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Library | Call Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
Searching... Jefferson Public Library | P BUEHNER, C. | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Monmouth Public Library | BUEHNER | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... West Salem Branch Library | JP Bue | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
Dexter is a little dog. He′s so little that the other dogs forget to invite him to play, and Cleevis the tomcat bullies him. But little Dexter has dreams -- big dreams. He wants to be a superhero. So Dexter starts a superhero training program. And suddenly, even Cleevis needs his help!
In Superdog, husband-and-wife team Mark and Caralyn Buehner have created a timeless story about a true superhero. Dexter has determination, spirit, and heart as he proves, above all, that no matter how little you are, you can still do very big things.
Author Notes
Caralyn Buehner grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah and won state and national awards for her writing during her teenage years. After she married illustrator Mark Buehner, he encouraged her to write and they have collaborated on many children's picture books. Her works include The Escape of Marvin the Ape (1992), A Job for Wittilda (1993), It's a Spoon, Not a Shovel (1995), Fanny's Dream (1996), I Did It, I'm Sorry (1998), I Want to Say I Love You (2001), Snowmen at Night (2002), Superdog: the Heart of a Hero (2004). and Snowmen at Christmas (2005). Her writing has been honored with two Utah Children's Choice Awards, a CBC Children's Choice Award, Parent's Choice Award, an ALA Notable Book, and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 3-Dexter the dachshund is an underdog-literally. Cleevis the tomcat enjoys demonstrating how he can stand right over Dex and not even ruffle his fur. What the pooch lacks in size, however, he makes up for in determination, and when he decides to stop just dreaming of being a hero and devote his life to becoming one, he is unstoppable. The first step on his journey is the library, where the poodle who assists him is wearing glasses and sports what looks suspiciously like a bun. He sets himself a strict exercise regime, pushing himself to the limit: "Even at bedtime, when he wanted to flop on the rug with his tongue hanging out, Dex forced himself to circle five extra times." He finally achieves his goal (his muscle-man poses are priceless), dons a Superdog suit, and proceeds to use his hard-earned prowess for the good of all. When he eventually comes to the rescue of a stranded Cleevis, a new partnership is formed with "twice the brains and triple the brawn." The story line may be a bit predictable, but the Buehners' considerable talents render it fresh and funny. The author has created a lovable and memorable character in the endearing and stalwart Dex, and the illustrator's retro-style artwork is charming. As in Fanny's Dream (Dial, 1996), he has added to the fun by hiding cats, rabbits, and even a Tyrannosaurus rex in the clouds and shadows. This dynamic combination of heart and humor should not be missed.-Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Not a bird, not a plane, but a super-determined dachshund named Dexter steals the show in the Buehners' (Snowmen at Night) picture book. Short of stature, Dex endures rude indifference or energetic taunting from the other pooches in the neighborhood as well as the bullying ringleader, a tomcat named Cleevis. But deep inside, Dex believes he has the heart of a hero, just like the characters in comic books and movies. The humble pup embarks on a rigorous training regimen and mail-orders a hero suit-complete with cape-to go along with his new buff body and attitude. Soon Dex's helpful feats earn him respect, gratitude and happiness-and the opportunity to show Cleevis how it's done. Caralyn Buehner's feel-good tale has a triumphal, never-smug tone that will strike a chord with underdogs everywhere. Mark Buehner infuses his velvety oil paintings with characteristic humor and warmth. He adds a few dashes of comic-book-style text blocks and panel art to underscore the superhero theme. Scenes of Dex flexing his muscles, panting during his sidewalk runs or sporting his green-and-red superdog outfit are laugh-out-loud funny. Elsewhere, shady brownstone stoops and colorful city storefronts and streets add extra flair to this dynamic effort. Ages 4-8. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
When cat Cleevis teases him unmercifully, Dexter, a tiny dachshund, trains to be a superhero. Despite Dex+s new rippling muscles and superdog outfit, Cleevis still laughs+until he gets stuck in a tree and must call on Dex for help. Only the hardest heart wouldn't cheer on Dex, and the humorous art capably depicts his determination. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
The Buehners convincingly suggest that heroes, super or otherwise, are self-made. Looking "like a plump sausage on four little meatballs," Dexter the dachshund is derided by all the other pooches and even the hulking tomcat Cleevis. Determined, however, to turn his dreams of becoming a superhero into reality, he undertakes a relentless program of study and exercise, orders a form-fitting, red-and-green hero suit, and proudly takes on the work of a Hero. That could be helping a puppy cross the street, tackling a purse-snatcher, putting out a trash-can fire, or organizing a neighborhood cleanup day. Flexing stubby but well-muscled arms, Dex cuts a distinctive figure in the illustrations as he grows into his role, striding with new self-confidence through his all-animal urban community, ever ready to help those in need. In the end, he even rescues Cleevis from a tree, picking up a sidekick as a result. Faster than a speeding bullet? More powerful than a locomotive? No--but this low-slung role model shows the inner stuff, both to transform himself, and to rise to the challenges that come his way. (Picture book. 7-9) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Reviewed with Steve Bjorkman's Supersnouts! PreS-Gr. 1. Lots of kids want to be superheroes, and apparently so do certain animals. Two new books make good use of every child's longing to be the biggest, bravest, strongest. In Supersnouts! young pig Hamlet notices masked men entering the barnyard and alerts two older pigs. They slip into the costumes of the Superhero Pig Patrol and allow Hamlet to get some "on-the-hoof" training as a superhero. He causes almost as much trouble as he solves before triumphantly catching the burglars (though the actual capture is somewhat abbreviated). This rather slight story has a high quantity of hammy jokes along with plenty of bangs and booms. The attraction here is the zippy watercolor artwork, so action-filled that each spread practically quivers with movement. Although the pictures are not cartoon-style, this raucous offering does have elements of that robust medium. Superdog has the same energy, but less slapstick and more heart. Dexter is a small dog, who decides that the way to get respect, especially from ridiculing cat Cleevis, is to become a superhero. He exercises, reads up on other superheroes, and even gets a costume. Almost immediately, he is tackling purse snatchers, rescuing rodents, and in a dramatic denouement, saves Cleevis, who is stuck in a tree. This has a stronger story than Supersnouts, but again it is the artwork that really shines. Solid shapings, surprising perspectives, and thick paints in dynamic colors combine for artwork that practically jumps off the page. There's plenty of wit, too, such as in the set of six small pictures in which Dexter shows off his newly developed muscles. Pure fun (mixed with a little forgiveness). --Ilene Cooper Copyright 2004 Booklist