgivable. On a side note: my sister-in-law and I have a long running debate about picture books that end with bedtime (she feels it's coercive and often doesn't really fit the plot). This book at least comes right out with that final message -- no subtle manipulation about it. The last page reads, "Did you enjoy that story? Good -- now go to sleep!" My son responds agreeably to that at bedtime, and giggles at it when we're reading the book first thing in the morning.