Flawed Dogs

Flawed Dogs: The Novel: The Shocking Raid on Westminster
by Berkeley Breathed
Philomel
ISBN 0399252185


What is it?

A wild and crazy journey with a pup named Sam, who just happens to sport the ever elusive Duuglitz Tuft on top of his noggin.

What do we love about it?

How it made us laugh and cry at the exact same time, which isn't easy and requires lots of Kleenex.

What does it remind us of?

Other "journey" type books, like The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, The Incredible Journey, and A Dog's Life: Autobiography of a Stray but with a heavy dose of Hannah Barbara tossed in for laughs.

What is it perfect for?

Read it before The Westminster Dog Show in February.

What do we think?

We give it four snausages! Sure to be a favorite with underdog lovers and just plain anyone who loves a gassy dog.

I'm a Turkey

I'm a Turkey!
by Jim Arnosky

Scholastic
ISBN: 9780439903646

What is it?
A picture book about our nation's favorite dinner...oops, we mean our nation's favorite bird, of course...by folk singer and naturalist Jim Arnosky.

What do we love about it?
In addition to learning about how turkeys live in the wild, young readers will have fun peeping, squawking, squabbling and talking turkey throughout the book. Or download the song here for a turkey-talking singalong!

What does it remind us of?
Dinner. (We cannot tell a lie.)

What is it perfect for?
A fun Thanksgiving read aloud, but it would also work any time of year since there is no specific reference to the holiday.

What do we say about it?
This one's a fowl favorite! Two feathers up!

We Love Lucy!

It was on this day in 1951 that the very first I Love Lucy episode was aired, and boy, are we ever grateful. Who could forget that scene in the candy factory? Or the one with her stomping grapes in Italy? And was it just us, or did you, too, have a crush on Ricky Ricardo? Hubba hubba!

Let's all eat chocolate bon-bons, drink Vitameatavegamin, and sing Babalu at the top of our lungs to celebrate!

"How I Love Lucy was born? We decided that instead of divorce lawyers profiting from our mistakes, we'd profit from them." --Lucille Ball

In the Coop with Mac Barnett

Three Silly Things About Mac Barnett:

1. He reads to sheep. We like this.

2. He often wears a cap that reminds us of one of our favorite books, Caps for Sale.

3. He is ticklish. Go ahead, tickle him. And then go check out his fantastically silly books.

The Interview:

First act as Dictator for Life? Dictator for Life means years and years for baroquely selfish decrees. So I'd probably start off by ordering a nice sandwich. It's hard to have an iron fist on an empty stomach.

What kids lit character would you like to vote off the island?
In the interest of diplomacy, I'm keeping away from literature and axing Scrappy Doo.

What kids lit character would you share your last twinkie with?
Papa Snap. He seems like he'd be into Twinkies.

What TV family would you like to be adopted by?
I wouldn't mind being Maxwell Smart's son.

Worst job in the universe?
In the whole universe? I'd answer this question if it hadn't blown my mind.

Dream job for a day?
My dreams rarely involve jobs.

Marx Brothers or Three Stooges?

I feel bad for the Three Stooges. I've just perused a random sample of this blog's interviews: Everybody picks the Marx Bros. How smart! Well, my mom taught me to love an underdog, so I'm going to swoop in like King Moonracer and take the Stooges to an island, where we will all laugh and laugh. Even Shemp.

Clown V. Mime Deathmatch. Pick your winner.
See, here's the thing. When the Deathmatch is over--and now the lights are on and the crowd is gone and some teenager is wiping down the arena's plastic seats--the victor, still sitting, stunned, in a corner of the Battle Cage, will realize what "winning" really means. It doesn't matter whether you're a clown or a mime: Nobody wins in a Deathmatch.

Funniest dead person you’d like to meet?
Whoever lost that Deathmatch.

Best use for a book shaped object? (You know, one of those things sold as books but which should never ever have been published.)
Hollow out a hole in the middle of it and store your secrets inside.

More info about Mac:
MacBarnett.Com
Interview with Mac at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

The Messiest Desk

The Messiest Desk
A Three Silly Chick's Pick
Written and illustrated by Marty Kelley
Zino Press
ISBN: 978-1-55933-319-1

What is it?

An adventure story of sorts about a boy named Benjamin Putt who gets sucked into his very messy desk.

What do we love about it?

Oh geez, let's see, could it be the moldy, dripping, rotten fruit? The twelve gooey wads of chewed up gum? The...underwear? We think kids will howl with laughter when they hear the list of gunky, gooey, icky, ooey stuff that's in this desk. And, well, there is also a burp. Could it be any more kid friendly?

What does it remind us of?

Our own desks.

What is it perfect for?

A rowdy, gross-out story time! The rhyme makes it extra fun to read aloud.

What do we think?

Read this with Kelly DiPucchio's Mrs. McBloom, Clean Up Your Classroom! and our very own Carolyn's Boris and Bella (featuring a messy monster named Bella Legrossi) and then go mess something up!

Sticky Burr, The Prickly Peril

A Three Silly Chicks' Pick

Sticky Burr, the Prickly Peril

by John Lechner
Candlewick Press
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4580-9

Sticky Burr's website!

What is it?

A graphic novel about burrs. You heard us. And no, we're not talking about the Aaron or Raymond kind. We're talking about the kind that sticks to your socks when you walk through a field. They are actually quite fascinating things, burrs. Evidently, they live in villages and some can even play the ukele and paint.

This is the sequel to the previously published STICKY BURR, ADVENTURES IN BURRWOOD FOREST.

What do we love about it?

This is a book that shows the truth about nature. We've long suspected that beetles were natures henchmen. Now we know! We love the asides and informative (or perhaps mis-informative) sidebars.

What does it remind us of?

It reminds us of the many, MANY long hours we have spent plucking burrs from our feathers after going on hikes. But we still like this book.

What is it perfect for?

This book is perfect for young readers who love graphic novels, bugs, nature, non-fiction (which this is NOT) and humor.

What do we think?

The Sticky Burr books are a great diversion for 6-8 year olds looking for a little fun.

Wiggens Learns His Manners at the Four Seasons Restaurant

A Three Silly Chicks' Pick

Wiggens Learns His Manners at the Four Seasons Restaurant

by Leslie McGuirk
and Alex von Bidder

Candlewick press
ISBN: 9780763640149

What is it?
A funny guide to good manners co-authored by the co-owner (Alex von Bidder) of the famous Four Seasons restaurant in New York City. Wiggens, a fictional chocolate Labrador puppy who is a "total rascal" in the manners department, stars in this playful picture book.

What do we love about it?
The great Chi-waa-waa, spiritual advisor to Wiggens' parents, and Saint Bernard, the Emily Post-like guru who teaches young pups how to behave at the Four Seasons, won our dog-loving hearts. We also loved the thought bubbles above the puppies-in-training as they nervously surveyed the weird foods served (sea urchin, escargot, frog legs, oh my!).

What does it remind us of?
It reminds us that we are very hungry. Also, that we have never been invited to the Four Seasons restaurant even though our manners are im-peck-able!

What is it perfect for?
Wayward puppies and obedience school drop-outs. Also, parents with kids who could use some fun lessons in restaurant manners.

What do we say about it?
This is the perfect book for dog-loving gourmands. Also, anyone know where can we get a flying carpet with an outboard motor like the great Chi-waa-waa's?