Book Review: Adventures of Tara and Pep Pep: A New Puppy

My rating: 5 pup-tastic stars

I received a copy of this little book just in time for this week's read-aloud in my little community's library program.

And I had 7 children aged 4 to 6, listening to this tale today.



'Toby and his dad were riding bicycles on a back road in Vermont, when Toby noticed a little black puppy up the lane.'

This is how the adventures of Tara and Pep Pep begin and the children were captivated from this very first line. We all know how important that is, when reading a story to a little child. If it's not interesting, they won't even bother to listen, let alone enjoy.

I had no problem keeping any of them engaged with the Adventures of Tara and Pep.
Told in a simple and easy manner each and every one of the little ones was able to understand and complemented by beautiful illustrations every single child loved, this little tale here was a success. We even had a blast with the little spelling test at the end of it. The bigger children were eager to try it out, with candies and chocolates as prizes of course. :D
Every one loved seeing the pictures of the real rescued dogs and we may have tried to recite a little from the poem on the last page too, because it was so cute!

'I love puppies,
Yes, I do!
Sweet fluffy puppies,
Just like you!'

Of course we had the little extra questions and comments too, those that always come in a read-aloud for a group of little ones when the tale they listen to is good. And I admit this time around I had to try very hard to keep a straight face. I'll give you just a few examples here so you know what I mean.

The 'Oh!! and Aww!!' when the puppy was found so alone on the street was followed by a variety of advice at my 'What do you think Toby and his dad should do?' question.
'They shouldn't get close! He'll bite!'
'No he won't! Puppies won't bite!'
'They should call 'Hope for Paws'! They'll find the puppy a good forever home!'
'They should take him home!!'



All the little ones were eager to know what happened in the end and unanimously asked to be told more of Tara and Pep's adventures in our next read-aloud. Something that, in my book, turns this little tale here into an absolute success. Not all books in our little book club managed to keep the children this engaged, or provoke this much of interaction.

And as far as the children were concerned, the book was awesome for all of them. I've only had two six year old's grumble that Toby and his dad should have put up flyers, in case the puppy had been lost and some other child was looking for him and being sad he was missing. But they too are eager to see what happens next.

Both me and my little group of Bookdragons highly recommend Adventures of Tara and Pep. to all little readers and animal friends out there.

It's pup-tastic!


Check out this book and more of Wanda L. Roberts over at https://www.writersrock2020.com/