Categories
Agatha Christie-Related Anthologies Books & Novels Mystery & Suspense

THE WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION AND OTHER STORIES

Written by Agatha Christie

SUMMARY:

Initially printed in 1948 by a different publisher, this 230-page Berkley Books paperback reprint was released in 1984.  Concluding with an obscure Hercule Poirot tale (it’s a thinly veiled precursor to the better-known Dead Man’s Mirror), these eleven British crime capers date as far back as 1924. 

Specifically, they are:

  • The Witness for the Prosecution:”: A defense attorney senses a grim fate for his client, Leonard Vole, after he is accused of an elderly woman’s brutal homicide.  Could Vole’s own wife effectively seal his death sentence?
  • “The Red Signal”: Dermot West secretly loves his best friend’s wife.  After a séance, West is subsequently incriminated as the prime suspect in his skeptical uncle’s murder.
  • “The Fourth Man:” Aboard a late-night commuter train, four strangers gossip over a tragic high-profile case re: a dead woman, who evidently suffered from a dual personality complex.
  • “S.O.S:” Stranded commuter Mortimer Cleveland senses a desperate plea for help by someone residing at the secluded home that has taken him in for the night. 
  • “Where There’s a Will:” An elderly woman believes her late husband’s ghost is summoning her through a newfangled radio purchased by her doting nephew. 
  • “The Mystery of the Blue Jar:” Amateur golfer Jack Hartington hears a mysterious cry for help while getting in some early morning practice before work.  As this eerie cry persists in haunting him, Jack seeks insight from a knowledgeable new friend.
  • “Sing a Song of Sixpence:” Retired criminal defense attorney Sir Edward Palliser is called upon to honor a long-forgotten promise stemming from a brief sexual tryst years before.  Hence, his courtroom experience may unravel a robbery-homicide impacting his pro bono client’s family.
  • “The Mystery of the Spanish Shawl:” Mystery author Anthony Eastwood is drawn by mistaken identity into real-life turmoil, or is his wild predicament all what it seems?
  • “Philomel Cottage:” A possible love triangle complicates newlywed Alix Martin’s dark suspicions of her new husband, Gerald.  Worse yet, what might Gerald do should his enigmatic past ever come to light? 
  • “Accident:” A retired cop suspects his neighbor’s wife is a ‘black widow’ serial killer.
  • “The Second Gong:” Belgian private detective Hercule Poirot steps in to decipher an eccentric millionaire’s apparent suicide prior to hosting his nightly dinner party.

Notes: Highlighted in red are those stories with known film and/or television adaptations (i.e. TV’s “The Agatha Christie Hour” in the early 1980’s).  Re: “The Second Gong,” David Suchet’s Poirot TV series incorporates some of that story’s elements into its production of “Dead Man’s Mirror.”   

REVIEW:

Considering that Agatha Christie pioneered so many of the mystery genre’s best twists nearly a century ago, these eleven tales were innovative for their time.  Yet, it’s no wonder why this collection is déjà vu by 21st Century expectations.  While the title story is synonymous with Christie’s best-known works, one may wonder if its notoriety rests solely with a shock value ending.  Despite an ingenious premise, “The Witness for the Prosecution,” otherwise, is a middling read.  Thematically, deception mixed with murder and/or attempted theft also permeate the other humorless stories. 

“Sing a Song of Sixpence” is a prime example.  This forgettable trifle is hampered by weak plot contrivances, including an ultra-convenient last-minute clue.  More so, the sexist dismissal of an icky past fling won’t likely endear a dignified 70-year-old Edward Palliser (it’s easy to visualize either Ian Richardson or Christopher Plummer playing the role) to contemporary readers. 

Unlike the weakly predictable “Red Signal,” at least “The Mystery of the Blue Jar” and “The Mystery of the Spanish Shawl” embellish their meandering plots with some well-played twists.  The same might have applied to “The Fourth Man,” had its morose storyline not been practically unreadable.  Exploring these grim tales, there isn’t any glimpse of Christie’s reliable wit for welcome comedic relief.

Still, “S.O.S.” and “Accident” are solid under-the-radar reads, as is “Philomel Cottage.”  Due to its down-to-earth subject matter, “Philomel Cottage” probably ages best for this sinister collection.  All three stories probably deserve film adaptations, along with the eerily familiar “Where There’s a Will.”  “Will” is an instance where imitators have siphoned off its sci-fi premise, but Christie does it best with an appropriately ironic finale.  This ghost story, suffice to say, is worthy of The Outer Limits or The Twilight Zone.  The Alfred Hitchcock Hour would be ideal, too.       

