CM Magazine: Pup and Hound Hatch an Egg. (Kids Can Read).

________________ CM . . . . Volume XIII Number 12 . . . . February 2, 2007

cover
Pup and Hound Hatch an Egg. (Kids Can Read).

Susan Hood. Illustrated by Linda Hendry.
Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press, 2007.
32 pp., pbk. & cl., $5.95 (pbk.), $14.95 (cl.).
ISBN 978-1-55337-975-1 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-55337-974-4 (cl.).

Subject Heading:
Dogs-Juvenile fiction.

Preschool-grade 1 / Ages 3-6.

Review by Shannon Ozirny.

**** /4

It is spring time on the farm, and in Pup and Hound Hatch an Egg, the canine duo are caught up in the excitement of births and babies:

That spring, more babies

were born each week.

Baby songs rang out:

"Mew!"

"Baa!"

"Peep!"

"Squeak!"

Pup is especially delighted by the events on the farmyard but is dismayed to learn that the newborns are not ready to play. Luckily, Pup stumbles across an egg to care for, and with Hound's help, raises the surprise creature that eventually hatches.

     Pup and Hound Hatch An Egg maintains the simple rhyming scheme of the other books in the series, with a slight twist - many of the rhymes carry on over two pages, which is a refreshing change. Also, Susan Hood incorporates plenty of animal sounds in her writing, something which will surely delight younger readers. The rhyming language in this book, though consistent, is neither overbearing or annoying. In other words, parents should be able to read this text aloud over and over without getting a headache.

     Linda Hendry has once again succeeded with her lively, expressive illustrations. Hendry's artwork has a sense of action and movement that is almost unparalleled for a leveled book. When Pup and Hound chase their precious egg down a steep hill, the illustrations wonderfully reflect the out-of-control pursuit. Hendry also employs surprising perspectives in her artwork that add variety to the sparse text. Readers get to see the inside of Mother Hen's well-guarded chicken coop, as well as a touching close-up of the mysterious baby after it breaks free from its egg. Truly, Hendry's illustrations are so clear and detailed that this book can be enjoyed by very young, preliterate children.

     When Pup and Hound's egg finally hatches, they are delighted to find a baby turtle inside, and the duo turns into a trio:

They watched him and worried

as good parents do.

Now where Pup and Hound go,

Turtle goes, too!

While Pup and Hound are obviously the stars of the series, hopefully Turtle will appear again in later books; some bits of continuity would most likely be embraced by avid followers of the series. While the books are certainly not meant to be read in succession, brief reappearances by old friends could certainly add to the successful “Pup and Hound” collection.

Highly Recommended.

Shannon Ozirny is a student in the Master of Arts in Children's Literature Program at the University of British Columbia.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364 Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

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