Dog and Bear--Tricks and Treats

July 28, 2014
Friends Dog and Bear return in their fourth book, a collection of three brief tales, this time built around a Halloween theme. In the first story, Bear is startled when he discovers a bear that looks “EXACTLY like me” at a costume shop (youngest readers will gleefully point out that he’s looking into a mirror). In the second story, Dog takes candy from the aliens and pumpkin-headed monsters who show up at his door (“Treat, of course,” he responds, interpreting their “trick or treat” as a question instead of a demand). And, in the third story, a homeowner dressed as a ghost refuses to believe that Dog and Bear are in costume when they go trick-or-treating (they prove him wrong). Seeger skillfully sketches the characters’ emotions and humor, and the “gotcha” zingers that wrap up all three stories will leave readers with a smile. Ages 3–7. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

August 1, 2014
Dog and Bear return just in time for Halloween. Halloween is coming, and the duo goes to find costumes. Dog is hilarious as a mustard-topped hot dog, while Bear has selected a superhero outfit. In the dressing room, Bear spots his reflection in the mirror but mistakenly thinks it is another bear that looks exactly like him. When Bear invites Dog to investigate, they come to the same wrong conclusion. The second chapter finds Dog and Bear at home on Halloween night. The doorbell rings again and again, and each time Dog enthusiastically answers the door. When the visitors ask "Trick or treat," Dog answers, "Treat, of course" and then takes the candy. (His accumulating pile is awe-inspiring.) In the final chapter, the pals are out trick-or-treating. At the house they approach, a person dressed as a ghost answers the door. The ghost refuses to give them any treats, as they are not properly costumed. But the trick is on him, because Dog and Bear are certainly dressed up-as each other! All the elements that have made these series titles such a hit are here: a generous trim size, brightly colored illustrations executed with acrylics and ink against generous white space and easy-to-read, dialogue-driven text. It's equally appealing as a read-aloud for the preschool set or as a well-formatted reader for children practicing their new skills. Seeger's tricks are readers' treats. (Early reader/picture book. 4-7)

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August 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 1-Dog and Bear are back, and they've got some tricks and treats ready for Halloween. Whether it's picking out costumes, manning the ding-donging front door, or going trick-or-treating in a tricky way, the two friends are always ready to help each other out with a smile and a laugh. Seeger once again infuses the three episodic stories with lighthearted humor. Full of simple wordplay and kindhearted irony, each mini-story begins with a title and ends with a clever twist. The humor strengthens the friendship of the eager and fun-loving characters in an amusing and inclusive way. The acrylic paint and India ink illustrations are painterly with broad brushstrokes and thick black outlines, while the simple white background keeps the spotlight on the action. A wonderful choice for bedtime reading, this could also be a fun book for beginning readers to take turns sharing with their caregivers. This is a great addition to Halloween collections, as it focuses on the fun, rather than the fright, of the holiday.-Amy Seto Musser, Denver Public Library

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2014
Preschool-G It's Halloween in this fourth installment of the popular series about a dachshund and bear. Three short chapters show the two friends preparing for the holiday. In the costume shop, Bear eyes a superhero suit, and Dog dresses aswhat else? A hot dog! But, while trying on outfits, Bear looks in the mirror and is amazed to see another bear just like him. His confusion is confirmed when Dog sees himself, too. In the second chapter, the two friends wait excitedly for the doorbell to announce trick-or-treaters. During the cacophony of ding-dongs, Dog repeatedly eats the treats himself, leaving none for the costumed callers. Oops! Finally, Bear and Dog pull a fast one on a ghost, who declares, no costumes, no treats. However, in a humorous twist, it turns out that the two are in costume, as each other. The funny surprises will fool young readers, who will be delighted when the jokes are revealed. Colorful illustrations in acrylic paint and india ink complement the spare text in this appealing presentation about the favorite twosome.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)