Synopses & Reviews
andquot;These stories about a puppy searching for his strengths will bring smiles of recognition to the beginning-reader set.andquot; andmdash;School Library Journaland#160;Join Buster the very shy dog as he discovers his self-worth and self-confidence in a house full of more outgoing canine and feline characters. Newly formatted for Green Light Readers Level 3, this edition of Busterand#160;features two easy-to-read stories from the original book. In the first, a wary Buster reaches out to befriend a girl who seems sad and lonely at a birthday party. In the second, Buster, insecure about his inability to catch a ball, uncovers a winning talent all his own!
Review
In the first of these easy-to-read stories, Buster's bashfulness causes him to hide ("Most people met Buster by accident") during his master's birthday party until he meets a kindred spirit; in the second, Buster's "big sister" Phoebe, who's a whiz at fetching and catching, helps Buster find his own gift; in the last story, Phoebe and Buster put their talents together to catch the "Garbage Bandit". The digest-sized format of the book is pitched toward both picture-book and beginning-reader audiences, and the lively ink-and-watercolor illustrations have a well-drawn goofiness that barks up just the right tree. Although Buster's "shyness" doesn't play as large a role here as the title might imply, these tales about the new dog at home will provide plenty of resonance for younger readers, not to mention younger siblings.
Review
Bechtold makes a sturdy debut with these three episodes in the life of a big dog with scrawny
self-esteem. Although he is intimidated by strangers and totally unable to catch thrown objects, Buster discovers that he's a good listener, a talent that comes in handy when there's an escaped
hamster to track down, a gang of nocturnal garbage-pail plunderers to catch in the act, or a lonely human to comfort. Slinking anxiously through airy, simply drawn scenes, the pop-eyed,
charcoal-colored pooch looks ready to bolt at the drop of a hat, and while he finds a measure of
courage at last in the company of his outgoing canine companion, Phoebe, readers will want to give him a reassuring hug. Scoot over, Mudge.
Review
Buster, a shy puppy, is intimidated in his new home. Phoebe, the older dog, is bold and bossy. How Buster comes out of his shell is disclosed in three chapters. In the first, Buster and a shy girl help each other at a birthday party; in the second, Buster's sharp hearing saves the day; and in the last vignette, Buster and Phoebe team up to scare off some garbage-eating raccoons. More substantial then some easy readers, this has an agreeable, relatable story and above-average cartoon-style artwork that features the particularly appealing Buster. A good choice for kids just past the easiest reader stage.
May 15, 1999 Booklist, ALA
In the first of these easy-to-read stories, Buster's bashfulness causes him to hide ("Most people met Buster by accident") during his master's birthday party until he meets a kindred spirit; in the second, Buster's "big sister" Phoebe, who's a whiz at fetching and catching, helps Buster find his own gift; in the last story, Phoebe and Buster put their talents together to catch the "Garbage Bandit". The digest-sized format of the book is pitched toward both picture-book and beginning-reader audiences, and the lively ink-and-watercolor illustrations have a well-drawn goofiness that barks up just the right tree. Although Buster's "shyness" doesn't play as large a role here as the title might imply, these tales about the new dog at home will provide plenty of resonance for younger readers, not to mention younger siblings.
Horn Book
Bechtold makes a sturdy debut with these three episodes in the life of a big dog with scrawny self-esteem. Although he is intimidated by strangers and totally unable to catch thrown objects, Buster discovers that he's a good listener, a talent that comes in handy when there's an escaped hamster to track down, a gang of nocturnal garbage-pail plunderers to catch in the act, or a lonely human to comfort. Slinking anxiously through airy, simply drawn scenes, the pop-eyed, charcoal-colored pooch looks ready to bolt at the drop of a hat, and while he finds a measure of courage at last in the company of his outgoing canine companion, Phoebe, readers will want to give him a reassuring hug. Scoot over, Mudge.
