Spike: Ugliest Dog in the Universe by Debra Frasier

Read this book, even if just for the pictures! Spike: The Ugliest Dog in the Universe tells the story of Spike, a dog who wins the ugliest dog award and then is abandoned by his owner. Spike is almost adopted by a boy named Joe, but Joe's mom says that it is just too expensive to have a dog. More than anything, Spike wants to avoid going to the dog pound so he enlists the help of cat to try and avoid it. Thankfully, even if he is ugly, he is a really smart dog and will manage to save himself, and someone else too!

This book is really sweet. Kids will learn that it's not what is on the outside that matters, but what is on the inside. Kids may not appreciate the illustrations as much, but adults will absolutely love them! Debra Frasier created each page using found materials, the majority of them jeans. More than once I found myself having to go back to the previous page because I had been so caught up in the images that I had forgotten to read the text (something that has never once happened to me). It's not very often that I go back and re-read picture books unless I am reading them to someone, but I think this is going to be one of those books that I'll need to revisit once in awhile. I love it!

Seriously, coolest illustrations!

Happy Reading!

-Melly

"I Could Chew On This: And Other Poems by Dogs" by Francesco Marciuliano

Following I Could Pee on This: And Other Poems by Cats comes I Could Chew On This: And Other Poems by Dogs. I loved the cat book, but this one is even better (though, as a dog owner, I could be really biased). The book is filled with poems that perfectly capture the panic a dog goes through when it's owner is missing (also known as: in the bathroom) or starts to prepare dinner and then stops to take a phone call, the embarrassment of having a human that insists on dressing their dog in clothing and what's it like to chase after a tennis ball that was never actually thrown. Dog lovers will fall in love with this book.

Francesco Marciuliano has really hit a home run with this book. I am quite the sucker for a cute dog story and I laughed quite a bit while reading this book. It is very cute though I must say it is likely not for everyone. I am certain that the only people who will enjoy this book are dog lovers so if there is a dog lover on your Christmas list and you aren't sure what to get them, there is a good chance that this would be a well received present.

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Belle's Star" by Connie Gotsch and Illustrated by John Cogan

*Part of my Local Author Spotlight!*

Belle has had a rough life. No one wants her and her owners are about to toss her to the side of the road when miracle happens. This miracle comes about in the form of a girl named Darcy. Soon Belle has something she has never known before- a real home. But after having such a rough start, can she change and learn to love and be loved in return?

Belle's Star is a great dog book. The story is told entirely from Belle's point of view, and we get to see through her eyes as she learns what is's like to be someone's pet. Connie Gotsch did a great job at capturing Belle's thoughts and what it must be like to make such a dramatic adjustment. I would consider myself very much a dog person and it is clear that the Gotsch had a great understanding of dogs and was able to channel it quite well through her writing. It's a shame that there will only be three books in about Belle. If you have an affinity for dogs and stories about them, you won't want to miss the Belle series (and if you like them, I also recommend Ann M. Martin's A Dog's Life).





Happy Reading!
-Melly