Readers will regrettably find that “The Second Gong” isn’t a long-lost Poirot gem.  In reality, it’s an inferior earlier draft of “Dead Man’s Mirror.” For instance, Poirot’s suspects merely describe the deceased’s quirky personality vs. readers actually witnessing a pompous Herbert Lytcham Roche in action first.  As compared to “Dead Man’s Mirror” and another similar Poirot tale, “The Dream,” it’s apparent that “Second Gong” is inferior to them. 

Aside from contriving Poirot on to the crime scene, “Gong” would have benefitted from the spice of enabling a savvy household guest (say, the millionaire’s female ward?) to play amateur sleuth — thus removing Poirot altogether. In a merely adequate read, Poirot’s ‘little grey cells’ resolve the locked room “Gong” almost too easily. 

Note: An example of Christie removing Poirot from a story and then successfully recycling it would be how Poirot’s “Yellow Iris” transforms into the novel Sparkling Cyanide.

Among her short story collections, The Witness for The Prosecution and Other Stories is a middle-of-the-road proposition.  What helps alleviate this book’s unremarkable aura is revisiting it once every several years.  That way, these lesser-known mysteries will seem fresher than they really are.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

None.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        6 Stars

Categories
Agatha Christie-Related Books & Novels Mystery & Suspense

AMD THEN THERE WERE NONE

Written by Agatha Christie

SUMMARY:

Originally published in 1939, this 247-page softcover edition was released by publishing imprint William Morrow (through HarperCollins) in 2011. 

Ostensibly invited for a weekend house party on secluded Soldier Island off the Devon coast, eight British strangers are lured there under varying false pretenses.  The guests are: alcoholic Dr. Edward Armstrong; elderly General John MacArthur; chilly spinster Emily Brent; tortoise-like Justice Lawrence Wargrave; roguish mercenary Captain Philip Lombard; demure secretary Vera Claythorne; undercover ex-cop William Henry Blore; and obnoxious stud Anthony Marston.  Joining them at the island’s mansion is a low-key servant couple, Thomas and Ethel Rogers.  The nursery rhyme, “Ten Little Soldiers,” is viewed with mild amusement as the manor’s omnipresent theme.    

After dinner, an ominous recording from their absent host, ‘U.N. Owen,’ accuses his guests of ghastly crimes that had evidently eluded justice.  Friday night frivolities instantly cease.  Inside of twelve hours, two corresponding toy soldiers from a dining table decoration vanish. 

Horrific reality sets in that an enigmatic predator is stalking the marooned captives; each one is systemically killed, in accordance with the rhyme’s suggestive lyrics.  With a violent storm bearing down, will anyone survive the death trap of Soldier Island?

Note: The novel’s U.S. title was previously Ten Little Indians, though the term ‘soldiers’ is substituted for ‘Indians’ in the storyline.    

REVIEW:

Despite its contrivances (i.e. the omniscient culprit), Christie’s bleak novel remains a masterpiece long after this premise practically spawned its own suspense genre.  In large part, the plot’s brilliance is attributable to Christie plausibly conveying distinct personalities without resorting to caricatures.  Without a super-detective like Poirot, Marple, or even Inspector Battle on hand, Christie’s unlikable captives are imbued with everyday reality that spell out increasingly desperate shades of human nature.

Unlike its sanitized film and stage adaptations, this novel’s intensity ranks among Christie’s darkest material, with Endless Night and Crooked House completing that Top Three.  For fans of vintage murder-mysteries that don’t resort to cheap cop-outs, And Then There Were None is truly a ‘dark-and-stormy night’ experience.  As a high-quality softcover book, this particular reprint is definitely recommended!  

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

Quoted from her autobiography, Christie provides a brief note.  The publisher also includes Christie’s mini-biography.  Again inserting the less-offensive term of “soldier,” poet Frank Green’s notorious 1869 ‘nursery’ rhyme is reprinted.      

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      10 Stars

Note: Of its numerous film and TV adaptations, arguably its best comes first. Starring Barry Fitzgerald and Walter Huston, the same-named 1945 film (based on Christie’s less-intense play) is top-caliber black-and-white entertainment. Otherwise, the most faithful renditions belong to a 1980’s Russian adaptation and the recent BBC mini-series.

