Stinky Spike the Pirate Dog

February 27, 2017
In an ultrasilly, swashbuckling addition to the Read and Bloom line, author-illustrator Paul Meisel and his son Peter introduce Spike, a scruffy shipyard dog who delights in “the nastiest, ickiest, foulest stinks he could sniff.” When a mishap sends Spike adrift at sea in a bucket of “rotten fish bits,” he’s eventually rescued by Captain Fishbeard and the crew of the Driftwood, who dub him Stinky Spike and employ him to sniff out treasure. Unfortunately for the pirates, Spike’s idea of treasure is smelly underwear, not gold. The plentiful full-color illustrations play up the story’s olfactory theme, which should delight those beginning readers whose sense of humor tends toward the gross-out. Simultaneously available: Stinky Spike and the Royal Rescue. Ages 5–7. Agent: Jennifer Mattson, Andrea Brown Literary.

September 1, 2015

K-Gr 2-Father-and-son team Peter and Paul Meisel combine their talents in this "Read and Bloom" early chapter book. Readers set sail for a high seas adventure with a dog named Stinky Spike, the perfect matey. This three-chapter book tells the story of a shipyard dog who is cast away when he least expects it-he's blown out to sea in a bucket. Captain Fishbeard soon comes to his rescue but quickly puts Stinky Spike to work sniffing out treasure. The large text is appropriate for newly independent readers and is complemented by charming, full-color illustrations that provide a balanced layout. Hand this to fans of Doreen Cronin's "The Chicken Squad" series (S. & S., 2014). VERDICT With funny characters and an engaging yet simple plotline, this will fly off the shelves.-Janene Corbin, Rosebank Elementary School, Nashville, TN

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2016
Grades K-2 Spike has the world's most powerful nose. He spends his days as a shipyard pup that scares birds and rats away from the barrels of fish being unloaded on the dock. One day, as he frantically tries to protect a fish barrel, he slips on some slimy seaweed and falls into the ocean. His cries for help go unheard, and despite his valiant paddling, he drifts further from the dock. Eventually Spike finds refuge in a stinky old bucket, from which he encounters sharks and a whale, before being rescued by pirates. He promises them his nose will sniff out treasure. His challenge: to fulfill the promise. The narrative boasts abundant dialogue and encourages emerging readers to share Spike's emotions and perhaps deal with their own fears. Paul Meisel's full-color illustrations are equally charming and will easily attract readers to this engaging early chapter book. Father and son, Peter and Paul Meisel, have created what promises to become a popular new series, and happily Spike's second adventure, Stinky Spike and the Royal Rescue, publishes simultaneously.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)