Let's Try SCIENCE!

Hi!

     This morning I spent some time with Rachel while Allison went to help Mama Suz with her work stuff. They had to put together Suz's lessons for the summer. She's a teacher, you know. That's just one of the reasons she's a fun, book-loving human! Anyway,I snuggled Rachel when she got sad over a silly phone call - and then just kept her company. 

It was only when Allison and Suz came home that things got...strange.

     My humans down at the kitchen table, but instead of eating food like they usually do there, they began to SQUISH it! Squish went the grape in a tiny bowl. Squish went the strawberry in another bowl. Squish went the spinach leaves in a third. What were they doing?  

      I pawed at Allison's foot from my spot under the table. Woof?

     "Wondering what we're doing, little man?"

     Yesss! I snuffled my answer into her flip-flop.

      "Well, we're doing something called an experiment," Allison told me. She crushed a pepper with a rock and continued, "Rachel wants to know if we can use the colors from these fruits and veggies to make a kind of paint."

      Arooo?

      "An experiment is an attempt to answer a question by doing something. You can think of possible answers and test them out. Like when you ring the bell over and over and over to go outside even when you don't have to do your business - just to see if we'll respond."

     Ahem. I tried to look sheepish, but only managed a pair of sweet puppy eyes. I was curious...that's all.

     "Silly pup! Anyway, doing science experiments and asking lots of questions is part of solving mysteries."

     Allison was right. Detectives have to stay focused and use science to answer questions and help others! 

It also helps to discuss mysteries with your fellow detectives!

     These books below - which star two canine crime-fighters - teach human-pups some wonderful ways to use science and what Allison calls "logic" to be detectives!

 In the the Lu and Clancy series, illustrated by Pat Cupples (authored by various humans), a couple of pups (Lu the Scottish terrier and Clancy the bassett hound) solve mysteries together. In Crime Science, a litter of little puppies go missing. So Lu and Clancy must use things like paw/finger-printing and comparing footprints to catch the dog-nappers. In Secret Languages, a foolish cat burglar tries to keep stolen jewels hidden with a bunch of secret languages and codes. But ha! Lu and Clancy track the criminals through an aquarium to solve the case. With a variety of activities with step-by-step easy instructions, from making invisible ink messages to speaking in code, these books will be a hit with human-pups. The grown-up humans will smile at punny phrases like "furrin language." One paw up for these books. Great for Grades 1-4 (but little ones will need help with the activities!). Look for other Lu and Clancy reads if you like these!   

Click me for a National Geo video about a real-life dog detective!     

     As for me, I've got to go curl up next to Allison's bookcase for a nap. A puptective needs to keep up his strength for more adventures! Allison says we'll be doing another chapter book next. Arooooo! Hurrah! I'll get to practice my new experimenting skills!

                                                                              Yours in clues and science,

                                                                               Sam I Am

Dum Dee Dum Dum: Some Mysteries are Just Ducky

Hi!

     Yesterday my humans took me to a place called Warren. I liked it very much; the fire hydrants are painted funny and everything smells a bit fishy. Even in this doggone summer heat I had fun!

Here I am waiting for Rachel and Suz outside a shop. 

     Usually I get a little sad when I'm not allowed in stores with my humans, but this time I decided to practice my detective skills. Tongue out to help me think, I kept my eyes open and my nose in the air. You have to pay  close attention when you're trying to solve a mystery. Anything might be a clue or an answer to a question! Ruff!

    

     As it was, I saw quite a few odd things. One human-pup walked by with a whole bottle of stuff that Allison called "Mountain Dew." He must have been thirsty because he was the only one lapping from that great big bottle - and he was wearing a shirt that matched it! I also found a tree with what looked like giant painted chew toys on ropes hanging on it. 

     

     "Buoys," Allison said. "Humans put them in the water to catch lobster."

    

     Lobster? What was a lobster? A kind of water-loving dog? 

    

     "Lobsters are little red animals with hard shells," she continued. "Humans cook them, then crack them open to eat them." She made a face, showing that this thing called "lobster" is definitely not one of her favorite foods. 

      We passed by the lobster-buoy tree, and after that I decided to follow my nose. My nose, twitching like crazy, smelled salt or fish or something. Tugging Allison toward the smell, I trotted off. And found a bay! More water! Aroooooo!

Detectives are good at finding things; the bay wasn't lost, but I found it anyway!  

       Later I spotted a funny man on something called a moped, met a nice black lab named PJ, and stopped in at Jack's Bar for a biscuit and some water. Everyone is so friendly to me! I guess they can sense what a smart pup - a detective in training no less!- I am...