Categories
Anthologies Books & Novels Mystery & Suspense

THE MYSTERIOUS WEST

Edited by Tony Hillerman

SUMMARY:

First compiled in 1994 as a hardcover, HarperTorch Publishers subsequently released this 451-page paperback edition in 2003.  In this short story anthology, mystery novelist Tony Hillerman introduces twenty tales (each by a different author) all set somewhere in the present-day American West. 

Not all of these stories (all copywritten for 1994) are murder-mysteries – some sleuths take a break from an ongoing series — others are grim dramas – and some don’t really fall into a particular genre.  As one can imagine, it’s the locales that supply the enigmatic backdrop.  The stories are:  

  • “Forbidden Things” by Marcia Muller: Leaving Los Angeles for a fresh start, young Ashley Heikkinen is eerily drawn to a sleepy little town on California’s northern coast called Camel Rock.   
  • “New Moon and Rattlesnakes” by Wendy Hornsby: A woman named Lise cunningly hitch-hikes and thieves her way out of Arizona on a desert road trip towards a vengeful destiny outside Palm Springs.   
  • “Coyote Peyote” by Carole Nelson Douglas: Starring ‘Midnight Louie,’ the cruel poisonings of several coyotes sends the feline sleuth to infiltrate an upscale housing development outside Las Vegas. 
  • “Nooses Give” by Dana Stabenow: In remote Alaska, reclusive Aleutian sleuth Kate Shugnak tracks down an unrepentant bootlegger after the double murder-suicide of three local teenagers.    
  • “Who Killed Cock Rogers?” by Bill Crider: In a small Texas cattle town, rising animosity aimed towards a local radio personality leads to murder. 
  • “Caring for Uncle Henry” by Robert Campbell: Already coping with dementia, elderly widower Henry Ridder finds himself saddled with two greedy relatives that he would have preferred remain long-lost heirs.   
  • “Death of a Snowbird” by J.A. Jance: Retired blue-collar couple Agnes and Oscar are at odds over a Native American relic he stumbles upon in the desert outside Tombstone, Arizona.   
  • “With Flowers in Her Hair” by M.D. Lake: Forty-something Kate Austin spends a post-Christmas vacation visiting family in Minnesota, only to increasingly ponder the cryptic death of a teenage friend decades before. 
  • “The Lost Boys” by William J. Reynolds: For a bereaved client, a private eye travels to South Dakota to question the long-estranged ex-husband re: two missing teenage sons.   
  • “Tule Fog” by Karen Kijewski: Sacramento private detective Kat Colorado helps a family friend at a Bakersfield farm unravel odd recurring flashbacks re: an incident from childhood.    
  • “The River Mouth” by Liz Matera: On a secluded hike off Oregon’s Klamath River, a couple’s private talk is interrupted by a strange interloper.   
  • “No Better Than Her Father” by Linda Grant: In Southeastern Colorado, seasoned forty-something journalist AJ Thomas and her cagey father are threatened re: a mysterious crate he acquired at auction.   
  • “Dust Devil” by Rex Burns: Boulder, Colorado private eye “Snake” Garrick looks into a shady horse sale.    
  • “A Woman’s Place” by D.R. Meredith: A small Texas town’s first-ever female Justice of the Peace, Elizabeth Walker, investigates a county employee’s peculiar death.   
  • “Postage Due” by Susan Dunlap: Police negotiator Jill Smith contends with both a self-righteous troublemaker holding the Berkeley, CA post office hostage and a pompous Acting Postmaster. 
  • “The Beast in the Woods” by Ed Gorman: The mentally-handicapped adult son of a distraught Iowa farmer becomes involved in a darkly tragic series of events rapidly spiraling out of control.  
  • “Blowout in Little Man Flats” by Stuart M. Kamisky: In rural New Mexico, a skeptical sheriff must protect his prime suspect in a triple-homicide from suffering local mob justice. 
  • “Small Town Murder” by Harold Adams: Two part-time sleuths discreetly look into the suspicious Midwestern death of a small-town lawyer. 
  • “Bingo” by John Lutz: Living in a Phoenix retirement community, Harry & Gretta Archambault’s mundane existence is disrupted by Harry’s small-time yet increasingly brazen fraud schemes.   
  • “Engines” by Bill Pronzini: Fate and attempted suicide bring together two strangers deep within Death Valley. 

REVIEW:

Reminiscent of the Malice Domestic anthology series, this well-written collection’s niche works best as a sporadic read: i.e. bedtime, road trips, etc.  A few tales, such as “Nooses Give;” “Tule Fog;” and, surprisingly, the manure-themed “Who Killed Cock Rogers?” might deserve multiple looks.  However, the bulk of these stories are one-and-done reads where only the scenic details leave lasting impressions.