Kirkus Reviews
Review
"The dogs featured have very childlike characteristics, andand#160; youngsters will find much to identify with." and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
--Publisher's Weekly and#160; "These stories about a puppy searching for his strengths will bring smiles of recognition to and#160;the beginning- reader set .and#160; . . Bechtold's watercolor-and-ink illustrations are droll and plentiful. Children not quite ready for Cynthia Rylant's Henry and Mudge seriesand#160;appreciate the natural repetition of vocabulary and the brevity of text per page." and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;
--School Library Journal and#160; "An agreeable, relatable story and above-average cartoon-style artwork that features the particularly appealing Buster. A good choice for kids just past the easiest reader stage.
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; ---Booklist, ALA
"The digest-sized format of the book is pitched toward both picture-book and beginning-reader audiences, and the lively ink-and-watercolor illustrations have a well-drawn goofiness that barks up just the right tree." and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;--Horn Book
"Bechtold makes a sturdy debut with these. . .episodes in the life of a big dog with scrawny self-esteem. Although he is intimidated by strangers and totally unable to catch thrown objects, Buster discovers that he's a good listener, a talent that comes in handy when there's an escaped hamster to track down, a gang of nocturnal garbage-pail plunderers to catch in the act, or a lonely human to comfort. Slinking anxiously through airy, simply drawn scenes, the pop-eyed, charcoal-colored pooch looks ready to bolt at the drop of a hat, and while he finds a measure of courage at last in the company of his outgoing canine companion, Phoebe, readers will want to give him a reassuring hug. Scoot over, Mudge."
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; --Kirkus Reviews
Review
and#147;The author/illustrator of Buster: The Very Shy Dog exhibits her winning humor in this beginning chapter book. The comic watercolorand#150;andand#150;ink drawings tell a story of their own, with expressions and poses that are guaranteed to entertain.and#8221; School Library Journal
"...ink and watercolor illustrations are plentiful and engagingly varied in size to give each turn of the page a fresh start." Horn Book
Synopsis
Buster is not a small dog, but he feels like a small dog. He feels small at crowded birthday parties. He feels small when he tries to catch balls or chase wild animals. He especially feels small next to Phoebe, a bold dog who is an ace ballcatcher, popular at parties, and seemingly unafraid of anything. In these three stories Buster discovers his self-worth and self-confidence and makes friends along the way. Beginning readers will relate to Buster's fears and his successes and will relish in their very own triumph of completing a chapter book.
Synopsis
Buster is not a small dog, but he feels like a small dog. He feels small at crowded birthday parties. He feels small when he tries to catch balls or chase wild animals. He especially feels small next to Phoebe, a bold dog who is an ace ballcatcher, popular at parties, and seemingly unafraid of anything. In these three stories Buster discovers his self-worth and self-confidence and makes friends along the way. Beginning readers will relate to Buster's fears and his successes and will relish in their very own triumph of completing a chapter book.
Synopsis
In these three stories Buster discovers his self-worth and self-confidence and makes friends along the way. Beginning readers will relate to Busters fears and successes and will relish in their very own triumph of completing a chapter book.
Synopsis
Edna has the longest, most fantastically fluffy tail in the neighborhood. It is a sight to behold. Proud of her tail very proud of it Edna heads out to the neighborhood party to show it off to the new cat, who is rumored to have a fantastic tale himself. But as Edna heads off to the party, she gets a quivery feeling, as if someone is following her through the woods.
As a vain cat learns the true identity of the monster that chases her, she unexpectedly discovers friendship in her life. Beginning readers are sure to relish this fresh and funny picture book about how finding a good friend can save the day.
Synopsis
When Buster comes to live at Rogerand#8217;s house, he has much to learn about the world at large.
Thank goodness Phoebe is there to teach him. She will instruct him about puppy bones, about smart bones and marked bones. And bones that mysteriously disappear. But all on his own Buster will learn something much more important.
With lively and spontaneous drawings, this chapter book for beginning readers shows how a goodhearted and generous dog discovers one of the riches of lifeand#151;beyond bones.
About the Author
Lisze Bechtold lives in South Pasadena, California, with her three children, one husband, and three cats. The author of Buster: The Very Shy Dog and Edna's Tale, she says that the inspiration for the Buster stories comes from her many fond memories of living with the real Buster and Phoebe.