Be a Peanut Butter Friend: Stick Together with Those You Love!

Hi!

      Still in my funny cone hat, I've been trying to do what Allison told me and relax. She says if I run around too much I might "bust" my stitches and it would hurt. But it's so hard to stay still with so much energy! Arooooo!

     See, this is my Aww-can't-we-play-chase? face.

     Allison lets me play fetch, but doesn't throw Clifford very far. That way I don't have to work as hard. She makes up for no chase games with extra books though! I think I would've started to go crazy if my humans had not been so nice to me! (Things get ruff without friends!) That's what friends are for; they take care of you and cheer you up when you're sad. Friends stick together like peanut butter to the roof of my mouth! Just like the friends in the book I read today...

Mini Grey's picture book Three By the Sea is an unusual story about three unlikely friends. Cat, Dog, and Mouse live happily together in a little house on the beach - until a travelling sales-fox comes to visit and stirs up trouble. (The fur on my back bristled when Allison read aloud the part when the Fox swaggers in with his pin-striped suit and trouble-making questions.) Suddenly Dog feels like Cat is getting lazy, Cat feels like Mouse's cooking is boring, and Mouse feels like Dog is a terrible gardener! The three friends argue, and a tearful Mouse leaves home - only to be swept up by a big wave. Human-pups will like this story's exciting climax as Dog, Cat, and Mouse all pull together to save Mouse and their friendship. As for the ending? It shows the power of friendship renewed, the importance of talking to your friends, and why sometimes you have to compromise when you love someone. Compromise means everyone works together toward the best solution for everyone - even if one pup needs to give a little bit up! I give this book one paw up, especially liking the illustrations that at times (so Allison says) seem like a "scrapbook style." Best for human-pups in grades K-3. Arooooo!  

Now I'm sleepy. All this rain and reading sure makes a dog want a snuggly snooze! Until next time, then!

Your friend (still stuck in a cone),

Sam I Am

Sandy Runs and Bubbly Baths: A Pup Goes Beach-Wild and Then Gets Groomed

Hi!

     Aroooooo! What busy couple of days! Tomorrow is my half-birthday (Allison says my turning six months old is a big deal), and my humans and I have been celebrating early. On Thursday, I had my very first beach day. We travelled what seemed like a lonnnnng way on a rumbly boat called a "ferry." There were lots of human-pups aboard, plenty of fun salty smells, and enough wind to blow my hair into my eyes and fluff my bum up. I was a little unsure at first - Allison had to carry me up the boat's steps - but I soon began to like the ferry's growly rockings and explored a bit. 

  A windblown little me peeks over a pile of ferry rope. Ruff!

      A few very loud HOOONNNNKS later, my humans and I stepped onto Block Island. It's a good place for pups and human-pups to visit! Unlike Rhode Island, which is something called a state and isn't a real island, Block Island is a place completely surrounded by The Ocean. So you can imagine my excitement at all the new smells and sights! Our first stop was a farm with strange animals walking around. I'm always ready to make new friends, so I padded over to a family of puffy-looking creatures with long necks. I though they were llamas, but Allison told me they were "alpacas" - like llamas only fluffier.

They mostly just looked at me. Silly alpacas. I guess their funny haircuts make them shy.

     I had the most fun giving the ducks a chase and licking hellos to the tiniest human-pups visiting the farm. Then a rude, fast-moving emu made me jump back in surprise, and I was ready to move on to explore different places on the island. Next stop: a picnic lunch in front of the Island Free Library. Adventurers have to eat  A LOT to explore. Woof!

     After a long, hot walk, we finally got to the beach! Sand and rocks and damp scraps of plants called "seaweed." Digging and climbing and waking up humans that were foolishly sleeping instead of playing. Best of all, Allison and Rachel let me off my leash so I could run around like a merry wolf dog! The two of them climbed some tall rocks to get to a mud pit; I led the way, bounding up and loving how fast my four legs could take me.

We all got really muddy from our climb.

Sandy and muddy and salty? Who cares? We had so much fun!!

Loving the sand.

Run run run! See that guy on the blanket? I was happy to wake him up.

     My first beach day was a wonderful time, and I didn't want leave! Only when Allison reminded me that we had to go have supper did I happily trot away from the sand. And guess what I had for supper? A taste of "clam cakes" and "oyster crackers"! Yummmmm!

