by Alex T Smith (Author) Alex T Smith (Illustrator)
Claude is no ordinary dog - he leads an extraordinary life!
Claude and his best friend, Sir Bobblysock (who is both a sock and very bobbly), pack their bags and go on vacation to the beach. They rescue a man from a shark, win a sandcastle-building competition, and hunt for pirate treasure. Of course, they make it back home just before Mr. and Mrs. Shinyshoes come home from work.
Quirky, delightfully odd, and positively surreal, Alex T. Smith's illustrated early chapter book series promises giggle-filled bedtime reading and a laugh-out-loud option for readers transitioning from picture books to chapter books.
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K-Gr 2—Claude is a stylish dog who tucks handy supplies under his beret and goes on adventures with his animated sock friend, Sir Bobblysock. He decides he needs a vacation, so he packs a suitcase with useful items (whipping cream, lampshade, slightly squished sandwiches) and heads to the beach. He and Sir Bobblysock rescue a swimmer from a shark, win a sand castle contest, and team up with pirates to search for treasure. Just as rival pirate Naughty Nora appears and the situation looks dire, the contents of Claude's suitcase provide an unexpected solution. At first glance, the book looks like a beginning reader with its limited color palette, illustrations in the style of Mr. Peabody and Sherman, and repetitive cadence ("Claude is a dog. Claude is a small dog. Claude is a small, plump dog"). However, vocabulary like "baguette" and "skedaddled" and Claude's attempt to order ice cream in French ("Excusez-moi, 'ave you une glace a flavor of juicy bone?") make the book more advanced that it would seem at first. A fun choice for children who enjoy absurdist humor, but probably best as a read-aloud.—Suzanne Myers Harold, formerly at Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR
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