     My latest mystery book is about not a dog, but a duck who solves mysteries:

Click me for more on the author.

 Having only seen ducks from a distance so far (Allison says I am NOT allowed to chomp on the mallards in the park nearby), I didn't know what to make of The Web Files. I chew on Mr. Squeaky Duck at least once a day, but he has never tried to question a bad guy or look for clues. Unless he does it when I'm not looking...

But I do keep him on a pretty short leash.

So these ducks - themselves kind of mysterious - are what you would call "farm police." In this tale by Margie Palatini, illustrated by Richard Egielski, the hero and his friend Bill must track down a stolen peck of perfect purple pickled peppers. What I find strange is that after every part of the ducks' case, the author has written "DUM DEE DUM DUM" in bold print. Why? Allison says that this - along with phrases like "the usual suspects" and "dirty rat" - refers back to an old television show called Dragnet. When we first read it aloud, Daddy (who Allison says used to love detective/cop shows) laughed out loud and helped us with the "dum dee dum dum" parts. I think this means that some grown-up humans will like this book as much as the human-pups will!

A tongue-twisting (Allison's tongue had trouble with some of the "perfect pickled purple peppers") mix of nursery characters and crime drama, I give this book two paws up. The illustrations of the ducktective duo make the story even more funny - and little human-pups will jump to follow the adventure with gleeful "dum dee dum dums." Personally, I woofed softly along as I rooted for the ducks in their barnyard quest for missing vegetables. Sure to make parents and human-pups ages 4-8 laugh! 

     As of right now, this puptective is off-duty. There's plenty of time tomorrow for more practice - and more reading! Now where did I last see Mr. Squeaky Duck...

 Yours in Quacking Crimes,

Sam I Am

Hot on the Tail of Mystery

Hi!

     This entry has had a few false starts because Allison has to keep reminding me not to multi-task. More specifically, I am not supposed to try to dictate a blog entry to her while chewing on her toes. Or on her pants. Or on the towel on her floor. Or on that tasty spot of uneven floorboard. She gets a bit frustrated, but can I help if I'm still working on losing my puppy teeth? Sometimes we're a bit of a mystery to each other.

     Ahem. Anyway, Allison and I just finished James and Deborah Howe's Bunnicula. A pup of my curiosity finds mysteries very fun! Arooooo! You need to use all of your senses: smell, sight, hearing, taste, and touch. Anyone can be a detective - and every day. So the next few entries will be about detective stories (especially since my humans found two good ones yesterday at the bookstore!). This will make a good start:   

In this book, sub-titled "A Rabbit Tale of a Mystery," two pets must deal with the arrival of a new friend - a new friend that just may be a vampire rabbit! Told by Harold the dog, the story follows he, Chester the cat, and the mysterious Bunnicula. Chester thinks that the family's vegetables are turning white because Bunnicula is biting the juice out of them! What follows is a wonderful, funny adventure kept going by what Allison calls Chester's "overactive" imagination. The characters are loveable, and the pencil illustrations show their personalities as much as the story. Overall, I give this book two paws up and a tail wag! Human-pups ages 9-12 will love this book - and might also enjoy James Howe's other books in the Bunnicula series: Howliday Inn, Return to Howliday Inn,The Celery Stalks at Midnight, and Nighty Nightmare. For littler human-pups (K-3), try Hot Fudge, Rabbit-Cadabra, Scared Silly, and more!     

    

  

 Chester, Harold, and the nose-twitching, veggie-attacking Bunnicula.

My own mystery: to wonder what adventures I will have next...

I'd make a terrific detective hero, don't you think? Step into my office. Rufff!

     

     With more mysteries to follow, I remain your faithful, book-loving pup,

Sam I Am

About the Little Ones

Hi!

     Allison is all kerfluffled because she just spent a long time pawing through the neighbor's bushes. You see, when Allison and Suz came back home (they went to a faraway bookstore while I had what my humans call "male bonding time" with Daddy), I tugged Allison in the direction of an interesting smell. And woof, what a find! Right in the little cubby next to one of the basement windows was a baby robin birdie. She was stretching her neck out and opening her mouth wide-wide; I think she was hungry. In any case, she needed our help!

    I was all for picking her up in my mouth, but Allison told me not to. Instead, she and her daddy scooped the bird up in a towel and gently tried to push her in the direction of the silly mama bird (now chirping her head off as well). And you know what? The mama bird kept chirping, while the baby bird just sat there. Allison and Suz didn't like this. Allison began yelling up at the mama bird to "TAKE CARE OF YOUR BABY FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE," and both of them muttered that "the cat" would "get her" if they didn't do something.

