Fred's Beds

April 28, 2014
Samuels, who introduced a boy named Leo and his new cat in The Trucker, showcases another child-pet friendship in this story about Zelda and her dog, Fred. An inveterate napper, the beagle shrewdly selects his snoozing spots: when Zelda goes shopping with her mother, he plunks down on “The Doormat Bed” (“the perfect spot to keep a lookout for Zelda and the groceries”). And while Zelda sloppily pours cake batter into a pan, Fred lies on “The Pile-of-Old-Newspapers Bed” under the kitchen counter (“If he stays very still, a treat may fall his way”). The story’s understated humor shifts into higher gear when Zelda’s birthday party suddenly upends Fred’s life. His missteps (prematurely sampling the cake and inadvertently making a baby howl) lead to a time-out in the backyard—where he collapses on “The Flower Bed” before being rudely awakened by rowdy guests. Fred’s travails, body language, and ability to make a bed out of just about anything make for entertaining reading, but it’s his mutually adoring relationship with Zelda that will resonate most strongly with young pet lovers. Ages 4–8.

May 15, 2014
Fred the beagle loves to nap, and he can sleep anywhere-in a shopping bag or a pile of old newspapers or a slightly soggy bath towel. But even he can't nap through a noisy birthday party.Fred's owner is Zelda, a competent little girl with curly, red hair. She is awhirl with preparations for her party, but the festivities are just too much for Fred. He is banished to the "Flower Bed" in the backyard after tasting the frosting roses on the cake and then trying to climb into a "Noisy-Baby Bed." When the backyard proves even too exciting, he takes refuge in the "Used-to-Be-Fresh-Laundry Bed" until the increasingly wild party is over. In a satisfying conclusion, Zelda presents one of her presents to Fred, a "Brand-New Bed" made of wicker-but alas, Fred can't sleep in a designated bed. The final page shows "The Best Bed," with Fred snuggled up to Zelda in her bed. The story is original and witty, as is Fred's comical character. Bold, bright illustrations have a fresh appeal, with juicy colors, varied perspectives and fanciful flowers, along with the drolly humorous beagle. The connecting device that names each distinctly unusual bed is one that will appeal to preschoolers, who might be inspired to try napping in curious settings themselves.Clever and charming. (Picture book. 4-8)

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May 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 2-Fred is a beagle with a penchant for sleeping. While his household is busy with birthday preparations, he takes the opportunity to snooze among the decorations and groceries. Once the party begins, he wrecks havoc by diving snout first into the cake. After being chased by rambunctious guests, he escapes to the basement and dozes in a pile of laundry. Samuel's cheery watercolor illustrations highlight the pup's favorite napping spots, including "The Pile-of-Old-Newspapers Bed, "The Slightly-Soggy Bath-Towel Bed," and "The Flower Bed." In a funny twist, the only place Fred cannot sleep is in his new dog bed. The canine's inner musings are conveyed in the text, making this a fun read-aloud for dog devotees.-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2014
Preschool-G There are two charmingly intertwined stories here: that of a little girl's birthday party and that of her beloved beagle's progress from makeshift bed to makeshift bed as the preparations and the party progress. Fred's favorite snoozing spot is the doormat just outside the kitchen doorperfect for spotting incoming groceriesbut on this particular day, he is disappointed that the bags contain only streamers and conical hats. But he adjusts, and takes a nap in The Shopping-Bag Bed. As the little girl and her mother bake a cake, Fred moves to a pile of newspapers next to the counterand on and on. Fred is overjoyed when people show up, and overwhelmed by all the food. After Fred makes a grab for the cake, the partygoers chase him through the neighborhood. Luckily, Fred finds refuge in a Used-to-Be-Fresh-Laundry Bed in the basement and returns to the little girl's favor. Pleasingly two-dimensional illustrations, packed with comic details of the hapless canine, enhance Samuels' furry, frolicsome tale.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)