One Smart Cookie

October 1, 2006
K-Gr 2-Cookie is one smart dog. She can read and write, a talent Mom wishes would rub off on her two kids, Nash and Duffy. The heavy-handed message comes through loud and clear when the pup spells out smoke smell instead of snorkel at a spelling bee and warns the school that theres a fire. In a fairy-tale ending, the whole family, including video-game addict Nash, is now converted to reading. The colorful and whimsical illustrations are quite good, reminiscent of the work of Diane deGroat and Marc Simont. Readers love stories of smart canines who teach people lessons they need to learn, as in Peggy Rathmanns "Officer Buckle and Gloria" (Putnam, 1995), but this one lacks subtlety. The author seems to be trying to teach too many lessons herefire safety and that reading is more productive than drawing or playing video games. A better choice to inspire the practical value of reading is Susan Meddaughs "Hog-Eye" (Houghton, 1995). Nez shows more promise as an illustrator."Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2006
Duffy and her brother, Nash, spend less time reading than Cookie, the family dog. They wondered if Cookie was actually reading or just perusing everything from the newspaper to the cereal box, until he wrote "DOG WANTS FOOD" on the refrigerator door. After joining Duffy's school class, Cookie becomes a finalist in the school spelling bee, but his greatest achievement comes in partnership with Duffy. Quickly paced and high-spirited, the engaging story is illustrated by cheerful illustrations with bright colors, busy patterns, and lively details that offer plenty for nonreaders to look at while the story is read aloud. With a fire safety lesson near the story's end, this picture book would be a good addition to any fire prevention unit and a natural to pair with another yarn about a lovable canine overachiever: Peggy Rathmann's Caldecott Medal-winning " Officer Buckle and Gloria" (1995).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)