    Enter a ladder, a cardboard box, some towels. Add them to a very silly baby bird. What does this equal? Aroooooo! It equals a baby in the bushes, with my human Allison crying out curses as she plunged after it. I think they wanted to get the baby birdie back in the tree, but all they did was show her a good hiding spot. Hopefully the mama will go help her baby from there. I gave Allison's hand a good lick when she finally came back inside (she tasted of mud and pine needles) - we tried, and that's what counts. Looking after those who are smaller and/or weaker than us is important! Gotta take care of the little ones! Ruff!

   Allison and I recently read a story about a little dog (not unlike me!) who - though he is small - becomes a hero by looking after someone even littler! 

Lobo by Gladys Yessayan Cretan, illustrated by Patricia Coombs, tells the story of a little black dog who thinks he's big. He growls at caterpillars, chases birds, and terrorizes the neighbors in his efforts to protect his humans and prove his toughness. Unfortunately, his humans (as humans often do) do not understand and scold him. You're not a big dog, everyone tells him. Tail drooping, Lobo gets sad. Only when Lobo bravely uses all his might to help a mama find a lost human-pup does he realize that he doesn't need to be or act big to make a difference! A bit predictable, but still a good (albeit a bit old-fashioned, according to Allison) story for little human-pups who sometimes feel helpless and small. You don't need to be big to be a hero! Woof! One paw up for this book. Best for human-pups K-2.

     Of course, I know what it's like to be small and still want to make sure my family is safe. Before the rescued birdie and my time with Daddy today, yesterday I spent time with Jacob-baby. Suz and Allison took us both on a thrilling trot around the neighborhood. The thing is, because Jacob's so little himself, I feel that I have an extra-special job in protecting him. He's my buddy, hugs and clumsy belly rubs and all! So of course I followed close on his heels, growl-barking at any suspicious bushes or people. Allison chuckled at my protectiveness, but I know my job. Help those smaller or younger or weaker than you. A pup's got to keep his favorite little human-pup safe after all!

Little hugs with lots of love (especially when he remembers not to squeeze me too hard)!

And the kid even loves fire hydrants as much as I do! Good taste, ruff!

This book below tells the tale of a big bear and a little mouse; they go on a walk too!

     

Ernest and Celestine, written and illustrated by Gabrielle Vincent, follows the bear and his mouse friend as they have a nice winter walk - and then face a big problem! Celestine has lost her stuffed bird Gideon! Now, I know what it is to miss a stuffed friend; Allison put my squeaky giraffe "in the wash" once, and I felt lost until I got him back. Not a good situation. Luckily for Celestine, Ernest "has Celestine's back" as Allison puts it. Taking care of his little friend, he finds a solution to the problem of the missing Gideon. A very sweet, simple-yet-elegant story with beautiful pictures (Allison says the pictures remind her of the Winnie-the-Pooh illustrations...must remember to read Winnie soon), this book and others about the same duo are sure to become favorites among the human-pups you share them with! Two paws up for this story - wonderful as it is for human-pups K-2 and their mamas and daddies.     

Protect those you love and show kindness to others - even if it means riding a scary purple dinosaur!

            I'm still working on Bunnicula; I'm looking forward to the ending! After that? I'll have to check out some of the books Allison and Suz found today. Exciting!

                               Your Little and Little-Ones-Loving Friend,

Sam I Am

Rain or No Rain, A Pup Em-BARKS on Imaginative Adventures

Hi!

     Another day of rain rain rain! It makes me long for a nice, hot day in the backyard with my humans. I know, I know. We had those two marvelous days in the park and then in Wickford. I guess I am a little bit spoiled (but hey, a pup needs outside time in addition to snuggling!).

I've got to stay in good shape to tackle those funny-flying discs my humans throw for me!

     Of course, Allison sees the wet weather as a chance for more reading. So I've been spending a lot of time in her room - either cuddled up on her bed (only bed in the house I'm allowed on!) or sprawled out on her floor near the bookcase. Our most recent venture: a book called Bunnicula by James Howe. It's a longer one so we're only half-way through, but it's pretty fun so far. Narrated by Harold, the family dog, the story follows the Monroes as they deal with a bunny rabbit that may be something called a vampire. A vampire, Allison says, is a kind of monster with pointy teeth that drinks blood - yuck! In this case, the bunny vamp sucks the juice of vegetables instead. I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next! Wooof!

     Because I'm still just a pup, I can't pay attention very well sometimes. I need lots of breaks in between the longer book's chapters! So Allison and I read shorter books during our breaks. Today we read two that reminded me how important Imagination is in a dog's life - especially when life (or the silly weather) don't go the way we want or expect! Life gives you kibble, make kibble-cake (lemons and lemonade are gross).

