You Bad Dog!

It is pretty much of a fact that to get and hold a room full of children's attention, start talking or reading about dogs, cats or other pets. This work by Leslie Baker is one of the best little dog books available at the easy to entry reading level. Published in 2003 it has become a common presence in many class rooms. It is a perfect book for a group read as well as a one on one at any time. Poor Bridget, a large adult and rather dignified Rottweiler is plagued by Lulu, a terrier puppy. While Bridget wants to sleep on the nice comfortable sofa, Lulu has other ideas and wants to play. If that is not bad enough, Lulu, being a typical terrier is constantly getting into messes, such as stealing cookies, running thorough the freshly hung laundry and other mischievous playful antics. Of course with each of these little adventures Bridget gets the blame and is quite tired of hearing the words "YOU BAD DOG!" This is the story of the two dogs and the troubles they get into when Bridget sort of leaves home and hides out in a movie theater...of course being followed and found by Lulu. This is an extremely child friendly book. The author has used short simple sentences and the story flow perfectly. The illustration, especially the expressions on the faces of the dogs is wonderful. The author has used a smudgy technique with her watercolors to perfection. Anyone who has ever had a new puppy in the family with an older dog (as we do at this writing) will be able to instantly identify with both dogs here. The story is cute and funny and well told. The illustrations fit the text perfectly. No spoilers here, but in the end we find that Bridget had just as much puppy in her as Lulu. All in all this is a delightful read and I can assure you that the kids love it. The books is well made and should last through many readings. It is perfect for the 4 to 8 year old group. Don Blankenship The Ozarks