Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
Stuck in the country because the weather won't cooperate...
Baby's mother is ready to return to the city. And her father would rather stay in the country for a few more days. Growing up, Baby's parents have always agreed to disagree. In fact, her mother wrote a book called Agreeing to Disagree that became an instant success. Their disagreeing goes back to when she was born. Her parents couldn't agree what to call her. One wanted to call her Emily, the other wanted Ferdinanda. A nurse simply wrote "Baby" on her form, and that was that.
So, once the rain finally passes, the Puddles load up the car and head back to the city. A few hours into the eight-hour drive, the family realizes they've left the dogs back in the country! In a flurry of indecision, Mr. Puddles turns the car left, then right, trying to decide if they should go back for the dogs then or return at a later time. In the confusion, the car loses control and winds up off the road.
In the meantime, the dogs are left back in the country and have their own discussion on what they should do. One is a Chihuahua, the other a Great Dane. And as with the rest of the craziness of the Puddle family, both dogs are named Sally. The dogs agree to head to the city to find the Puddles.
While the Puddles are trying to return to the country, and the dogs are trying to get to the city, stories are told and secrets are revealed. One stranger stops to help the Puddles and another stranger stops to help the dogs. In a surprising twist, the author brings to two unlikely groups to a surprising end.
For anyone that likes the quirkiness of Lemony Snicket's sense of humor, THE PROBLEM WITH THE PUDDLES is along the same vein. Fun, amusing, and downright humorous, the Puddles make any family seem normal!
Readers younger than sixth grade will also be able to enjoy the story. There are entertaining illustrations throughout the story, and the chapters are kept to two or three pages for quick reading.
Stuck in the country because the weather won't cooperate...
Baby's mother is ready to return to the city. And her father would rather stay in the country for a few more days. Growing up, Baby's parents have always agreed to disagree. In fact, her mother wrote a book called Agreeing to Disagree that became an instant success. Their disagreeing goes back to when she was born. Her parents couldn't agree what to call her. One wanted to call her Emily, the other wanted Ferdinanda. A nurse simply wrote "Baby" on her form, and that was that.
So, once the rain finally passes, the Puddles load up the car and head back to the city. A few hours into the eight-hour drive, the family realizes they've left the dogs back in the country! In a flurry of indecision, Mr. Puddles turns the car left, then right, trying to decide if they should go back for the dogs then or return at a later time. In the confusion, the car loses control and winds up off the road.
In the meantime, the dogs are left back in the country and have their own discussion on what they should do. One is a Chihuahua, the other a Great Dane. And as with the rest of the craziness of the Puddle family, both dogs are named Sally. The dogs agree to head to the city to find the Puddles.
While the Puddles are trying to return to the country, and the dogs are trying to get to the city, stories are told and secrets are revealed. One stranger stops to help the Puddles and another stranger stops to help the dogs. In a surprising twist, the author brings to two unlikely groups to a surprising end.
For anyone that likes the quirkiness of Lemony Snicket's sense of humor, THE PROBLEM WITH THE PUDDLES is along the same vein. Fun, amusing, and downright humorous, the Puddles make any family seem normal!
Readers younger than sixth grade will also be able to enjoy the story. There are entertaining illustrations throughout the story, and the chapters are kept to two or three pages for quick reading.
