From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2–The frisky pup from
Naptime for Slippers (2005) and
Slippers at Home (2004, both Dutton) wants to go to school with his young owner. An open backpack presents an irresistible opportunity. Laura doesn't notice when a wet black nose, then a pair of shiny eyes, and then one brown ear appear, but her classmates do. A boy excitedly points to A dog! but Laura thinks he is referring to her artwork. The children turn to look, but there was nothing to see. Slippers was gone. When the cook shouts A dog! in the cafeteria, everyone thinks she means a hot dog. The mischievous pooch also gets curious looks in the gym and principal's office before returning to Laura's backpack. Bynum's watercolor cartoons depict a familiar classroom setting and add humor to the pup's secret adventures. Children will enjoy the funny misunderstandings, and the simple text is well suited to emergent readers.
–Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From Booklist
PreS-Gr. 2. Ever since Mary's little lamb, pets have been following kids to school--at least in books. But compliments to Clements for giving this old chestnut some new life. Here, the pet is a dog, brown-footed Slippers, which artist Bynum makes look like the cutest of cute stuffed animals. One morning Slippers knows something is up. It turns out to be the first day of school, and, putting on her backpack, Laura is off for a noisy, bumpy bus ride. Once there, she puts her backpack in her cubby, and without her seeing, Slippers crawls out and sneaks into class. Here's where Clements gives the text a twist; people keep seeing the dog, but the person they tell always misunderstands. For instance, a classmate tells Laura that he sees a dog, and she holds up the picture of Slippers that she has been drawing. And so on throughout the school day, prompting giggles from young listeners. The ink-and-watercolor pictures play to the humor, as when the proud puppy watches as confusion reigns in the cafeteria over the dog and a hot dog. A satisfying escapade. REVWR
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
