Twinky the Dinky Dog

April 15, 2013
A petite, pampered pooch learns how to run with the big dogs in this funny early reader that will resonate with any kids who might long for a less protected, more exciting environment. Twinky, a diminutive Boston terrier, is completely coddled by his overprotective owner. She sends him to charm school and carries him in her purse. She dresses him in sweaters and "made him go potty on a wee-wee pad. That was the worst!" Klimo cleverly uses repetition of all these pampered-pet features as a humorous device that also reinforces those terms for new readers. When Twinky escapes to the dog park to play with larger, more experienced dogs, he learns "big-dog moves" like "struts and growls and snarls and scowls." This comes in handy later that night, when Twinky must defend his home from a burglar. Twinky's heroics are recounted in a newspaper story, and he is allowed to act like a normal dog with his new pals. Snappy, computer-generated illustrations provide a contemporary flair for Twinky's adventures, with stylized, angular shapes for the dogs and a muted palette of sophisticated shades. Kids will cheer as the little guy breaks free from mom's apron strings--go, Twinky! (Early reader. 5-8)

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May 1, 2013
Grades 1-3 In his heart Twinky knew he was a big dog. Ah, the plight of little dogs everywhere. But Twinky's owner treats him like a dinky dog: carrying him in her purse, making him go potty on a wee-wee pad, and calling him Twinky-Poo. How humiliating. So Twinky makes his escape and learns the big-dog ropes at the park from canines with solid names like Tank and Bertha. In a twist ending, Twinky puts his new skills to use and saves the day, thereby earning him some much-needed freedom. This level-three reader combines a high-interest subject with appealing characters, challenging vocabulary words (jiggled, scowled), and bright, bold cartoon-like artworkideal for those newly comfortable with reading solo.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)