     Here's a book about another pup who has fun on the beach and gets dirty doing it (remember Harry the dirty dog?):

Harry the dirty dog returns in this beach book. Unhappy about the heat, Harry pads off down the beach to look for some shade. Unfortunately, when Harry gets soaked by an ocean wave full of seaweed, he walks back down the beach looking like a sea monster! Cool but wet, Harry causes everyone on the beach to panic. Human-pups will giggle at the humans' silly fears; the illustrations show beach-goers running away from a happy green scraggly Harry! Knowing how fun it is to get muddy at the beach, I give this book two paws up. Human-pups will also like the ending - Harry finally gets a cool spot under his family's beach umbrella! It just goes to show that you need to pay attention to others' needs (And keep on the lookout for sea monsters! Ruff!). Best for human-pups PreK-3. Read it on your next seaside adventure! 

     Friday brought a whole new kind of adventure. Allison and Rachel brought me to get my first haircut! Wouldn't you know it, a haircut is when two very nice ladies cut your fur short after giving you a sweet-smelling bath...ugh! The humans at Canine Corner were nice; they played with me in between cutting my hair, but I was there for five hours. I was a little embarrassed when I got home (though my humans assured me I look very handsome), so Allison decided to read me a comical book about a king who takes one of the longest baths ever!

    Personally I don't like baths that much, but the king in Audrey and Don Wood's King Bidgood's in the Bathtub loves them! He loves them so much he refuses to get out of the bathtub - even to eat! How strange! Aroo!

My favorite part. I wouldn't mind baths if I had all that food in the tub!

Anyway, the rest of the humans in King Bidgood's kingdom try their hardest to get him out of the tub. But instead, each of them ends up in the tub with him! Two paws up for this tale. A simple story, the illustrations are some of the best Allison and I have seen (no wonder it was a Caldecott Honor book). I won't give away the ending, but let's just say that a little human-pup is the only one who finally gets everyone out of the bath (with an obvious solution). This one is best for bath-lovers and human-pups K-3.

     As for yesterday and today, my friend Lizzie is over. She'll be staying with my humans and me while her family goes to somewhere called "Oregon." She doesn't seem to want to play as much as I want to, but it's okay. I've got a whole bag of library books to read with Allison! Now I'm off for a nap before lunch. Arf!

                                                                        Yours in beach days and silly baths,

                                                                          Sam I Am

The Last Sam-I-Amurai: A Tale of New Friends

Hi!

     Allison and I haven't written in awhile because we were having adventures. Allison's friend from her old school came to visit; her name is Allyson, which sounds like my human's name but is spelled different, and she's terrific! She sure knows how to give a good belly rub. At her house in a far-away place called "New Jersey," her family includes an Old English Sheepdog named Doug - and Doug did a great job training his human! I have to say that I enjoyed the extra attention from my new friend.

     Allyson had to go home today, which made me a little sad. My family keeps telling me that she'll come back to visit again sometime though! Then we can have more adventures. Allison and I showed her the emus, took her on a picnic, and even went to a special outdoor movie in Providence with her. The movie (it was called "The Last Samurai," which made me happy because part of it was like my name) was very loud and there were lots of humans fighting in it. Too scary for human-pups. Why can't everyone just be friends, I wondered. I had no problem making new friends all around us, from this big tattooed guy with a funny mustache to a group of girls and a little grumpy dog named Butch. I had a lot of fun with Allyson and my Allison, which just goes to show that making a new friend always means a new adventure!

Snuggling with my new friend Allyson! 

     To cheer ourselves up after Allyson left to go back home, Allison and I pulled out another book we found at the Book Barn. This one is about a little polar bear who desperately wants a friend - and makes a new friend through a courageous adventure:

In Hans de Beer's Little Polar Bear Finds a Friend, Lars the polar bear starts out very sad. There's no one around for him to play with! One day, however, he goes for a walk and ends up getting trapped by humans hunting animals for a zoo. When Lars finds himself on a big boat with other caged animals, he sets them free - including a brown bear named Bea. Then begins a journey past cities, through forests, and over rough oceans to get home! Lars and Bea become fast friends, and this story's wonderful ending shows that no matter how different the two bears are, a strong friendship holds them together! Arooooo! Two paws up and a tail wag for this book! Beautiful illustrations and a heart-warming story make for a book human-pups will love! Best for human-pups K-3.  

