Widget & the Puppy
PreSchool-Grade 2–In this irresistible sequel toWidget(Farrar, 2001), the winsome terrier and "the girls" (the six cats that also live with Mrs. Diggs) are back for another adventure. Widget is comfortably ensconced in his new home and all is well until a lost puppy arrives on their doorstep. When he is charged with "watching" the newcomer while Mrs. Diggs searches for his owner, the cats–and readers–soon discover that Widget is not a very good pet-sitter. He watches the puppy all right: he watches him get into all sorts of trouble. In fact, Widget is so exhausted by his efforts that he soon falls asleep and loses track of his charge. However, thanks to the vigilance of the girls, he discovers the hapless pooch stuck in a groundhog's hole. He digs him out just as Mrs. Diggs returns with the puppy's owner and lots of praise for Widget, much to the disgust of the cats. The wry text and lively illustrations pack in so much humor that listeners will be giggling at every page. The charming puppy wriggles and bounces with endless energy; at times, he's no more than a waggling tail and a big pair of eyes. Widget's reactions play perfectly off this tornado of activity, with the female felines watching–their expressions telling all–from the sidelines. The combination of action and comedy makes this a perfect choice for storytime.–Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NYCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.