    The first is the tale of a dog named Moe and a terrific idea:

Moe the Dog in Tropical Paradise by Diane Stanley, illustrated by Elise Primavera, will show all human-pups who read it the true power of imagination. Moe and his friend Arlene get a week off for vacation - but the cold, wintry weather seems to be working against them. They have no money to travel to a hot beach, and even the heat in the movie theatre is broken. Moe, however, uses his imagination to turn his house into Tropical Paradise! The vacation saved, the two dogs have a lot of fun without ever leaving the house. Two paws up and two tail-wags for this creative book and what Allison calls "evocative, colorful illustrations." A loveable hero who doesn't give up until he creates his perfect holiday makes this book a bow-wow read! Best for human-pups ages 4-8.

The second book, David Small's Imogene's Antlers, tells the comical story of a human-pup with an equally wonderful imagination. Upon waking up one morning to find she has grown antlers (like some kind of silly deer or moose), Imogene makes up her mind to enjoy every minute of her new gift. From feeding the birds by putting drool-worthy donuts on her horns to hanging up towels to dry, Imogene uses her imagination to make the most of the surprise. Even while her family memebers call in doctors and her mama faints a lot. The surprise ending is also a treat! Arooo! Two paws up and recommended for human-pups 4-8!

    Time for more vampire bunnies and other good stories!

                 Yours in Imaginative Glee,

Sam I Am

   

 

To Sleep Perchance to Pant and Dream?

Hi!

     My humans recently decided that I need more exercise and adventure to help me go to sleep every night. A little pup like me has so much energy that when it gets to be bedtime, I can't help but howl and whimper in protest. So Allison, murmuring again and again "such a little baby," has been making sure I get to try new things every day. That'll give me lots of good things to think about so I can fall asleep.

    On Sunday my family brought me to a place called Colts State Park. I'd never seen so much sparkly blue water before! Nevermind the tangy, salty smell of the rocks, the many trees to wander through, and the yummy bit of hamburger I nipped up from a plate left behind by another family! I got to trot along the water (the "bay," Allison calls it), and I even made some new friends. A group of human-pups leaped around, petting me and lowering their faces for licks. Aroooooooooo! The sun was going down and making the water all glittery, and I was soooo happy to romp.

Gotta say hi to my fans. Woof!

Feeling wolf-like atop a rock looking at the pretty water.

View from the pier.

     Then after some lazy time yesterday in the backyard (my humans read books and planted vegetables and painted things, while I gnawed my rawhide and trotted around), today meant a new road trip. Allison, Rachel, and Suz brought me to a place named "Wickford." More water, lots more boats, and a chipmunk here and there. We had lunch outside on a great big stone table near the North Kingston Library (I even managed to coax Suz into giving me a piece of ham), and then walked around Wickford.

 I had to help Rachel decide which way to go. Pups like me are great with directions. Yip!

    It was just after a stroll down Main Street to sniff peoples' gardens that I saw the ghost....

      We were wandering through a grassy yard with tall, rounded stones sticking up everywhere. Allison called it a "graveyard," and Rachel occasionally shrieked at me to get off the stones because "YOU'RE STANDING ON A DEAD PERSON'S SPOT!" Apparently this was one of the places where humans put the bodies of those humans who have gone to heaven. The stones mark the spots and have names and designs on them. Like this:

 

       Anyway, I saw this wavery, shivery figure in the graveyard. Naturally I started growling. I yowled, I barked, I rawred. I let this strange being know it wasn't going to hurt my family. It just looked at me and then vanished. Harmless. Or maybe I imagined it? My humans were confused, their sight different from a dog's sight. They couldn't see the ghost. In any case the moment went by, and we headed off.

      Now that I'm home again, I'm still kind of anxious about bedtime. When I told Allison, she pulled out three new books. Two about bedtime and one about four friendly ghosts who have an adventure. Here they are:

Llama in Pajamas by Gisela Voss, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, is a simple but cute story about a baby llama (kind of like a horse and a sheep put together) who tries to avoid bedtime and his pajamas. This book for human pups has paper flaps for little paws to lift, following the baby llama's hiding spree. The ending will make human-pups giggle (though at last the llama does fall asleep), and the water color style pictures are sure to satisfy. Great for human pups from baby to kindergarten - and best for bedtime! Ruff! Two paws up.

This book, James Stevenson's We Can't Sleep, tells the story of a grandfather's adventures. Grandpa knows Louie and Mary Ann can't sleep; he remembers when he couldn't sleep when he was their age! So this funny human tells the human-pups his great tale of dragons and icebergs and flying chairs during his own sleepless night long ago. Until at last they fall asleep themselves. Two paws up for this comical book and its comic-strip-style pictures. A favorite of Allison's, this one! Best for human pups PreK-K.  

