Camera-raderie and Grimm Tales: Detectives are Special and You are Too!

Hi!

     We haven't blogged for a few days because Allison did a very silly thing and stepped on a bumblebee. I hadn't known that those cheeky, buzzing things were called bumblebees; I only knew that every time I got close to snapping one up, my humans would start howling, "NO SAM! NO NO NO! DON'T EAT IT OR IT WILL STING YOUR MOUTH!" Sting? How was I to know what a sting is? Mostly I kept growling and pouncing at the buzzing things anyway, and Allison kept scolding me in that panicky voice. Until two days ago, when my beloved human forgot to hop over a bee herself while watching me. I guess these bee-things have pointy spikes on their bums...and they really hurt if you step on one.

     I don't think I've ever heard Allison make such a strange noise. Yowling in pain, she limped - with me in tow - back into the yard to find Rachel. My poor Allison has been hopping around with an expression of OUCH ever since. She even took a kind of medicine called Benadryl to help her stop scratching. But all it did was make her verrrry sleeeepy. 

    Of course, in between naps Allison has made sure that we keep reading! The following two mystery stories (which are both part of their own series) kept us busy while Allison's foot got less itchy-scratchy-ouchy. The first features a little human girl-pup who finds a lost puppy, and in the second a pair of scrappy sisters solve a fairy tale mystery: 

Click me for more about the series and its author.

       In Cam Jansen and the Barking Treasure Mystery by David Adler, illustrated by Susanna Natti, human-pup Cam, her mama, and some friends take a boat tour and end up in the middle of a mystery! A woman sneaks her puppy onboard in her purse even though dogs aren't allowed on the boat - and soon Little Treasure (the pup's name, which I think is SO silly!) is GONE. Aroooooooooo! Dognapped! 

The minute Allison read the part about Little Treasure being dognapped, I started to get nervous. Where did Little Treasure go? Who would take a pup? What if I ever get dognapped?! 

Calmly, Allison rubbed my tummy and reassured me that even if I were ever dognapped, my humans would find a way to get me back. 

"Besides," she said, "That woman brought her dog where she wasn't supposed to, and then she didn't pay attention - or put her pup on a leash! We wouldn't do that!" She smiled. "And you just watch. Cam Jansen is very special; she'll find the pup, don't worry." 

I settled down, comforted. Panting a little, I sat back on my haunches to listen to the rest of the story.  

Once Little Treasure vanishes, Cam leaps into action as fast as a bloodhound. This human-pup has a very special talent: she has a photographic memory. Allison says this means she can remember things in pictures - just like a camera! So Cam and her friend use what Cam remembers to find Little Treasure (and a certain shiny diamond collar). 

The dog's out of the bag then...   

     I liked this story, mostly. Cam's mom's friend is very funny (comic relief), and Cam Jansen herself is a loveable, smart character who truly enjoys helping people. The black-and-white line illustrations in the book add to a suspense-filled story. The ending (during which the mystery is solved partly through the thief's own slip-ups) proves satisfying if a bit predictable. The good guys win and get treats. The bad guy gets scolded and punished. But even better, the heroine solves the mystery by being herself and using her special talent. Everyone has a special gift or talent! It's a good idea to use your special talent to help someone else - by solving a mystery or otherwise!

I give this book two paws up. Especially the part at the end that asks human-pups to test their own memory/detective skills! Allison also highly recommends the Cam Jansen series; it was one of her favorite series when she was a young human-pup.

Best for human-pups grades 2-4.   

Click me for more about the Sisters Grimm and the author.

Click me to see the author and Al Roker discuss the books.

The Sisters Grimm by Michael Buckley is the first book in a series about two sisters. When Sabrina and Daphne's parents disappear, they find themselves adopted by a strange human grown-up who calls herself their "Grandma Relda." Only, their parents never mentioned they had a living grandmama! Suspicious but desperately wanting to have a family again, the girls have trouble getting used to living in Ferryport. It seems that the Grimm family have a tradition: all members becomes fairy tale detectives. This means they make sure fairy tale characters and humans get along. In this story, fairy tale characters are real - and all living in Sabrina and Daphne's new hometown!

In a ruff whirl of kidnapped grandmas, mean giants, and fantastic magic, the girls must depend on each other as well as new friends like Puck the pixie prince, the Big Bad Wolf, and a sassy Magic Mirror. Only the sisters Grimm can solve the mystery and save their grandma! Lots of laughs in this one. Even grown-up humans will appreciate the fairy tale character references transferred to real life, Allison says. Also a lot of real feelings from little human-pups; family means a lot to all creatures! The illustrations are a bit strange, but fun just the same. I give this first in the series two paws up and a tail wag, and I've been told by Mama Suz that the next few books in the series are pretty good as well (the rest, she claims, get TOO weird). This one is for human-pups grades 4-6. And any grown-ups who love a good fairy tale of course! Woooof! 

*Note from my human Allison: The edition we read had comprehension and critical thinking questions at the back - great for family discussions or teachers' lesson plans.

And now? Now I'm off to finish watching a movie called Clue with my humans. Lots of shrieking and talk of "murder." Mysteries all around! But at least the movie's yells will help me ignore the silly BOOMS outside. Allison says people are setting off something called "fireworks." I say my poor little pup ears are near to busting with all the horrible noise! Awoooooo! Going to sleep in Allison's room tonight, I think. Even detectives get scared sometimes...

We'll be reading more mysteries at some point, but I think I need a break from hunting down the bad guys. I've still got a lot to learn! Woof!

Once again mysteriously yours (but with my human safe by my side),

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