Pugs in a Bug

February 1, 2012
Six pugs in a lime-green Volkswagen Beetle take a trip through the countryside and into town, meeting other dogs and vehicles on the way in a confusing, frenetic effort that tries too hard to be clever and bubbly. In this cumulative verse, the dapper pug owner of the VW Bug picks up five more pugs on a journey that ends in town at a Pooch Parade. Short, rhyming text and busy, double-page spreads in brilliant shades present a variety of canines riding in cars and on motorcycles, bikes, sleds and skateboards. The beginning of the story, with the pugs being picked up one by one in different environments, holds promise, but once all the dogs descend into the streets for the parade, both the text and the illustrations veer off into confusing collisions of rhyme schemes and overcrowded pages. Additional textual asides in a larger typeface and a plethora of exclamation marks give the effect of a dog barking at readers to stir up excitement. The pugs driving in the VW bug is a humorous concept, but these puppies needed a stronger plot and some traffic direction to make the story accessible to the intended audience. (Picture book. 3-6)

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February 1, 2012

PreS-K-One pug sets off for the Pooch Parade in his VW Beetle and along the way he picks up five more pugs. The rhyming text is set in a fun font and often changes colors, emphasizing repeating lines and setting up a chant for a read-aloud. When the pugs finally reach the parade, they join a multitude of other dog breeds in all sorts of different vehicles, and readers are sure to enjoy the silliness of huskies pulling sleds, sheepdogs in a Jeep, bulldogs in cabs, etc. The color and details in the illustrations make this an eye-catching book. When children look closely, they will discover all the accessories the animals have, from the poodle's retro sunglasses to the sheepdog's top hat. The illustrations are the best part of this tale, capturing humor and vibrancy. This is a fun book, but the structure is a little off. It begins as a counting book up to the number six, and then the counting element stops midway. The chanting portion is a bit strained because it changes on every page (only portions of it are repeated throughout the whole book), which will make participation confusing for listeners. Not a first purchase.-Lora Van Marel, Orland Park Public Library, IL

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2012
Preschool-G Move over Sheep in a Jeep (1986), here come Pugs in a Bug. The text incorporates simple counting (one through six), snappy rhymes, and sound effects ( Beep beep! Bow wow! ) and tells the story of One pudgy pug in a clean green bug / Zipping round the bend / Looking for a friend. Once the pug has collected five compatriots, they join the Pooch Parade with other similarly mobile dogs (greyhounds in a bus, bulldogs driving cabs, and poodles on skateboards), and the pugs eventually claim the judges' prize. This canine motor show comes to a chaotic and amusing halt when a squirrel dashes across the road, leading to a frantic free-for-all. Still, it's a happy group of pugs who make their way home with dreams of renewed glory in next year's parade. The illustrations are full of pizzazz and the same bouncy energy as the text. This book is just right for a dog-themed toddler storytime, where children can count and beep along.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)