Product Description

Chowder isn't like other dogs. For one thing, he likes people toys better than dog toys. He liked to read newspapers rather than fetch them, and he would rather surf the internet and look through his telescope than bury a bone. He just doesn't fit in with the neighborhood dogs, and that makes Chowder lonely. When a petting zoo opens nearby, Chowder is determined to make friends with the zoo animals. And with a strong kick and a flying leap, Chowder finally finds a place where he can be comfortable being his silly, slobbery self, and makes friends by being true to his quirks.

Chowder is a hilarious and heartwarming story that introduces an endearing new character to the picture book market.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #122380 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780316011808
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-4–Chowder is not like most bulldogs. Instead of burying bones, he busily arranges them into a skeletal formation, as an archaeologist would. He gets about town with his doting owners in the type of backpack that a toddler would ride in, and he uses the toilet like a human. His quirkiness leads the neighborhood canines to conclude that he would be better off in a zoo, so it is with mounting excitement that he spots the grocery stores new Critter Corral through his balcony telescope and looks forward to making friends there. Browns static, acrylic-and-pencil compositions and the repetition of visual elements across the page yield strong designs. The rounded figures and precise patterning suggest a Playmobil™ world, with a touch of texture. The scenes depicted through the telescope are circular close-ups, framed in black. The parting shot, showing how Chowder communicates with his new friends even when they cant be together, requires a bit of visual sophistication, as does the book in general. Its wacky comedy and the quest for acceptance will best be appreciated by those whove been around the block a few times. Fans of Anthony Browne and Craig Frazier will sit up and beg for more.–Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
*Starred Review* "Chowder has always been different." It's hard to disagree when the illustration shows Chowder the bulldog doing his business on the toilet. But that's not the only way he stands out: he rides mechanical horses, and though other dogs collect bones, he uses them in paleontology projects. His devoted owners, the Wubbingtons, are perhaps responsible for his singularity: they carry him in a baby pack and let him use their computer. Still, he longs for animal friends, so when a petting zoo opens, he eagerly makes a visit. Alas, while trying to play with the animals, he kicks their ball into a tree, thus alienating his potential pals. But distressed Chowder makes a comeback when he spots the ball in a tree and valiantly attempts to retrieve it. Yes, he starts to fall, but the other animals rescue him. Everything works here. The tongue-in-cheek humor melds delightfully with Brown's distinctive acrylic-and-pencil artwork. The characters have such a sturdy appearance, they look as though they could be carved from wood, and high-gloss finish gives the art a computer-enhanced look. Inventive is the best word to describe the design--as when Brown uses the book's gutter to move Chowder from the zoo's bathroom (where he's doing his business again) to the tree. But along with the glitz, there's also a real story here, starring a winsome protagonist. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author
Peter Brown is a graduate of the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. He grew up near Princeton, New Jersey and now lives in Brooklyn, New York where is likes to make friends with bulldogs.

Customer Reviews

Two boys' review: Quirky bulldog delivers fun bedtime story...for adults, too!
Meet Chowder. A weird little bulldog who is looking for his place in the world...and what a funny world in which he lives!

Two other silly characters, Madge and Bernie Wubbington, are straight out of Best in Show. They are a childless couple who lavish love and attention on their little bulldog (who resembles a five-year old boy).

Anyone who has spent a summer afternoon in a supermarket parking lot will laugh as the Wubbington family heads off to "Food Ranch." Author Peter Brown takes an everyday event - grocery shopping - and stands it on its head.

The message is simple and easy to follow: it is okay to be different. Even though Chowder doesn't fit in with other dogs he ultimately finds friends that appreciate his quirky behavior.

In summary, Chowder is a great bedtime reading book for young children. The School Library Journal recommends this book for grades 1-4. My oldest son will be a first grader this fall and he was able to read about a third of the words in the book. That said, Chowder stands up well to repeated readings. Rating: Four stars.

very cute!
This book is relate-able for a lot of kids who are trying to fit in and make friends. It's a cute and funny story.

Enjoyable!
Chowder had always been different. He really was like no other dog. He was quirky, not weird as other people thought of him. He wanted to be like the other animals, but he just wasn't. His people owners, the Wubbingtons, loved him dearly, but they were a little quirky themselves.

When Chowder learned that there was a Critter Coral (petting zoo) at the Food Ranch, he devised a plan to go there and meet the animals. He thought the Critter Coral animals would befriend him. After an unusual incident, the 'critters' embraced all that was unique about Chowder (they had their own quirky behaviors) and he had new friends at last.

I expect there will be laughter and delight in the animal antics. Be prepared to read this story over and over again.

Armchair Interviews says: Children will enjoy the creative story of Chowder.