Still, none are flat-out duds — the slice-of life “Bingo” comes closest, as its mundane plot opts for an oddly pointless finish.  The runner-up is “New Moon and Rattlesnakes,” as no likable characters (aside from a loyal dog) are to be found on this premise.  Most of these tales pursue reasonably satisfying arcs, but only “Coyote Peyote” and, to some degree, “Engines” resort to disappointingly icky twists that savvy readers will likely sense coming. 

Ultimately, The Mysterious West is an intriguing adult read (in terms of sample stories re: Kate Shugnak, “Snake” Garrick, ‘Midnight Louie,’ and Kat Colorado), but it isn’t necessarily a long-term keeper.    

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

Hillerman thoughtfully introduces each tale, commenting on the author, his/her prior work, and/or the story’s theme.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:        7 Stars

Categories
Books & Novels Reference & Science

ATTACK OF THE FACTOIDS: UNCLE JOHN’S WORLD OF TRIVIA

Written by Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader’ Institute Staff

SUMMARY:

Published in 2014 by Portable Press, this 403-page softcover edition is a variant of the long-running Bathroom Reader series.  With far fewer digest-style articles, there is a far stronger emphasis on trivia and quotes this time.  The various topics are divided into familiar Bathroom Reader categories.  Still, multiple articles (i.e. the origin of the abandoned Comic Book Code; and Russia’s female fighter pilots of World War II known as “The Night Witches”) offer some insightful reading.    

REVIEW:

Think of it as a teens-and-up digest read.  Still, the tale re: “The Night Witches,”  for instance, is well worth perusing.  Even if this book isn’t an absolute keeper, it could serve as an ideal white elephant gift for trivia aficionados.       

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

There is both a table of contents and a helpful index.  The authors also include a thank-you page.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                               6½ Stars

Categories
Books & Novels DC-Related MARVEL-Related Reference & Science

SCIENCE OF SUPER-HEROES

Written by Lois Gresh & Robert Weinberg

SUMMARY:

Published John Wiley & Sons, Inc. in 2002, this 200-page hardcover explores the general physics and scientific reality behind the super-powers for Spider-Man; Superman; Batman; the X-Men; and several others.  Playing along with acknowledged comic book explanations for their super-powers, co-authors Lois Gresh and Robert Weinberg put these dubious origins under a critical microscope.  In Superman’s case, the authors spell out why his powers don’t make sense, and how the Man of Steel is really a fantasy based on ‘pseudo-science.’  Following a preface and a brief review on frequently-discussed concepts, such relativity and the speed-of-light, the authors designate certain heroes to specific topics:

  • Re: Superman – The section discusses the supposed quasi-science justifying Superman’s vast powers; the possibility of alien visitors reaching Earth, including a history of ‘The Drake Equation;’ the possibility of Earth-like worlds; and why neither gravity nor a yellow sun could generate Superman’s powers.
  • Re: The Fantastic Four and the Incredible Hulk – It’s explained how cosmic rays, gamma rays, and nuclear radiation would actually ravage human beings.  Included is a section describing how a ‘GFP Hulk” might hypothetically exist.
  • Re: Batman – The technological realities of his utility belt is analyzed, as is a well-known storyline from his comic book series: the Gotham City Earthquake.
  • Re: Aquaman & Sub-Mariner – This section primarily examines the possibility of humans living underwater and aquatic communication.
  • Re: Spider-Man – His supposedly spider-like powers are analyzed, as is the scientific possibility of cloning humans.
  • Re: Green Lantern – Potential sources for his power ring are examined, including black holes and white holes.  It’s also revealed why yellow light really isn’t a logical reason for neutralizing his power ring.
  • Re: the Atom and Ant-Man / Giant Man – The realities of humans shrinking to microscopic size and expanding into giants are examined.
  • Re: the Flash – The numerous problems with super-speed are analyzed.
  • Re: the X-Men – Examining the potential for human mutation and whether or not if ‘real’ X-Men could be created is discussed.
  • Re: Sci-Fi Heroes (i.e. Adam Strange) – The possibilities for time travel, Earth’s destruction, and alternate realities (including ‘The Grandfather Paradox’) is analyzed.
  • Re: Donald Duck – How much correct science did writer Carl Barks deploy penning a quarter-century of Donald Duck comics?  The answer is surprising.