Jacques Duquennoy's The Ghosts' Trip to Loch Ness is my third recommended read. Four very friendly ghosts take a trip (like my trips with my humans!) to the Loch Ness (a big lake in a place called Scotland). In search of an equally friendly monster, the ghosts take pictures, go fishing, and sail around the lake - assisted by MacGhost (and his two Scottish terriers). But they keep missing the monster. Until they return home and look at their photos, that is! Another simple yet unique story with lovable characters. Two paws up and a tail wag for this one; human-pups of the littlest sort will love the ghosts. For more of their adventures, look for The Ghosts' Dinner, The Ghosts in the Cellar, and Operation Ghost.

There is certainly more to life than it seems at first. Ghosts and bays and bedtime stories. You just have to pay attention and see it all as part of life's adventure! Funnily enough, I'm beginning to feel kind of sleepy. *BIG PUPPY YAWN*

                   Good night and good dreams,

Sam I Am    



    

Parties and Postal Workers: Some Truths Straight From the Puppy's Mouth

Hi!

     My humans and I have been busy the last couple of days! I went to the doctor's and got my last puppy shots and rabies shot. I was a bit scared about all the shots, but my buddy Jacob-Baby came with me. He kept giving me hugs and saying, "It's okay, Sam."  So I showed him how very brave I can be. Lots of treats for that! I was a little snoozy and woozy afterwards, so I took a day or two off from blogging. But now I'm back with a few good books to recommend! Woof!

After all, a pup can't snooze forever!   

     Anyhow, Allison and I were talking the other day about some of the strange things humans think about dogs like me. She says that humans have something called stereotypes.

     Stereotype? It sounded like some kind of strange animal to me. Maybe some kind of pesky bird? But no. It turns out that stereotypes are ideas that humans hold on to make things simple. And they're not always right. For example, a stereotype about dogs is that they hate mailmen. Just because we bark and chase after them on occasion. Not true! Stereotypes are too general a lot of times, and don't explain everything. Personally, I love our mailman! He's a great human, always stops to give me a tussle and a belly-rub when I gallop towards him and his big blue bag. My friend Chance barks at the mailman to both say hi and warn him that Chance's family has a wonderful watchdog. We're supposed to protect you silly humans, remember?

     In any case, stereotypes can be very silly. All dogs (and humans) are unique. To say that all chihuahuas love Mexican food (as another example) doesn't allow for differences in taste and personality. Everybody's different!

     On that note, here are two of my latest recommended reads:

The Jolly Postman, Or Other People's Letters by Janet and Allan Ahlberg provides proof that a mailman can be a jolly nice human indeed. In this adventurous tale, follow a cheerful and courageous postman as he delivers letters to fairy tale characters and drinks more tea than a pup could imagine! The Big Bad Wolf gets a letter from a lawyer, a Wicked Witch serves up green tea, and a host of other storybook citizens happily accept flyers, invitations, and surprises. Human-pups will love this book!

Allison applauds the simple but "rolicking" rhymes and the illustration's imaginative detail. Me? I loved the letters that readers can pop out and enjoy (the only time, Allison says, that it's okay to read other people's mail).

The Jolly Postman and his adventures get two paws up, and two tail wags (a high rating from a pup who certainly does not hate mailmen)!

Click me to read an interview with the authors.

Also try The Jolly Christmas Postman and The Jolly Pocket Postman, which has the postman and his faithful dog shrinking after an encounter with magic tea! All three are terrific for human-pups ages 4-8 (but pups' parents will enjoy these books too! Arooooooo!) 

Mailmen aside, have you ever wondered what your dog does/thinks when you're busy or not home? Silly humans are sadly mistaken if they think we dogs just lie around sleeping or plotting new ways to chew holes in your shoes! Many pups, like me, need action, adventure, and a bit of prowling. So sometimes when my humans are sleeping and they forget to close the gate, I sneak into the family room for some fun. Allison caught me in action once...what can I say? I wanted to party with the animals in Jacob's barn!

 A small wolf creeps up on a sleeping barn...

No, Allison! I just want a snuggle. I'm not in the mood for lambchops...not right this second anyway.

 Munching on a cow. Very mooooving friendship.

     So be aware: pups love adventures, and you never know what we will think of next! Stanley, the main character in Stanley's Party and Stanley's Wild Ride by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Bill Slavin, gets into fantastic mischief!



Click me for more from this author.

