Two's a Crowd

October 30, 2017
A pug named Sunny has to get used to an exuberant new sister, a pug named Rosy, in debut author-illustrator Ahn’s first book in the Pug Pals series. Well-meaning Rosy is full of questions and energy, plays havoc with Sunny’s steady routine (which includes morning yoga), chews on her favorite “stuffies,” and generally pesters Sunny at every opportunity. Ahn’s clean, bold b&w cartoons (not all seen by PW) revel in Sunny’s growing anger—until an incident involving Sunny’s beloved “Mr. Bunny” brings the two pugs together. The second half of the book dives into action-adventure territory as the pugs don ninja costumes and try to track down Mr. Bunny in the outside world. It’s a breezy and entertaining story of sibling rivalry turned revelry. Ages 7–10. Agent: Melissa Edwards, Stonesong.

December 1, 2017

Gr 1-3-Sunny the pug loves her human, routine, and orange bunny toy, Mr. Bunny. But one morning everything seems a little out of balance. No amount of yoga or neighborhood surveillance calms her nerves, so she pulls out Mr. Bunny for a good chewing to relax. Soon, keys are heard at the door and in bursts a furry ball of energy. Sunny knows she must protect her home. Just as she is about to make her stand against this intruder, her human introduces the ball of energy as Rosy-Sunny's new sister. Sunny is stunned. How can this be? Sunny's routine disappears overnight, her ears get chewed by Rosy, her legs get chewed by Rosy, and she is really not happy when the newcomer finds Mr. Bunny and begins to chew. A tussle follows, Mr. Bunny falls from the window, and then Rosy sets off to look for Mr. Bunny. Sunny must find and bring her new sister back home. Ahn has taken her love of all things pug and has created a delightful duo. This is a charming beginning chapter book with many illustrations that will appeal to pug-loving young readers. VERDICT A worthy contribution to any collection that needs more beginning chapter books.-Lisa Nabel, Tacoma Public Library

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2017
Sunny the pug's life is satisfying until her owner brings home a younger dog, Rosy, who is very annoying. Using numerous minimalist drawings and brief, large-print text, this early chapter book gently relates an adult dog's challenging adjustment to a rambunctious puppy. Sunny mostly enjoys her solitary life: a morning snack (if her human remembers to put it out), followed by yoga, a little television, arranging her stuffed toys, and maybe a nice nap. The arrival of exuberant Rosy makes all of her customary activities hard to enjoy. Then Rosy accidentally throws Sunny's favorite toy out the window and later, feeling guilty, runs off to find it. Sunny knows her duty and goes to locate and bring back the younger dog, in the process discovering that she's come to love her little sister. Ahn's spare illustrations are the stars of this show, using just a few lines to evoke emotion, drama, and especially humor. Although many pages include just a sentence or two of text, some of the words, such as "surveillance," "anticipated," and "stealthily," will stretch the young intended audience. Considering how brief the text is, the two dogs leap, lifelike, off the pages, Sunny reserved and just a bit surly and Rosy fired with youthful enthusiasm. A fun pet romp for new readers of chapter books. (Fiction. 5-8)

COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

chlooe - Pug Pals: Two's A Crowd is by Flora Ahn and it has an amazing plot! This story stars two pugs: Sunny and Rosey, who can't seem to get along very well. This story starts off with Sunny, who's personality is simple, quick, and lazy. When her human owner comes home, she is surprised to find another dog (her new sister) and stubbornly ignores her. Sunny wants to live her own life, as a single pug, where her human owner only spends time with HER. After Rosey gets the hint that Sunny doesn't want her here, she went to find Mr. Bunny (A stuffed animal that Sunny lost) to make up to Sunny. When Sunny find out that Rosey is gone, she packed up and went to go find Rosey. Sunny smelled Rosey's scent and it led to a rock. Sunny heard Rosey talking to a Sunny rock figure, telling the rock figure that she'll help Rosey find Mr. Bunny. After Sunny announces her arrival to Rosey, they both went to find Mr. Bunny, knowing that it'll make Rosey happy. When they went, they a building and a bunch of kids tossing Mr. Bunny everywhere! Rosey wanted to get Mr. Bunny back but Sunny stopped her. Sunny stopped Rosey because she learned that this little girl that took Mr. Bunny is better off with him. Both Sunny and Rosey learned that they can't be selfish and should always share. Outstanding book!