Zorro Gets An Outfit by Carter Goodrich

Zorro is not a happy dog. Well, you wouldn’t be either if you had to wear an outfit. Zorro is embarrassed. He doesn’t like his outfit at all and does not want to be seen in it. But wait! Do you see that dog!?! He is fast and can do lots of nifty tricks. Is he wearing an outfit? Why yes he is! And no one is laughing at him. Maybe there is more to this whole outfit idea than meets the eye!

In Zorro Gets An Outfit, the adorable sequel to Say Hello ToZorro, Zorro must realize that wearing an outfit will not make him a social outcast. The loveable due of Zorro and Mister Bud will have you grinning from ear to ear in their new adventure. Be sure to get your copy today!

Children's: National Dog Week

September 22nd starts National Dog Week and the Children’s Department is all ready! We’ve gathered our favorite books about man’s best friend! You can click on the title of any of the books to place a hold on them through JCLC. Be sure to check out a special dog themed Story Time on Tuesday and Wednesday! Also, you can call Dial-A-Story at 332 – 6617 to hear a great story featuring dogs!

Picture Books
Before You Were Mine by Maribeth Boelts
A little boy imagines the life his new dog had before he was adopted from a shelter. This endearing tale will bring a smile to any rescue dog and their owner.

Chowder by Peter Brown
Chowder has always been a little different. But being different made Chowder lonely. When a petting zoo opens, Chowder is determined to make friends with the zoo animals. But will the animals accept Chowder as one of their own?

Carl’s Afternoon in the Park by Alexandra Day (Series)
This series follows the day to day adventures of Carl, a loveable Rottweiler, and Madeleine, Carl’s three year old best friend. Together they get in and out of mischief.

Dogs by Emily Gravett
This story has a dog for everyone! Big dogs or small dogs, tough dogs or soft dogs, and stripy dogs or spotty dogs. This lovable book is simple, but still quite entertaining. There is even a surprise ending that will sure to put a smile on you and your child’s face!

Mutt Dog by Stephen Michael King
Mutt Dog is brave and fast and gentle and loyal and smart, but he's also hungry, and he doesn't have a home. Then one day his luck changes, and he at last finds a family--and a cozy, loving place to belong. With its humorous text and irresistible watercolor illustrations, this endearing story by Australian picture-book creator Stephen Michael King is certain to strike a chord with animal enthusiasts everywhere.

Once I Ate a Pie by Patricia MacLachlan
Dogs of all sizes and shapes take center stage in this picture book that is just too cute! Each spread features a dog (or two or three) and a succinct poem written from the canine perspective. Presented in a variety of fonts and type sizes that reinforce the meaning of the words, the poems offer odes to the various pleasures of life--sleeping in the sun and chasing balls--many of which aren't limited to dogs.

Early Readers and Non Fiction
Nubs: Story of a Mutt, Marine, and a Miracle by Brian Dennis
Nubs, an Iraqi dog of war, never had a home or a person of his own. But Nubs' life changed when he met Marine Major Brian Dennis. Nubs and Dennis will remind readers that friendship has the power to cross deserts, continents, and even species.

It’s About Dogs by Tony Johnson
Told through 40 free verse poems, It’s About Dogs, with its sweet water color illustrations, will definitely entertain your dog-loving family!

Little Pink Pup by Johanna Kerby
Pink was the runt of the pig litter. He was so small that the Kerby family didn’t think he would survive– so they brought him into the house where he met Tink, a new dachshund mom. When Tink saw Pink, she immediately adopted him into her family, and helped nurse him back to health. Pink thrived in his new family: the puppies didn’t mind that Pink looked nothing like them—he was just their size.

Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant (Series)
This classic story of friendship between a boy and his dog has been warming the hearts of parents and young readers for over 20 years.

Juvenile
Flawed Dog: The Shocking Raid on Westminster by Berkeley Breathed
Heidy and Sam the Lion, who is actually a priceless dachshund, are best friends. But Sam is framed by Cassius, a jealous poodle, and sent away. His journey back to Heidy is one filled with epic adventure!

Ribsy by Beverly Cleary
Henry Huggins's dog, Ribsy, is hopelessly lost and accidently gets in the wrong car! All Ribsy wants to do is go home to Henry. Instead, he's about to begin the liveliest adventure of his life.

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo Learn how an abandoned dog, at the local Winn-Dixie, helps Opal open up to her new town and the people in her life.

Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
Just grab the Kleenex as you and your child rediscovered the heartwarming story of a boy and his dog.

Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
The Newbery Winner from 1992 revolves around an 11-year old by, named Marty Preston, who befriends a mistreated Beagle.

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
Who hasn’t fallen in love with the story of Little Ann and Old Dan?

Check out the Dogs of the Children’s Department!!!!

