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Whatever character Corinne Demas creates is surely one you will fall instantly in love with. With Toby, in ALWAYS IN TROUBLE, it is easier than usual as he is a pound type pup of the "generic" breed that is white and tan and just adorable. HOWEVER, can one still love Toby when he exhibits such wayward, undisciplined behavior? To put it simply, Toby is ALWAYS IN TROUBLE, but he is also always loved!
Young readers will easily learn the days of the week through the repetition as they read about Toby's mishaps each day. They will love the book and want it read to them, or read it themselves, over and over and the recurrence of the days along with the engaging illustrations by Noah Z. Jones will have everyone enchanted by this disobedient dog! Each day of the week, Toby is into a different kind of naughtiness. One day he is eating the homemade bread and soon after it is the buttons on a coat. Toby gets into the garbage as much as he gets into trouble until finally Emma, his owner, decides it is time for Toby to go to dog obedience school to learn right from wrong, and how to follow simple orders. His first attempt at an education results in an F on his doggie report card. He is then taken back for another stay in an obedience school where he will reside while he learns right from wrong.
Will Emma pick up her pup with an Outstanding on his report card this time, or will he just be out standing and running around when she arrives? To Emma's surprise, she finds a new and improved Toby! Toby returns home and not only helps with chores like folding laundry, but also bakes the bread instead of eating it. Can it be? Has Toby changed that much? IS he the same pup who left home and now has come back like a different doggie? You will have to read the book to see and find out how you feel about the surprising ending of the story. I was charmed by it and the way it was illustrated was clever and made the words come to life so well.
Strongly recommend this to little ones as they love puppies and repetition like this.
Submitted originally to Curled Up with a Good Kid's Book by Karen Haney
Karen D. Haney, Author/Developer of BOOKIN' WITH BINGO (http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com), reviews books and interviews authors for her book blog. Reading and writing are her passion.
