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32 pp.
| Orca
| October, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55469-032-9$19.95
(4)
K-3
In Pierre Le Poof's third adventure, the golden-haired poodle flies to Paris with his owner, Miss Murphy, for a poodle show. In watercolor and pencil-crayon illustrations we see the intrepid canine escape his hotel, climb the Eiffel Tower, and parachute to safety after grabbing an errant umbrella. The slim but entertaining tale ends with an Australia trip in the offing.
32 pp.
| Orca
| October, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55469-030-5$19.95
(3)
K-3
This second (and superior) book in the Pierre Le Poof! series finds the pampered poodle longing for his old friends. After he sneaks off to find them, a dog who lives under a bridge gets him thinking about someone else's problems. The economical storytelling and calm illustrations of city dogs with adult owners are satisfying.
32 pp.
| Orca
| April, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55469-143-2$19.95
(3)
PS
Elliot Moose's latest adventure offers a gentle message about fair play. Stuffed animals Elliot, Socks, Paisley, and Amy are playing firefighters. Teddy bears Puff and Snowy, "too little" for the game, disappointedly agree to be rescued. When a real accident leaves the four principals in trouble, the little cubs save the day. Beck's soft and fluffy illustrations temper the story's drama.
32 pp.
| Orca
| October, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-1-55469-028-2$19.95
(4)
K-3
Pierre wants to flee his pampered yet pressured life (his owner has him training for a poodle championship) and join the devil-may-care dogs in the park. The tale's plot and denouement (he realizes how good he has it) have the whiff of the familiar, but Beck's well-paced storytelling and thoughtfully executed illustrations will be pleasing to pup lovers.
32 pp.
| Kids Can
| October, 2003
|
TradeISBN 1-55337-474-6$$12.95
|
PaperISBN 1-55337-661-7$$5.95
(3)
K-3
When he receives a big box before Christmas, Elliot the moose believes it's an early present from Santa. He's downcast to discover the box, an empty one at that, comes from a friend instead, but he quickly realizes it's a fine gift. With a fairly light touch, Beck delivers her message about giving and receiving. Her stuffed animal world comes alive in the illustrations.
32 pp.
| Kids Can
| October, 2002
|
TradeISBN 1-55337-011-2$$12.95
(4)
PS
Elliot the moose and his friends worry about the noises they hear at night until Beaverton explains that the whirring, whooshing, and banging come from the refrigerator, furnace, and the shutters. Although the story line is somewhat predictable, the detailed, clear illustrations help make the stuffed toys seem real.
32 pp.
| Kids Can
| March, 2001
|
TradeISBN 1-55074-802-5$$12.95
(4)
K-3
When Elliot the stuffed moose and his friend Socks take a bath, they become so waterlogged they can't move. Helped by their fellow stuffed animals, they manage to get dried out in time for "the big talent show." Despite a small break in the story's flow, it's enjoyable to watch as these friends, depicted in careful detail in the illustrations, solve their problem together.
32 pp.
| Kids Can
| September, 2001
|
TradeISBN 1-55074-806-8$$12.95
(3)
PS
Elliot, a toy moose, finds a map with a big X on it, and he and his stuffed animal pals dig for buried treasure. After digging themselves in deep, the gang learn that the map is a garden map, and the X marks the spot where their friend Lionel will plant a tree. Now they have to figure out how to get out of the hole and how to explain themselves to Lionel. The crisp, detailed drawings capture the gentle humor of the situation.
32 pp.
| Kids Can
| September, 2000
|
TradeISBN 1-55074-698-7$$12.95
(4)
K-3
Elliot, a toy moose, and Socks, a toy monkey, build a boat, but it sinks. Elliot and Socks are rescued by their friend Amy, another stuffed animal. As a result of their adventure, the toy animals learn predictable lessons about sharing, helping, and friendship. The crisp illustrations clearly demonstrate the animals' changing feelings.
32 pp.
| Kids Can
| September, 1999
|
TradeISBN 1-55074-443-7$$12.95
(4)
K-3
Elliot the toy moose recruits his pals to bake a birthday cake, but they find the directions, such as "separate the eggs," a bit confusing. When the cake burns, the persistent animals find a way to make it beautiful. The human-sized kitchen and the textures of the stuffed animals add interest to the illustrations. Beck includes a complete recipe at the end but--oddly--doesn't explain the cooking terms.