FICTION

Stinky Spike the Pirate Dog

by Peter MEISEL
illus. by Paul Meisel. 80p. Bloomsbury. Apr. 2016. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9781619637788; pap. $6.99. ISBN 9781619637795.
COPY ISBN
K-Gr 2—Father-and-son team Peter and Paul Meisel combine their talents in this "Read and Bloom" early chapter book. Readers set sail for a high seas adventure with a dog named Stinky Spike, the perfect matey. This three-chapter book tells the story of a shipyard dog who is cast away when he least expects it—he's blown out to sea in a bucket. Captain Fishbeard soon comes to his rescue but quickly puts Stinky Spike to work sniffing out treasure. The large text is appropriate for newly independent readers and is complemented by charming, full-color illustrations that provide a balanced layout. Hand this to fans of Doreen Cronin's "The Chicken Squad" series (S. & S., 2014).
VERDICT With funny characters and an engaging yet simple plotline, this will fly off the shelves.
Reviewed by Janene Corbin, Rosebank Elementary School, Nashville, TN
Spike, a shipyard dog who loves stinky smells, falls off the dock and gets pulled out to sea, where he meets sharks and a whale and then helps some pirates find treasure using his "super sniffer." The early chapter book, full of silliness and pirate-speak, has a nicely coherent story line. Charming full-color illustrations complement the large-font text on every page.
 , Sep 01, 2015

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