Part of a series of books about the loveable, scruffy Stanley, Stanley's Party tells the tale of a dog exploring unthought-of freedom when his humans go out at night. Jumping on the couch, raiding the fridge, everything against the rules in his house! Finally Stanley hosts a gigantic party for all the dogs in the neighborhood - taking his rebellion a bit too far, but getting his humans' attention. In Stanley's Wild Ride, the same adventurous pup sneaks out of his yard for a crazy night with his friends. Both books feature comical illustrations and a group of dogs who know that exploring is a great part of life! Two paws up. Best for human-pups PreK-3, Allison thinks.

Off now! I've got to go hunt worms in the yard, chew my rawhide (I still have my back puppy teeth), and go say hi to my friend Sadie. Adventures, friends, mailmen, and new things. Woof! This is the life!

            Yours in Postmen and Parties,

Sam I Am

An Unpleasant Surprise: Using Friendship to Stop Bullies

Hi!

     After the day I had today, I've been talking to my humans about the Unexpected. You see, I had quite a shock on my morning walk with Allison. Trotting along, I was sniffing a bit of moss on one of our favorite side streets when a strange-looking human with fur on his face and a funny hat came out of a house. With him were two boxer dogs.

     Everybody knows how much I love to stop and say hi to all the people and animals I see, but these dogs seemed kind of ruff and tough. So Allison and I kept walking - until the dogs knocked their human into a flowerbed, pulled their leashes, and charged! Snarling and jumping all over me, those big bullies didn't give me a chance to exchange a sniff. I was so scared I started crying! Allison very bravely picked me up and held me, even as the two meanies leapt at her trying to get at me. When their human finally came and caught them, Allison and I were pretty shaken up. We went right home and took a nap on Allison's bed.

And had a snuggle on the rocking chair as well...snuggle therapy!

     Some surprises, like the one we had, aren't much fun. But I think I learned something from it. Don't panic! If you get called bad names by bullies (ambushed, Allison calls it), be brave. Ignore them because you know they are very wrong about you! You don't need to panic and run away; just calmly walk away. And friends help too! I'm so glad Allison was there to help me when those mean dogs surprised me. Talk to your family and friends about your own bullies, and remember that even if you can't be friends with everyone (though I try, woof!), you will eventually find others who will love you!

     This book below, Bill Peet's Huge Harold, tells the story of a very special rabbit. A rabbit who feels like he doesn't belong, who encounters bullies, and who finally finds a true friend:

Click me for more on the author.

Now I have seen some really big bunnies. They hop around the yard and leave their scent all over the place. It drives my little sniffing nose crazy! But no bunnies I've seen are as big as Harold. He's as big as a horse!!! When his own mom and dad tell him that he is too big to hide in the meadows, Harold hops off to find a new place to live. Unfortunately, poor Harold meets bully after bully (from rude cows to hungry foxes to angry hunters) who don't understand that he just wants to belong.  

Finally Harold decides that he's "through running away," and finds a friend in a human named Orville. Thanks to the friendship of Orville, the bullies are "foiled" (Allison's words), and Harold finds a new home where he is accepted for being himself. No more running around being scared! Yay Harold!

I liked this book. Told in rhyme and accompanied by Bill Peet's wonderful pencil drawings, I felt myself rooting for Harold the gigantic rabbit. Silly bullies are no match for friendship! Two paws up. Human-pups ages 4-8 will love Huge Harold.

Off to give my human friends extra snuggles; bullies beware!

                             Surprisingly yours,

                  Sam I Am

Ruffing It Indoors: In Response to Rainy Days

Hi!

     Right now I'm resting after a nice play-chase with Allison. Even when a pup can't get outside as much to run after squirrels because of the rain, it's fun to have what my humans call a "rampage" around the house. Everyone should try it! Grab your bit of rawhide, duck underneath the table (panting loudly, of course), look this way and that, gallop through your chaser's parted legs, growl softly, run back to the kitchen, give the rawhide a shake, and then do it all over again. Allison is getting better at being the chaser. Aside from the fact that she sometimes manages to distract me with one of my squeaky toys - not fair! 

     Anyway, with all this wet outside the past few days have been kind of slow. Now, I don't mind a cozy rainy-day nap sometimes, but I'm a dog of Action at heart. I want to Do Things, have adventures. Being stuck inside too long makes me go wild. I steal socks. I attack unsuspecting table legs. I claim every towel I see as my own chew-toy/nap pad.

I can't help it; rainy days get me down (then I make mischief).

