Freckles

What a great book. The message is very good for kids and adults- to be principle-centered! Freckles the puppy gets lost and then takes up company with some wild and mean dogs. Freckles hangs out with them and has a sense of belonging to the group until he realizes the mean and unjust things the dogs are doing to the other forest animals. He then must choose between remaining with the wild dog "family" (thereby ignoring his conscience) or take a stand for just principles, risking being cast out of the pack to be alone in the woods again. Freckles ends up listening to his conscience and doing the right thing, but is cast out of the pack. Although he has been rejected by his own species for standing up for what is right, Freckles is embraced by the other forest animals and ends up with more friends than he could ever imagine. The illustration by David Stanley is totally amazing. I can stare at the pictures all day. The old rusty pickup truck riding down the country road with all the puppies bouncing in it is a rich and dynamic scene. When I stare at it, as when I stare at the other frames, I feel more like I am watching an IMAX movie than simply looking at a 2-dimensional page. The expressions and personalities of all the characters in the book are magnificently represented with clarity and color. It is a visual feast. I enjoy reading it to my two-year-old daughter but find myself lost in staring at each page far too long to keep her attention.

My son and I both have fun reading Freckles. Although at 14 months he doesn't understand the lessons (and there are numerous lessons to be learned), he really enjoys the illustrations and trying to pick out the different Wild Dog characters. We both enjoy trying to make the sounds associated with all the different characters. The author hints at subsequent stories, and we are anxiously awaiting Freckles' future adventures.

My two-year-old son LOVES Freckles. The illustrations are truly awesome from front to back (especially the picture of Freckles being startled by the howling dogs), and the message is wonderful without being preachy. We have great fun doing all the voices of the Big Wild Dogs and the Owl. It's quite an achievement to create a children's book that is as enjoyable for me as it is for my child! We highly recommend Freckles.

What a wonderful lesson for children. Freckles learns early the meaning of life. The pages are filled with dynamic illustrations. Freckles is not only cute and cuddly but smart. He listens to his heart to do the right thing and not run with the worng crowd. The ending leaves us begging for more adventures with Freckles!!! It's a first time winner!!!!

I look forward to seeing more books coming out on Freckles' adventures. My 4 year old loves the story and wants to know more about Freckles. My 2 year old is captivated with the fantastic pictures. We have been reading it every night since it was brought home. I highly recommend this book for children of all ages.