BOOK REVIEW: The Good Dog by Todd Kessler

BLURB:

Debunking Kid Lit’s Short Attention Span Myth, One Page at a Time…

NEW CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK FROM BLUE’S CLUES CREATOR

In the age of iPad games and thin, five-hundred word children’s picture books relying on clever concepts rather than character development and sustained narrative, The Good Dog is set to spark a revolution in publishing by returning to traditional storytelling for young children.

The Good Dog – the debut children’s book from Blue’s Clues creator Todd Kessler – relies on children’s innate desire to experience decision-making within the context of compelling adventure and relatable conflict. Puppy protagonist Tako is an orphaned dog who is adopted by Ricky Lee. Ricky’s parents explain to Tako that he can stay with the family if he’s a “good dog” and behaves in the Lee family’s new bakery. But when greedy Mr. Pritchard, a business competitor, decides to secretly sabotage the Lee Family business, Tako has to choose whether to follow the rules or break them in order to protect his family.

Over twice the length of today’s standard children’s picture book, The Good Dog debunks the myth that kids today have shorter attention spans, making this action packed, page-turning tale a vital and trend-setting contribution to the children’s publishing marketplace.

Illustrated with vibrant watercolors by #1 bestselling Ninja Bunny author-illustrator Jennifer Gray Olson, The Good Dog is set for arrival in bookstores across North America on October 26th, 2015. Like Kessler’s Blue’s Clues, The Good Dog garnered nearly one hundred percent attention in test readings with children ranging in ages from 3 to 10. This story of friendship, integrity, and courage is certain to become a family favorite in any household. The Good Dog has also been praised by educators as an ideal text for guided and independent classroom reading and for presenting complex themes which spark rich classroom discussion.

The Good Dog – and the second book of the series, The Good Dog and the Bad Cat(Spring 2016) – are with Coralstone Press, the new Independent Publishers Group [IPG] children’s book imprint. Both books empower kids to be heroes in their own lives, follow their instincts, and know that “sometimes you have to be a little bit bad to be very good.”

REVIEW BY: Angelina, age 9 years

MAY CONTAIN SPOILER:

This book was very good! It was about an dog and a boy and how they have a bakery but a man doesn't like them! The guy tried to sabotage their bakery so nobody would go there anymore. 

My favorite character is the dog because I love dogs! I also loved the pictures in this book. They were very pretty and I think they will get little kid's attention! 

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 4 to 8. 

This book was published on October 26, 2015.