12 Days of Picture Books: Dewey Bob by Judy Schachner

Hi there!

Welcome back to the third and final post of today's triple threat holiday feature here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

We've saved the best for last as we join the 12 Days of Picture Books celebration from Penguin Young Readers.  It stars 12 fabulous Picture Book titles from their recent catalog additions that would make a sweet addition to anyone's holiday reading, or shopping list.  Hey, what can I say?  Giving books is one of my FAVORITE gifts and the beauties in this line up are anything but just pretty pictures.  In fact, one has NONE AT ALL, another features robots, still another turns ridiculousness into an art form, and the list goes on and on.  I've actually featured a few of the titles here over the past several weeks (well wouldn't you know?  ^-^) and a few others are coming your way in the here and now.  So, without further ado, let's turn our attention to today's book of choice and "12 Days..." kick off title....

Dewey Bob

by

Judy Schachner

9780803741201

Dial Books

This is the story of a young raccoon by the name of Dewey Bob.  He was born in a pants pocket, grew up learning all a little raccoon should, and upon mastering those skills, sets out to find a place to call his own, but there is SO MUCH MORE to Dewey Bob than meets the eye.

You see, Dewey Bob is a collector or more than simply STUFF.  He collects moments and memories, feelings and sights; anything that he is awed by along his path of life.  Sometimes he keeps them, like his buttons, odds, and ends; other times, he sets them free, like the fireflies and a particular Mudball.  What's that?  You're curious about the Mudball?  You've got a good eye my friend.  This particular Mudball is not at all what he seems (or what Dewey Bob deems him to be either, but that's beside the point), just like Dewey Bob.  With a little polish and shine, he becomes something wonderful, something amazing, something...that needs a lot of love and some special care.  Good thing Dewey Bob knows when something needs to be fixed and doesn't sit around waiting for someone else to do it...and so his journey begins to a new found forever friendship.

The rhyming passages are truths wrapped in verse making them smilingly accessible to even the youngest readers.  The artwork is adorable and while the characters are all enchanting, I must note the addition of actual product pictures, things we'd recognize from our own homes, was a nice touch.  Really connects you that much more with our little "hero"...well, he's a hero in my book, which brings me to the extra special turn in events that I never saw coming and was enchanted to encounter in such an uplifting and wonderful way.  I can honestly say this is the first time I've ever encountered a fiction story that tackled the topic of disabled animals....or should I say challenged?  What Dewey Bob does for Mudball with no expectation of anything in return is such an amazing thing and it truly moved me to tears. Okay, I wasn't bawling but I was tearing with joy for the sweetness shown and the wonderful ending that the author granted us all.  It truly was a remarkable read fit for all ages.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the author...

Best known for her Skippyjon Jones series, Judy Schachner has illustrated many of her own stories, including the much-loved Grannyman and its companion book, Bits & Pieces. A #1 New York Times Bestseller, Judy is also known for her spirited reading of the Skippyjon stories, for which she won the first E.B. White Read Aloud Award. She lives in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Special thanks to Rachel at Penguin Young Readers for the chance to bring this tour to you as well as the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the full tour, or the publisher's ever growing catalog, be sure to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.  Need some ideas on what to give the readers in your life this holiday season?  Stop by the Penguin Young Readers Holiday Gift Guide to find the perfect gift!

STAY TUNED right here as we explore a few others titles during this 12 day celebration of bookish wonders perfect for readers of all ages to discover under their trees (or menorahs, or however you visibly celebrate your holiday) this season.

Until next time...happy reading!