Synopses & Reviews
A very small watchdog proves that size isnt everything—even when youre up against a big bad robber.Bertie is a rather unusual watchdog. Thats because Bertie is, well, about the size of a watch. So when a horrible robber breaks in, tiny Bertie is put to the test! Bertie nips the robber on the leg, chases him around the sofa, and challenges him to a barking contest. But will Bertie succeed in scaring the robber away?
Heres a silly story brimming with kid appeal, complete with slapstick chases, comically mismatched adversaries, and a well-deserved triumph by an indefatigable underdog. Combining the fun of comics and a full-size picture book, here is a refreshing new format offering a punch line on every page.
About the Author
Rick Walton is the author of numerous books for children, including HOW MANY, HOW MANY, HOW MANY, illustrated by Cynthia Jabar; and two books in Candlewicks Really, Really Bad Jokes series. About BERTIE WAS A WATCHDOG he says, "I like stories where things are not as they seem. A watchdog is usually big and mean. I thought it would be fun to write a story about a watchdog who you discover is not big and mean - who protects not with his bark and his bite, but with his brain."
Arthur Robins has illustrated such books as WHAT USE IS A MOOSE? by Martin Waddell and has also displayed his inimitable humor in the Giggle Club title THE TEENY TINY WOMAN. Arthur Robins says that his biggest challenge in illustrating Bertie Was a Watchdog was to come up with the right-sized dog. As he explains, "My editor said, ‘Draw Bertie smaller. No, smaller - smaller than that. Smaller still. . . . Good, now, where is he?"