Book Reviews » Big Dog Blog

Leslie Rockitter, author of Chester, The Saint Bernard will be at Dutton’s Book Store tomorrow November 18th from 2pm-4pm for a book signing. In excited anticipation, we’re posting a video Chester himself, in all his glory!

Address: 11975 San Vicente Blvd, Brentwood. 310 475-6263

Chester, The water-loving, pool-hopping, salad-eating, St. Bernard dog

Visit Chester at www.chesterthestbernard.com

It is not to often that you find books written about big dogs. I often find myself leaving bookstores and libraries disheartened because once again there was nothing with one of my favorite breeds in it. When I do find something though I love to share!

Today, I had the pleasure of reading a children’s book, Chester the St. Bernard,

Chester, The water-loving, pool-hopping, salad-eating, St. Bernard dog

where the main characters were all of my favorites- a Newf, Great Pyrenees, and a Saint Bernard. When I glanced at the cover I laughed because the images were so true to form. The Newf was happily eating, the Pyr looked too cool to hang out with the others, and the Saint was goofily smiling. I looked at my own Newf afterwards and laughed thinking, “He could totally be that dog”.

This book was such a fun read. It is not only well written but also has three seriously adorable characters. Their personalities shine through and bring an insightful and entertaining look into the eyes of a puppy trying to fit in with his uber-cool older siblings. Who ever thought that being the new kid on the block would be so difficult?
As an educator, I would have to say that this book is a great resource for parents because this book has the ability to reach kids at all ability levels. Its pictures engage the emergent readers while the large print helps struggling readers to decode words. This book can also be a fun tool to help kids increase the fluency or speed at which words are read and the silly voices the dogs have can help the kids to really immerse themselves in the given roles.

Whether you have kids or not, you should really pick up a copy of Chester, The water-loving, pool-hopping, salad-eatng, St. Bernard dog by Leslie Rockitter from your local bookstore. You will not only find yourself grinning from ear-to-ear as you read but will probably laugh out loud in some parts.To order this book, participate in various activities based on the book’s characters or listen to the dogs’ voices go to: www.chesterthestbernard.com

Marley and Me Book Review
Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog
by John Grogan

From the BPO Book Club Sheryl writes:

My friend Desi, who for some reason known only the the god of over-neatness will NOT keep more than 1 bookcase in her house, gave me this medium-sized hardback last night as I was leaving. She got it for Christmas, and loved it (but doesn’t love it enough to replace one of the books on the only shelf with it.) “Here, you’ll like this, it’s funny–like those vet books you bought the kids. Take it home.” (I gave the kids a boxed set of Herriott last summer.)

“Desi, this is a new book.”

“I know, that’s why I’m giving it to you. If I ever want to read it again, I can borrow if from you.”

(Desi is one of the 2 people in the world who I lend books to–and she’s the only one who gives them back. I have to smuggle my ‘lent’ books out of my mother’s house by the sackful, usually under cover of darkness.)

So I brought it home.

It being a TAR-less Tuesday, I didn’t even bother turning on the TV. I just put on my sleep shirt, got a mug of ice water and a bag of sunflower seeds, smooshed my pillows around, curled up in my flannel sheets and cracked the book. It was about 9:30.

About 3 pages in I started giggling.

About 7 pages in, I started to laugh.

About 15 pages in came the first guffaw.

At 11:45, a pounding rattled my security door. It’s the neighbor, in his robe, slipperless and mad. “What the hell is going on over here? I’m trying to sleep!”

“Sorry. Sorry. My book is too funny.” This is emphasised by the fact that I am, in fact, still snickering.

“Well, quit reading it if you can’t laugh quieter. I have to be to work at 4:00!”

I couldn’t put it down, though; I was too close to the end. I returned to my flannel sheets and rearranged my pillows to read on my tummy, with a laugh pillow carefully propped under my chin, to muffle the noise.

At 12:15, I was sobbing helplessly. I went to sleep with a headache from crying; I still have it.

It’s everything everybody who wants a dog needs to be warned about, and everything everyone who has a dog knows and loves about their own.

You have to read this book. You will laugh for 270 pages, see it coming for 15 pages, and bawl like a baby to the end of the book. But it’s worth the crying headache.

Indeed a great book that every dog owner will appreciate. This book is perfect for those considering adopting a dog and should be recommended as this book will give them much insight into the life of owning a dog but more importantly, how to prepare for and choose a dog.

Take a look at other opinions on the Sheryl’s thread here.

Order “Marley and Me” at Amazon.com

Weighing in at 64 pages, this little paperback is a quick and fun read - making it a great stocking stuffer. You might even buy an extra copy for yourself as you can open this book up anywhere between the covers, and have a quick laugh. This second book by published author Trixie the Golden Retriever, is one for the holidays as she shares her wisdom of holiday cheer; how to shop for the holidays – buy tasty sausages, buy tasty sausages, and buy more tasty sausages.

From the Publisher:

Trixie has plenty of advice for sniffng out the true spirit of Christmas, keeping the holidays stress free, and finding that perfect gift - you can never go wrong with hot dogs!

CHRISTMAS IS GOOD! is an irresistible stocking stuffer full of furry tidbits to maximize yuletide fun — including caroling with cats (if necessary), baking tasty sausage, peanut-butter Christmas biscuits, and making yourself fluffier for all the holiday parties. It’s the ultimate guide to Christmas cheer for pet lovers everywhere!

All proceeds from this book (as well as her others) go to Canine Companions, the organization that trained Trixie in her earlier but still, noble service work.

View this Book at Amazon Here

If dogs could read, this would be the perfect primer to understanding people. Because we can read, we get a glimpse into a seemingly secret handbook by a dog that has really figured out his people, and has published his work underground for his kind to read.

The author Terry Bain has entirely succeeded in writing a book that looks at life from a dog’s point of view. Through this perspective, the true heart and soul of the dog becomes manifest – his thoughts, his feelings, his humor, his forgiveness, his love, his loyalty and it all seems to surround his family of people. Ultimately You Are A Dog can teach you how to reason like a dog, and a dogs reasoning is to appreciate the finer things in life – the companionship, the comfort, and the exotic tasting skin of a human.

Reflecting on this book will have you ruminating over your own dog with amusement and joy as you begin to realize the true intentions behind their little antics.

Book Exerpt

“When you attempt to reflect the facial expression of your people, you have learned that you are often rewarded with attention, petting, admiration, and sometimes treats. You do this especially when your people have just arrived home and caught you asleep on the sofa. As you get older it is more difficult to get down from the sofa in time to avoid being caught. But if you make a humanlike facial expression, there will be no harsh words for having been caught on the sofa. Instead they might get down on their knees and put their arms around your neck and let you lick their face. Having their arms around your neck is worth it for the opportunity to lick their face.”

View this Book at Amazon Here