     Seeing me go crazy, Allison did what she always does when she's solving a problem or teaching me a lesson: go over to one of my family's book cases and pull out some stories. Today she picked two. One is a book about two human-pups having fun inside depite their own rainy-day troubles. The other is a story about some very strange puppies who live in Texas (a place so hot and sunny, Allison says, that reading about it will keep us cozy).

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So What If It's Raining by Miriam Young, illustrated by Carol Nicklaus, tells the story of friends Jason and Jennifer as they spend a rainy day inside. Amazingly, these human-pups don't seem to care about the weather! Sunshine? They don't seem to miss it! Because they have what Allison calls "imaginations."

"Yip?" I looked up at Allison, waiting for her to explain. Imagination? Is that something to eat?

"An imagination is someone's ability to make pictures and stories in his or her head," she said.

I cocked my head at her. Huh?

Allison smiled. "Okay, Sam. Now, think of a big juicy hamburger the size of the kitchen. It's sitting in the next room, waiting for you. But a monster is guarding it. You have to chase it away to get the burger..."

BURGER! I could see it, almost smell it. It would take me days to eat it all up! I jumped up and ran toward the family room, growling and ready to face the monster. But when I got there, I didn't see any burger or monsters! What happened?

"Your imagination ran away with you," Allison laughed. "There was never any burger, but you made it kind of real by imagining it!"

Imaginationed burgers aside (in this case learning made me HUNGRY!), Jason and Jennifer put their imaginations to good use. Floods, circuses, bandits, elves, and science experiments! All in one afternoon! The illustrations of Jason's living room change with each story the friends create, making it impossible for readers not to come along for the ride. Two paws up from this happy pup! Allison says it's probably best for human-pups ages 6-8, with parents' help. Enjoy!

Click me for access to chili recipes. Yum.

Chili Dogs by Carla Tedrow, illustrated by Lou Grant, tells the tale of a Texan family. Two humans and their dalmatians Taco and Tamale must struggle against their evil, mean-to-pups landlord Mr. Derrick. Mr. Derrick also has dalmatians - but he is very mean to them! When Tamale has puppies (chili dog pups!), the Cabreras family get excited because a puppy contest could win them enough money to save their restaurant! There are some scary parts in this book, such as when Mr. Derrick tries to puppy-nap the chili dogs (I ran out of Allison's room and wouldn't come back until she promised there was a happy ending), but everything works out! The setting is both warm and spicy, the characters unique and lovable, and the story's ending for Mr. Derrick very satisfying! Two paws up and a tail wag from me! This colorful book stands up against animal abuse and will show human-pups the importance of hope, family, and imagination in changing the world! Best for human-pups ages 4-8, but all will love the pictures and the wonderful dogs!

*BIG PUPPY YAWN* Time for bed after a great day! These two books helped me beat the rainy-day blues as my humans sometimes call them. Imagination and family - so glad I have both! Even if I'm still wishing that burger were really in the family room...

Yours in Spice and Stories,

Sam I Am

"Bub" is All You Need: Listen and Understand, Young Pup

Hi!

      Allison couldn't write for me yesterday because there was something called a "storm." Gigantic flashes of light and big booming sounds coming from outside. I guess the sounds and lights messed up her computer. As it is, the booms and flashes messed me up; for two nights in a row I've woken up and gotten very lonely and confused all of a sudden. That makes me howl and whine and cry for my humans to please please wake up and give me a snuggle! The storm also made my tummy so nervous that I had an accident. Uh-oh!

     All I wanted was to be let out of my crate and explore what was going on outside - and my humans didn't understand at first. Sick and concerned about needing to protect my family, I tried so hard to tell them. I felt a little sad because of it, but today Allison told me that I was a good boy. Accidents happen, she says, and we're still working to understand each other, my family and I. It can be frustrating when others don't understand you or you don't understand them. Everyone's different, as even a little wauzer-pup like me knows by now. It takes patience and love to get along with people (or dogs) you meet - and practice!

Explore and try to understand others - it's a part of life! WOOF!

     Today Allison decided that we would read a book about a kind of funny misunderstanding. This story features a king, a queen, a little prince, a cook's daughter, and best of all, the prince's faithful dog!

    Natalie Babbitt's story Bub or the Very Best Thing opens with two royal parents having a royal fit about what is best for their little boy, the prince. They go on to ask everyone in the entire castle what is best - and all the while their human-pup is trying to tell them, "BUB!" (Which, Allison tells me, is human-pup "baby talk" for LOVE.) Of course the grown-up humans don't understand their son - nor do they take notice of the dog (who wears a silly hat that I would never wear) who lovingly follows his human and a particular stuffed dragon toy around. Silly humans!  

