Princess Posey and the Next-Door Dog

August 1, 2011

Posey, now a first grader, wants to be a big kid but she is still a little girl.

When everyone starts talking about Luca's new pet dog, Posey longs for a live pet, but her mother insists that little brother Danny is enough of a challenge at the moment. Also, Posey nervously remembers the time a big dog knocked her down at the park. When a very big dog moves in next door, Posey must face her fears. Armed with the wise words of her chili-cooking grandfather, Posey sets out to meet the new dog and learns that she is braver than she thinks. This Posey book is an especially winning tale. The illustrations show up at just the right moment, reflecting the honest emotions of this lovable little girl. When the older boys tease her, her fists ball up as she stomps away, and when she and her friends share a deliciously scary story, their eyes widen in fear. The sentence length and word choice are perfect for the transitioning reader—any unfamiliar word will be easy to decode in context or by using the phonetic clues. 

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

January 1, 2014
Gr K-3-Miss Lee's first grade class is excited about pets. Luca has a new puppy! There is even an assignment to write about a pet-ash;either a real one or one you wish for. What will Posey write about? She can't have a pet until her baby brother is older. Then a dog with a big bark moves in next door. Posey wants to write about it for Miss Lee's assignment, but how? She can't see it over the hedge and ever since a dog knocked her down in the park, she is a little afraid. It is time for her tutu, magic veil, princess wand, and purple belt. As Princess Posey, she can do anything! Peeking next door, Posey sees a big dog with its paw stuck under the fence. Remembering encouragement from Gramps, Posey frees the dog. Greene's beginning chapter book has a brisk pace, sincere charm, and a believable heroine. Stina Nielsen's narration is crystal clear and perfectly paced for children transitioning out of beginning readers. Subtle variations in characters' voices make it very easy to follow the straightforward, sweet story. Each chapter's title is read, which adds to the feel of a more "grown up" book. The recording finishes with "Posey's Pages," giving easy-to-follow instructions for a colorful necklace craft.-"Jane Newschwander, Fluvanna County Public Schools, VA"

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