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sandraagee's review against another edition
3.0
Wonky and delightful. This book is full of crazy, over-the-top characters and fun word play. It reminds me so much of...something...but I can't remember what!
daisycakesco's review against another edition
2.0
I'm sorry, I so wanted to like this, but I just couldn't get excited about it. And when I'm avoiding reading altogether because I don't want to pick up my current book, that's when I know it's time to quit that book. I feel like I've seen these characters before -- quirky parents, sensible children.
alissabar's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this was a funny book. Loved the humor and loved seeing things from the point of view of a Chihuahua (only parts of the story are told from this point of view). It's a simple fun read that kids will enjoy.
lobrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Baby Puddle and her brother Tom Puddle have a mother and father who cannot agree on anything. Most of the time, they just agree to disagree. This even is the cause for Baby’s name; her mother wanted to name her Emily and her father Ferdinanda so instead the nurse just wrote down Baby.
This book tells the story of how the Puddle family finally got away from their country vacation home and the unfortunate way that rain clouds always seem to find them. Not only that, but in their rush to leave, they forgot their two dogs Big Sally and Little Sally. Throughout the Puddle’s story, it goes back and forth between Baby and the two Sallies talking. It was neat and interesting to hear the story from the dog’s point of view especially because they talk and think just like humans! I listened to this book on audio format and I really enjoyed it. It was quick and funny and I found that Feiffer did a great job of bringing life to each character in the book by using different voices. I was pleasantly surprised when at the end the story tied up nicely and came back full circle for me.
This is a quick read and I think that it would work well in a book club setting. Both boys and girls will enjoy this story which is what really makes it a great choice. Also, I highly recommend listening to the audio book in a classroom too, I think that the tweens will get a kick out of the quirky Puddle family.
Awards: Iowa: Children's Choice Award Nominees: 2012, Massachusetts: Children's Book Award Nominees: 2011.
Characters: Baby/Emily/Ferdinanda Puddle, Tom, Father Puddle, Mother Puddle, Big Sally, Little Sally, Frankolin.
Subjects: Dogs, Family fiction, Humorous fiction, Lost and found, Vacations.
References: Book information and award information retrieved from www.bwibooks.com. Accessed on November 30, 2011.
The Problem with the Puddles. (2009, January 15). Retrieved November 30, 2011, from Kirkus Reviews.
The Problem with the Puddles. (n.d.). In AudioFile. Retrieved November 30, 2011, from http://www.audiofilemagazine.com/dbsearch/showreview.cfm?Num=43939.
This book tells the story of how the Puddle family finally got away from their country vacation home and the unfortunate way that rain clouds always seem to find them. Not only that, but in their rush to leave, they forgot their two dogs Big Sally and Little Sally. Throughout the Puddle’s story, it goes back and forth between Baby and the two Sallies talking. It was neat and interesting to hear the story from the dog’s point of view especially because they talk and think just like humans! I listened to this book on audio format and I really enjoyed it. It was quick and funny and I found that Feiffer did a great job of bringing life to each character in the book by using different voices. I was pleasantly surprised when at the end the story tied up nicely and came back full circle for me.
This is a quick read and I think that it would work well in a book club setting. Both boys and girls will enjoy this story which is what really makes it a great choice. Also, I highly recommend listening to the audio book in a classroom too, I think that the tweens will get a kick out of the quirky Puddle family.
Awards: Iowa: Children's Choice Award Nominees: 2012, Massachusetts: Children's Book Award Nominees: 2011.
Characters: Baby/Emily/Ferdinanda Puddle, Tom, Father Puddle, Mother Puddle, Big Sally, Little Sally, Frankolin.
Subjects: Dogs, Family fiction, Humorous fiction, Lost and found, Vacations.
References: Book information and award information retrieved from www.bwibooks.com. Accessed on November 30, 2011.
The Problem with the Puddles. (2009, January 15). Retrieved November 30, 2011, from Kirkus Reviews.
The Problem with the Puddles. (n.d.). In AudioFile. Retrieved November 30, 2011, from http://www.audiofilemagazine.com/dbsearch/showreview.cfm?Num=43939.
plexippa's review against another edition
3.0
When Baby Puddle was born, her parents just couldn't agree on what to name her. Since then, they've "agreed to disagree" on everything. On the way back to the city from their country home, they accidentally leave their dogs behind, and - of course - they can't agree on what to do about it. Meanwhile, the dogs decide to take matters into their own hands... er, paws. Over-the-top goofy characters and situations, Tusa's fantastically funny illustrations, and a conversational tone that includes invitations to the reader to literally fill in the blank make this a delightfully silly romp. Readers looking for more substance than silliness, though, will want to look elsewhere.
tashrow's review
5.0
Baby's parents agree to disagree about everything. This means that they could not agree on a name for her when she was born. Her mother calls her Emily and her father calls her Ferdinanda. Everyone else calls her by the name on her birth certificate written by a nurse: Baby. They have two dogs because her parents couldn't agree on which type of dog to get. They did agree on the name, Sally, so both dogs are named that. Mr. Puddle loves the country while Mrs. Puddle loves the city, so they have homes in both. In their hurry to leave for the city, the family forgets the dogs. The parents disagree on whether to turn back or not. Meanwhile, the two Sallys have realized they are forgotten and try to fix the problem themselves. This whimsical, funny and clever novel begs to be shared.
I just love clever books. Books that ask children to stretch a bit and reach. The fact that this one does it in such a subtle way makes it all the more clever. Through the lens of a light, illustrated story, children get to see a dysfunctional couple, a father who has lost his son because of lies, and a family desperately in need of a cleaning staff. All serious subjects handled with a deftness and skill that allow the readers to stay above it all. Lots to discuss here, the book has great writing that reads aloud with ease as well as friendly, inviting illustrations that capture the style of the writing perfectly.
Recommended as a read aloud, this book also reads alone well. The problem here is that I don't know if a second book is in the works or not! That's the problem with the Puddles! Appropriate for ages 7-10.
I just love clever books. Books that ask children to stretch a bit and reach. The fact that this one does it in such a subtle way makes it all the more clever. Through the lens of a light, illustrated story, children get to see a dysfunctional couple, a father who has lost his son because of lies, and a family desperately in need of a cleaning staff. All serious subjects handled with a deftness and skill that allow the readers to stay above it all. Lots to discuss here, the book has great writing that reads aloud with ease as well as friendly, inviting illustrations that capture the style of the writing perfectly.
Recommended as a read aloud, this book also reads alone well. The problem here is that I don't know if a second book is in the works or not! That's the problem with the Puddles! Appropriate for ages 7-10.
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