For what Allison calls the "masterful and realistic" illustrations of those who live in the castle (including the ever-patient royal canine), I give this book a paw and a half up. I especially like the tiny pictures of the dog's adventures above the text. I wasn't completely satisfied with the actual story's ending; the prince's parents still don't understand, even if they cheerfully look forward to when the prince can explain "bub" to them in big-people talk. Only the cook's daughter makes any real effort to understand the prince! Trying to understand takes both time and effort! Nonetheless, a good read. Understanding others can be RUFF!  

Off to play a bit before sleep-time!

                An Understanding Pup,

Sam I Am

Pants, Trips, and Automobiles: A Dog About Town

Hi!

     This is the life! Days like these make me happy happy HAPPY to be a dog. Today Allison and Rachel took me on another adventure in the car. I don't understand it, but Rachel turned on something called the "air conditioning" - and cold air blew at me from all sides! I stayed on Allison's lap until we stopped for a little while. Rachel got out of the car and stuck what looked like a snake in a hole in the car.


      "Gas," Allison explained. "The car needs gas for food."
    
      Gas? How strange. I've heard that word before, mainly when my tummy is a bit upset and my humans say things like "silent but deadly" and "cute smelly puppy." Cars are strange animals I guess. Also, the car has a big wheel that my humans use to tell the car where to go; with Rachel outside, I hopped into her spot and decided to give it a try.


       "Woof," I muttered under my breath. Go on, Car. Take me to somewhere that has bacon-flavored cookies and no gates.


      The silly thing just sat there. Fine, I thought. At least I have a good view of everything from up on this wheel.

Hmmm...how does it work?

Rachel was laughing at my attempts to make the car go. Like her hat?

     After that my humans took me to meet more of their human and animal friends. Ana, Aurora, and their mama fussed over me and lent me a couple of toys to play with. Not so long ago two dogs named George and Pepper lived with them, but now both of them are in Doggy Heaven. That's what Allison says.This family was so nice that my tail was going happy-wild!

Ana and I have an outside snuggle!

     I also got to meet Fritz, a cat (who unkindly puffed up to a scary size when I barked a play-challenge at him), some chickens (the rooster made a funny jump when I leaped toward him to say hi), and some BIG beasts Allison calls "horses." I got along with Corey the horse the best, bouncing up on my hind legs to sniff hello. 

Hi Corey the Horse!

Bounce! Got to sniff, got to say hi!

     In between I chased a few bugs, watched Ana and my humans drink something called tea, snuggled up to Ana and Aurora's mama, and explored. To my my surprise, the adventure wasn't over! After saying good-byes (good-bye for now, that is), my humans brought me to The LIBRARY. Know what's in The LIBRARY? BOOKS!


    Because of another silly rule, dogs aren't allowed inside The Library, but I wandered around with Rachel while Allison went to find us some more fun books to read. I even got to see Cristina (Jacob-Baby's mama and one of Jesse's humans). She's always ready to give me a good pet! 


   Now I am, as my humans put it, "zonka-puppy." Very tired from my wonderful day. But of course never too tired for a story. This one may just turn out to be one of my favorites...its hero is almost as adventurous as I am! 

In The Adventures of Taxi Dog by Sal and Debra Barracca, illustrated by Mark Buehner, a dog named Maxi tells his own story in rhyme. I loved this book! Maxi is a stray before Jim the taxi driver (he rides in a special kind of car and helps people get to places) rescues him. I never had to roam around the streets avoiding the dog catcher, but I was rescued just like Maxi! Thank goodness for humans like Jim and my family! Never too late to help an animal in need - we appreciate it! Woof!

Throughout the rest of the story, Maxi has adventures with Jim in the taxi. From clowns and opera singers to airplanes and hotdogs, Maxi encounters a lot of interesting things! Most of all though, this story is about friendship and teamwork between a dog and his human. Friends are important - otherwise who would you go on adventures with? Who would help you when you're sad and lonely? A pup needs friends in life!

Two paws up and a tail-wag for this book! Allison adds that the attention to detail, the vibrant colors of the illustrations, and the keen-eyed portrayal of life in a big city like New York make this a winner. Featured as a Reading Rainbow pick, The Adventures of Taxi Dog will have the human-pups laughing and barking praise for hero Maxi. Be sure to check out Maxi's other adventures: Maxi, the Hero and Maxi, the Star.  

Allison says I should also post some of my pictures from the Art Festival this weekend. Libraries, art, horses, tea, cars, roosters, gas! What a whirl of new things to dream about! So I'll let her put the pictures up if she feels like it. Off to snuggle up with my squeaky duck - right after I give my humans a last kiss to show how much their friendship means to me.

               Yours in Friendship and Exploring,
Sam I Am