REVIEW:

Though the lengthy analysis of debunking Superman is complex, this intriguing book is still a real treat for super-hero enthusiasts.  It isn’t a shocker that most of the included heroes are deemed impossible (with the exception of Batman, of course).  However, there are occasional lapses – i.e. re: the Flash, where the authors don’t address basic human limitations (i.e. fatigue; getting one’s body burned or ripped to shreds by friction; or the likelihood of suffering a massive heart attack), as to the impracticalities of super-speed.  One can only presume the absence of stating such obvious restrictions is to make clear that, even without them, such super-powers are still pure fantasy.   

Exploring other vaguely hypothetical possibilities re: Green Lantern, Aquaman, and the X-Men is certainly worth the read.  The section pertaining to a possible ‘Incredible Hulk,’ for instance, is really a great ‘what-if.’  Their ‘GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) Hulk’ originates through a case of severe anabolic mega-steroid abuse and rage-induced adrenaline, with a GFP gene siphoned from a species of jellyfish.  Curiously, the authors don’t mention that this wild concept really isn’t that far off from Lou Ferrigno’s TV Incredible Hulk (at least, as a less toxic substitute for gamma radiation).

For comic book aficionados and armchair physicists alike, the well-written Science of Super-Heroes is a thoughtful and very readable means of crossing the bridge between comic books and real science.       

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

Sci-fi-horror author Dean Koontz provides an introduction.  Appendix ‘A’ explains why various types of characters (i.e. magicians) weren’t selected for this book.  Appendix ‘B’ is an insightful interview-discussion with writers Len Wein, Mark Wheatley, Brett Booth, Buddy Scalera, Mort Castle, and Max Allan Collins, linking real science’s importance (or lack thereof) to comic book storytelling.  An index, reading list, and bibliography are all included.  Mini-biographies of the authors and their acknowledgments are provided.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                              9 Stars

Categories
Books & Novels Movies & Television (Books) Self-Help & Relationships

BOGIE & BACALL: LOVE LESSONS FROM A LEGENDARY ROMANCE

Written by Cindy De La Hoz

SUMMARY:

Published by Running Press in 2015, this 128-page hardcover retrospective of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall’s famous Hollywood marriage examines what timeless relationship lessons can be gleaned.  Author Cindy De La Hoz positions invaluable romantic tips re: marriage and long-term relationships, such as “Nurture Each Other’s Hidden Talents” and “Keep Your Heart Open,” by briefly illustrating examples from the Bogart marriage.  De La Hoz’s book isn’t meant as a specific biographical portrait of the Bogarts, but more as a how-to guide for inspiring a lifetime commitment.    

REVIEW:

It’s exquisite!  A well-selected collection of black-and-white photography (some from their films or on-set; some are publicity shots; and many other from their private lives) and family-oriented color photos (from the mid-1950’s) paired with author Cindy De La Hoz’s classy text make this book a cherished gift either for anniversaries or Valentine’s Day.  For what it is, Bogie & Bacall: Love Lessons from a Legendary Romance is a gem.      

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

There’s a two-page list of photography credits.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                            9 Stars

Categories
Books & Novels Children's Books Christmas

SANTA IS COMING TO IDAHO

Written by Steven Smallman and Illustrations by Robert Dunn & Jim Mitchell

SUMMARY:

Published in 2013 by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, this hardcover book tracks Santa’s calamity-filled journey to Idaho.  Santa Claus and his reindeer are trekking off to Idaho on Christmas Eve only to get lost in a blizzard after crossing the Canadian border.  They further stumble through a minor crash landing.  Santa’s Santa-nav (his version of GPS) is not proving very helpful.  Fortunately, Santa’s unnamed, inexperienced, and youngest reindeer out on his first Christmas Eve run demonstrates a keen sense of intuition.  Ultimately, Santa and his reindeer team must use their ingenuity in delivering toys to everyone all over Idaho.

REVIEW:

At just under thirty pages, it could be construed that Santa’s visit to the Gem State is really just the author name-dropping various Idaho towns and landmarks.  Even if Santa follows a zig-zag path, at least the author keeps his geography correct.  Instead of relying on clichés, Steven Smallman nicely demonstrates Santa’s traditional habits with some sprinklings of well-timed humor.  The author’s text is also well-matched by the magic of Robert Dunn & Jim Mitchell’s affectionate illustrations.  Delightfully, this book is a real gem for children.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                                 9 Stars

Categories
Books & Novels Children's Books Christmas

CHARLIE THE RANCH DOG: CHARLIE AND THE CHRISTMAS KITTY

Written by Ree Drummond & Illustrated by Diane deGroat

SUMMARY:

