A Tale of Two Dogs - Hardcover

Author Steven Kroll is the author of more than eighty popular children’s books, including The Biggest Pumpkin Ever and That Makes Me Mad! He lives with his wife, Kathleen Beckett, in an apartment in New York City that would be just the right size for a dog if the two of them didn’t travel so much.

Illustrator Mike Reed has received awards from the Society of Illustrators, Studio Arts Magazine, and the American Institute of Graphic Arts. His illustrations can be found in two recent children’s books, Chill in the Air and Shake D’em Halloween Bones. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Kindergarten-Grade 2–Morgan is the kind of dog that children adore and parents grow weary of very quickly–a fluffy, playful, slobbery pup that sleeps on the bed and chews Mom's pink slippers. After one too many disasters and disruptions, Mr. Morrison has had enough and, in spite of his children's tears, declares that the animal must go. He returns from the pound with a sweet, shorthaired, not-so-cuddly beagle that sleeps all day. Here the contrived plot takes its predictable turn, as the Morrisons get a call from Morgan's new family, the Ramirezes, saying he's depressed; and by the way, they sure miss their old beagle, Peanuts. By happenstance, they've adopted one another's pet. Thus, each dog returns to its proper family, and all is well with the world. The bright, cheerful, wonderfully expressive illustrations are the best thing about this book. The computer-generated spreads have richly hued, textured surfaces and the humorous tableaux bounce with activity. Facial expressions (both human and canine) are priceless, in particular those that belong to an increasingly exasperated Mr. Morrison.–Teri Markson, Stephen S. Wise Temple Elementary School, Los Angeles
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