Phoebe and Rumo







Shug









Lucky AKA Little Brother








Blue







Maddie

Dogs by Emily Gravett

If your family loves dogs than you need to check out Emily Gravett’s new picture book, Dogs. You can certainly tell that the author and narrator love dogs, whether they are big dogs or small dogs, tough dogs or soft dogs, and stripy dogs or spotty dogs.
This lovable book is simple, but still quite entertaining. There is even a surprise ending that will sure to put a smile on you and your child’s face! Gravett, author of Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears, will warm your heart with the different illustrations and sweet expressions. The pencil and watercolor drawings by Gravett show the different characteristics of each breed. Gravett even includes an index of the breeds that are portrayed in her charming book. Dogs is recommended for ages 2 to 8, but I agree with writer Sue Magee’s recommendation for the age group of 2 to 102 or any dog lover.
Not a dog lover? That’s okay! Check out Posy by Linda Newbery and Catherine Rayner. This picture book follows Posy, a mischievous kitten with a tendency for trouble. She bounces and pounces and possesses all the endearing qualities that children and adults love about kittens. The frenzied sketches are quite different Gravett’s Dogs, but still heartwarming.

Dog On It by Spencer Quinn A Chet and Bernie Mystery

Bernie is a human private investigator with a canine partner named Chet. Chet narrates this story from his perspective. He idolizes Bernie and is proud to be his partner. His job is security and, of course, sniffing out clues and trails. Much of what is said by Bernie and other humans Chet does not comprehend.
But he observes and tells us about it anyway. In Dog On It Bernie and Chet are hired to find a girl, Madison, who has disappeared. There hasn't been a ransom demand but she is no where to be found by her parents. The clues seem to lead Bernie and Chet in multiple directions but Chet is pleased to report that Bernie is determined and persistent in finding what happened and returning Madison home. Then suddenly she appeared in Las Vegas and folks were told she was on her way home. But she didn't make it and the case continues. Now the clues take in Las Vegas and the surrounding little towns and desert areas. Madison's father is a real estate developer who seems nervous when talking with Bernie and Chet and whose business appears to be in a holding pattern. Chet was snatched by Russian mafia and tortured. He actually saw Madison but couldn't tell anyone. He was befriended by bikers and had some wild rides with them but then was taken to a shelter. We know what happens to unclaimed dogs in those places. While Chet was missing Bernie was frantic. Chet got back with Bernie using his cunning and personality. Bernie disappeared, too. What was going on? Who took Bernie and where did they go? Chet went to work sniffing out the trail and followed it. With Chet and Bernie on the job Madison would be returned to her family.

unabridged on 8 cds narrated by Jim Frangione

Doggie Day Care Murder A Melanie Travis mystery by Laurien Berenson

Alice had decided to go back to work once her children were no longer helpless preschoolers. She had a job as a paralegal arranged in her husband's firm and all she needed was placement for the family dog. So she asked Melanie to check on the Pine Ridge Canine Care Center. Melanie would know what to look for and the questions to ask. What an easy thing to do for a friend. Although the day after Melanie met Steve, the co-owner, he was found dead. Word had gotten around that Melanie has solved mysteries in the past so she was asked to unofficially investigate and learn who killed Steve and why. Aunt Peg was also interested in everything canine. Her new project was grooming Davey to show standard poodles. He loved it. Melanie, her husband and Aunt Peg were proud and encouraging. Candy, Steve's sister, seemed clueless about business and could only help Melanie with the daily operations of the Center. After asking questions of staff and a disgruntled neighbor, Melanie just did not know what to think. Then it all came together suddenly. But did she figure it out too late?

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

I just finished reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. I have also decided never to read another book described as "The Great American Novel".

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle isn't bad. It was praised by the New York Times and received the coveted Oprah endorsement. It just isn't exceptional, which is what you hope for when you invest your time into almost 600 pages.

The title character, Edgar, is born mute, and can only communicate through sign-language. He and his mother and father eke out a living breeding and selling dogs in rural Wisconsin.

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is an American adaptation of a famous play by Shakespeare. I won't say which one, but once you learn the characters' names (Claude, Trudy, Forte, etc.) you'll have no problem figuring it out. This is the biggest disappointment. Once you realize the basis for Wroblewski's story, you already know the ending, the EXACT ending, which is frustrating, especially after trudging through a lengthy and unnecessary adventure through the woods with Edgar and his dogs, only to find that you knew what was going to happen 300 pages ago.

Character development is also lacking. Maybe Wroblewski assumes that when we stumble on to the Shakespearean theme we'll understand on whom the characters were based, but none of the characters learn or grow.

There are also a few supernatural happenings (apart from the one necessary to Shakespeare) that seem to be forced into the plot. So forced I can't really even explain why they're there. Again, frustrating.

Animal lovers will be moved by the relationship between the Sawtelle family and their dogs, especially Edgar and his dog Almondine, and what little Edgar's character develops in the book is reflected in his unique ability to train the dogs without a voice.

The most intriguing part of the novel is Edgar's fathers near obsession with perfecting his breed of dog, which Edgar discovers while going through some of his father's old letters.

It is an enjoyable, but not a necessary read. It is definitely American, complete with woods and barns and tragedy, but the comparisons to Jack London are a little premature.

--kb