Published by HarperCollins in 2013, this 34-page hardcover storybook is the sequel to author Ree Drummond’s Charlie the Ranch Dog.   It’s Christmas Eve for Charlie the Basset Hound’s family at their snowy ranch home.  Charlie takes an extended snooze, only to wake up and meet the new family member: an orange tabby kitten.  Initially mistaking the kitten for a rabbit, Charlie senses dire reality setting in.  This new kitty is there to stay.  Trying his best to ignore the kitten, the basset hound finally resorts to baying.  Realizing that his efforts are futile, Charlie is thrilled to find that the kitten is a natural masseuse gladly willing to knead his ‘aching’ back.  Yet, one more Christmas surprise awaits Charlie, as a new Basset puppy named Walter arrives wearing a collar with Charlie’s name on the gift tag. 

REVIEW:

Exceptionally well-illustrated by artist Diane deGroat, this formulaic second Charlie book is a sheer delight!  Author Ree “The Pioneer Woman” Drummond’s poignant text is occasionally hilarious depicting Charlie’s bemused canine point-of-view.  For youngsters who adore dogs and basset hound aficionados alike, Charlie and the Christmas Kitty makes a wonderful holiday treat. The book is also an ideal treat for infants and toddlers before bedtime/naps.         

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Illustrated with an image of Charlie wearing a Santa hat, there is a single-page recipe for “Charlie’s Favorite Christmas Cookies.”

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                                9 Stars

Categories
Books & Novels Children's Books

CHARLIE THE RANCH DOG

Written by Ree Drummond & Illustrated by Diane deGroat

SUMMARY:

Published by HarperCollins in 2011, this 40-page hardcover storybook introduces author Ree Drummond’s real-life Charlie the Ranch Dog.   Charlie the Basset Hound narrates the tale, as he and his best friend, Suzie the puppy, romp and play across Mommy’s farm.  Charlie further describes a day-in-his-busy-life as a ranch hand, as he generously delegates some of his duties to the smaller Suzie.  His other morning tasks include sniffing, eating, and napping in the garden.  With the family away in the afternoon, Charlie’s post-nap afternoon heroics include shooing the farm cows out of Mommy’s vegetable garden.  Of course, yet another nap to cap off the day doesn’t hurt, either.    

REVIEW:

Exceptionally well-illustrated by artist Diane deGroat, this initial Charlie book is an absolute delight!  Author Ree “The Pioneer Woman” Drummond’s poignant text offers some low-key hilarity depicting Charlie’s lackadaisical canine point-of-view.  Families with basset hounds will surely relate to Charlie’s easy-going personality.  For early readers who adore dogs and basset hound aficionados alike, Charlie the Ranch Dog is a wonderful addition to any bookshelf. This storybook is also ideal for infants and toddlers for bedtime/naps.        

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Illustrated with an image of Charlie eyeing a sample, there is a single-page recipe for “The Pioneer Woman’s (and Charlie’s) Favorite Lasagna.”

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                           10 Stars

Categories
Books & Novels Children's Books

CHARLIE THE RANCH DOG: CHARLIE GOES TO SCHOOL

Written by Ree Drummond & Illustrated by Diane deGroat

SUMMARY:

Published by HarperCollins in 2013, this 34-page hardcover storybook is the third entry in author Ree Drummond’s Charlie the Ranch Dog series.   It’s back to school at Charlie the Ranch Dog’s country house.  Observing Mama home-schooling the four children, Charlie the Basset Hound volunteers as a teacher’s aide.  As he watches the kids play, he ruefully acknowledges that “exercise is a way of life” for him.  Inspired, Charlie starts his own impromptu ‘school:’ teaching Suzie the puppy her letters; demonstrating math to Kitty Kitty; reviewing history with the ranch’s horses; and tutoring Walter the Basset puppy on “everything!”  Scolding his students to clean up the mess they all made, Charlie decides another nap is seriously in order.  Then again, school can always start over tomorrow.    

REVIEW:

Exceptionally well-illustrated by artist Diane deGroat, this third Charlie book is simply wonderful!  Author Ree “The Pioneer Woman” Drummond’s poignant text is occasionally hilarious depicting Charlie’s canine point-of-view. As story time for infants and toddlers, Charlie Goes to School makes a wonderful literary treat.        

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Illustrated with an image of Charlie, there is a single-page recipe for “Charlie’s Favorite Strawberry Oatmeal Bars.”

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    10 Stars