Reading with the Little One: "Hound from the Pound" by Jessica Swaim and Jill McElmurry
by Jenners • 05/06/2010 • Children's Books • 22 Comments
It has been awhile since I wrote about a book the Little One and I got really excited about (probably because we’ve been alternating between Star Wars books, Dr. Seuss books and life cycles of various animal books). But on our recent library run, we found a book that really excited both of us so I wanted to share it with you.
The Hound from the PoundWritten by Jessica Swaim
with illustrations by Jill McElmurry
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Candlewick (August 28, 2007)
ISBN: 978-0763623302
So many books have either great writing but so-so illustrations or great illustrations but so-so writing. But The Hound from the Pound has both. I love when an author can pull off an entire book in rhyme that is easy to read, makes sense and doesn’t feel forced. Jessica Swaim does that brilliantly … and with a sense of whimsy that will make you smile.
Then, accompanying the wonderful writing are vibrant, fun illustrations by Jill McElmurry. The illustrations pull you right in and are the perfect accompaniment — and sometimes enhancement — to the text. And I loved the funky look she gave Mary, our heroine who ends up being overrun by dogs. Check out her cool all-black clothing, sandals and painted toenails!
So let’s take more of look at the book, shall we?
Mary is a bit lonely so she adopts Blue from the pound.But Blue turns out to be the ONLY dog not properly trained…
and he is able to call his buddies from the pound to his new home
with a very loud AH-ROOoooo!
Here is one example of the writing in the book:
The panters,
the pointers,
the givers of licks,
the newspaper getters,
the fetchers of sticks,
the mischievous, marvelous mutts
from the pound
burst from their cages
and followed the sound.
The page with the arrival of: a dachshund with eight wienerettes–
two dainty daughters and six sturdy sons,
with wiener-dog faces and wiener-dog buns
was our favorite page as my mom has a dachshund.
(Probably the silliest looking dog ever … and the most high-strung.
But maybe that is just my mom’s dog.)
Thank goodness for Mary that Sam, the canine trainer from the pound, comes to Mary’s rescue and helps her to train all her new pets. The Little One LOVED this page!
SPOILER ALERT! In the end, Mary and Sam fall in love and get married.
This was my favorite page.
Check out her poodle wedding gown.
And the minister reads from the Book of Dalmatian!
This was a delightfully fun book to read and to look at. I would highly recommend it for any child — whether you like dogs or not! ; )
To find out what other bloggers are saying about the book discussed in this post, visit the Book Blogs Search Engine.
Too cute! Thanks for sharing so many pages
Well, my children are far too old for this book — but my love of dogs makes this a must-read for me
what an adorable book!!! i miss reading to little ones! can i borrow yours for a little while so i can read out loud too?!? and share in some of those fantastic books???
How darn cute does this one sound? I think I see a stocking present for my niece or nephews for Christmas!
Jenners, what a cute book – the writing, the rhyming, the doggies galore, what can I say but please give me more.
My son is now grown – for himself he now cooks – perhaps I'll have more so I can read children's books!
My husband won't like that, he'll say he's too old. He'll say 'read to your dogs who are like babies you hold.'
But you gave the ending away!! How can I read it now??
Kate and I are in a book rut! Thank you so much for sharing this. I am getting it on our next library visit. It is on the list. Kate loves puppies. I love rhyme. So, we should LOVE this book. Thanks again.
This sounds adorable. I was just looking at children's books and saw Christian the Hugging Lion, based on the adult non fiction which I love. Very cute.
this sounds delightful.
Oh … I totally love the illustrations on this one! You know, it's strange that I rarely follow illustrators even though I'm somewhat specific about what I enjoy. I need to start paying attention!
What a delightful book! I love the illustrations and the words are such fun to read aloud. It reminds me very much the Hairy McClary stories.
Hi, so i started blogging in December and I have so many passions it's ridiculous- so I couldn't come up with a name, I love books, sushi, cooking, gardens, crafts and more.. I finally found some reading women who read fiction today and you were one of them, I love your blog and the book the hound from the pound I must fine it looks so cute, I am not working right now, so I have time to blog and read but my 4 year old is home with me till school starts, I want to do a book challenge on my blog and I also wanted to know if you could recommend one that is going on now. I heard today aobut the what's on your nightstand one the 4th tuesday of each month so I will do that- I just joined booksneeze to review books for free. I would like to talk
http://nf1andpre-kwhisper.blogspot.com
This looks wonderful. I need to think of a little one who I can buy this for.
I can't stand it! This is so darned cute! And it's the type of thing my kids would have just loved. My in-laws have a weiner and he is a piece of work. I love the muddy paw prints everywhere, God bless 'em.
Hound from the Pound looks wonderful!
Thanks for sharing!
http://www.herebedragons.posterous.com
What a fun book!!! I love dogs and even have one named "Blue".
Makes me wish I had someone age appropriate to buy this for. My granddaughter is 8, but would probably consider herself too old for this.
I love this series of posts even though we don't have any small children in the family/amongst friends. This sounds like a really special read and what beautiful illustrations.
Well, make my day!
How lovely that you took such time and care to review my book and even included samples of Jill's fabulous art!
My love to you and the little one.
AH-ROOooo!
Jessica Swaim
I'll have to see if our library carries this book. I have a boy in kindergarten and I'm sure he would love it.
I'm always looking for new books to buy my niece. This one sounds great. Thanks for the review.
This one sounds so great! Thanks for the review as it is new to me.
I don't have a little one to share books with, but I still want this one. I love the illustrations and the storyline sounds great!