Also recommended by this author: The Little Polar Bear, Little Polar Bear and the Husky Pup, Little Polar Bear and the Brave Little Hare, and Little Polar Bear, Take Me Home! (and more, including variations - like board books - for littler readers!)

Off to cuddle my giraffe now! And then I will happily dream about meeting even more new friends soon! Rufff!

Yours in Friendship and Other Wonderful Things,

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

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

   

 

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).

Click me for more from this author.

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

The Bull and the Lion: Keeping It Real

Hi!

     Today my humans took me to something called an arts festival. There were lots of people for me to meet and lick and impress with my panting, tail-wagging charm. Even a few human-pups - including one in this wheeled thing called a "stroller" - stopped to give me a quick pet or a belly rub. I can't count the number of times I got called "adorable" and "cute." All for just being me!

     Be yourself. "Let it all hang out," as some humans say...

     Anyway, two storybook characters Allison and I read about yesterday try to understand the same idea: what it means to be yourself. One of them calmly shows others that he will not change to fit in; the other learns the hard way that being himself is best.

Click me for Disney's film short based on the story.

In The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, illustrated by Robert Lawson, a bull named Ferdinand (but you guessed that, didn't you? Arf!) is different from the other bulls.

*You know, I didn't know what a bull was at first.* 

"Arooo," I woofed to Allison, pawing at the cover. 

Okay, so your name is Ferdinand, and you're a bull - but what is a bull?!

"A bull is a boy cow," Allison answered.

"Arooo?"

I stuck my tongue out and panted for a second while I thought about this. What was a cow?

"It's got four legs," Allison continued patiently. "It eats grass, it's black and white or brown, and it goes mooooooo!"

Then she told me that cows give us milk and ice cream. After that I decided I didn't care much what a cow actually is; if it lets Allison eat ice cream and occasionally drop a bit that I get to lick up, then cows and bulls are terrific!

So Ferdinand is different from the other bulls because he doesn't like to fight. Instead, he sits and smells the flowers (personally, I'll take a good bit of sniffing over a tussle any day). This goes okay for awhile, until some silly humans get confused. They think that Ferdinand is a ruff and tough bull - just because he runs around and snorts and yelps at a bee sting.

The humans bring Ferdinand to a big round ring to fight in front of an audience. Scary stuff those humans in Spain thought of...Allison says that Spain is a far-away place with different "traditions." That means they do things their own way. But Ferdinand refuses to fight - he knows he should still be himself and do things his own way! So this bull gets a happy ending when he shows the humans that he doesn't need to be what they want him to be.

Overall, I give this book two paws up. A good story with a lovable hero (though of course a canine hero would have been more lovable!). Allison and I agree that the illustrations (black and white drawings) show just enough detail and give the reader a wonderful sense of Ferdinand's world. Good for human-pups ages 4-8. 

Keep on sniffing, Ferdinand!

I didn't like the second story as much as Ferdinand, but I think human-pups will laugh at the silly lion in Don Freeman's Dandelion:

Click me for more on the author

This fluffy feline featured on the cover is invited to a party at his friend's house. Even though the invitation says to "Come as you are," Dandelion runs out to get a complete makeover. Curly mane, new sweater, a cane, everything! This part made me a little mad; why would he do all that? Just to impress the guests at the party? To keep up with "What Well-dressed Lions are Wearing This Year"? That's not what's important!

   

I might have tried to take my frustration out on the book..grrrr!

In any case, Dandelion learns his lesson when his friends don't recognize him, and he gets caught in a storm. ("I'll always be just plain me," he finally tells his friends.) Fancy clothes and haircuts don't mean anything. It's being you that counts! Woof! One paw up for this tale. I found the story's hero almost too silly (Allison says that Dandelion's so vain he probably thinks this song is about him...whatever that means.). The illustrations - pencil-drawing style with shading - are loosely done but interesting. The details in Lou's shop and the cap and cane shop are fun though! Good for human-pups ages 4-8. Laugh at the foolish cat!   

Good night! I'm just about to fall asleep on my pillow next to Allison's bed. Off to dream of kibble, art festival adventures, bulls, and cats.

                  The One and Only,

      Sam I Am