Mister Bud Wears the Cone

May 19, 2014
Canine buddies Zorro and Mister Bud return in their third picture book, and because Mister Bud can’t stop licking his “bad hot spot,” he gets saddled with the ultimate doggy humiliation—the cone. At first, energetic Zorro is annoyed by all the attention Mister Bud is getting, but soon he finds the situation hilarious. (It’s hard to blame him—there are few things as funny-pathetic as Mister Bud’s futile attempts to munch on scattered dog treats while his head is ensconced in the lampshadelike cone.) Readers’ hearts will be with Mister Bud, and his good-natured patience is eventually rewarded, even as Carter hints that Zorro may be in for some just deserts. Ages 4–8.

May 1, 2014
Zorro the pug and his pal, Mister Bud, pair up again for their third amusingly understated adventure (Zorro Gets an Outfit, 2012, etc.), this time focusing on Mister Bud's unpleasant stint wearing an Elizabethan collar while a sore spot heals.Every dog owner is familiar with the necessary but traumatic cone-shaped collar that prevents a dog from licking an injury or biting at post-surgical stitches. Mister Bud, a large, big-nosed dog of indeterminate breed, has developed a "hot spot," which he aggravates through licking at it overnight. His owner tries some healing ointment, to no avail, and finally straps on the hated cone when she has to leave for work. Poor Mister Bud spends a miserably uncomfortable day in the cone, unable to see or play or eat properly, and his sidekick Zorro the pug makes things worse by teasing Mister Bud and stealing his favorite stuffed toy. A succinct, masterfully paced text is filled with humorous taunts from Zorro and hilarious descriptions of Mister Bud's misery. Quirky watercolor illustrations show Zorro's feisty personality and Mister's Bud's difficulties with the cone in vignettes set off by lots of white space, spotlighting the canine antics. In a satisfying conclusion, Mister Bud receives extra attention from the owner and a special treat, which he shares with Zorro despite his pal's less-than-exemplary behavior during Mister's Bud cone crisis.Zorro and Mister Bud are quite a pair; readers will hope for more unpredictable but amusing adventures with them. (Picture book. 4-8)

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May 1, 2014

K-Gr 2-The engaging canines introduced in Say Hello to Zorro! (2011) and Zorro Gets an Outfit (2012, both S. & S.) are back. This time Mister Bud has to wear a dreaded cone to keep him from scratching an itch on his back. It blocks his view and makes it difficult for him to eat, drink, and play with Zorro, the precocious pug with whom he shares a household. Zorro teases and taunts Mister Bud and delights in getting into all kinds of doggie mischief, thinking that his companion will be blamed. In a satisfying ending, the dogs resume their friendship, and peace is restored. The illustrations suggest a feeling of movement as the dogs bound around the house, and the humor and situations will appeal to any child who has ever experienced sibling rivalry. A great addition for kids looking for a story about dogs and for a canine-centered read-aloud.-Krishna Grady, Darien Library, CT

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