The Great Poochini - Gary Clement

Pun-filled, engaging adventure.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Read the book?
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Book details
  • Author:Gary Clement
  • # of pages: 32
  • Publisher:Groundwood
  • Original Publication Date: 09/01/1999
  • Genre: Fiction - Adventure
  • Hardcover: $15.95
  • Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: Ages 4-8
  • Read Aloud: 6+
  • Read Alone: 6+

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this melodramatic story could be empowering to young readers.

Families can talk about Jack's nighttime life. For families with pets, imagine what your pet might do at night after you're asleep.

Message

Social Behavior:

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Sex

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Amy Brotman

By day, he's an ordinary sort of yellow dog, but by night he's Poochini, "the finest canine lyric tenor ever to have graced the opera stage"--and one capable of turning crisis into opportunity in this pun-filled, engaging adventure. Opera buffs, dog lovers, and action fans alike will relish the book's imaginative story and artwork.



Is it any good?

4

THE GREAT POOCHINI has something for everyone: Young listeners will be entertained by the relationship between Hersch and his dog during the day, and both children and adults--especially experienced readers familiar with drama and the book's cultural setting--will enjoy the high opera of the nighttime action.

Jack's hidden life as Signor Poochini is appealing and also a bit scary, but he manages both the adulation of his opera audience and the fright of the unexpected (but useful) burglar with quick-thinking aplomb. Children will be empowered by seeing that a little fellow like Jack/Poochini can accomplish so much by expressing himself creatively.

Cartoonish illustrations add to THE GREAT POOCHINI's appeal: In one picture, a gallery of photographs featuring famous opera singers comes to life, waving good-bye as Hersch leaves the house. And though some puns may go over kids' heads, it's fun to learn that The Barker of Seville is a goof on The Barber of Seville, and it might be fun for them to bark their way through some opera music by way of introduction. Italian words are introduced, too--one six-year-old was interested to find out that battiti! means fight!

Another entertaining introduction to opera is Mary Jane Auch's Bantam of the Opera, about the career of another tenor--this time a rooster.

Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

5

Posted on 07/22/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

5

Posted on 07/22/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

5

Posted on 07/22/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

0

Posted on 07/01/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Adult Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

5

Posted on 07/22/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

5

Posted on 07/22/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

5

Posted on 07/22/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

0

Posted on 07/01/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Kids Reviews

There are 0 reviews.

There are no kids reviews.

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