Barkus (Barkus Series #1)

by Patricia MacLachlan, Marc Boutavant

Overview

Meet Barkus. Barkus is loyal. Barkus is generous. Barkus is family.

The exuberant Barkus and his lucky young owner whirl and twirl across the pages of this delightful pre-chapter book series from award-winning author Patricia MacLachlan. The accessible text is ideal for even the newest independent reader, while the warm, humorous story and energetic illustrations will appeal to picture book readers as well as advanced readers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452143460
Publisher:	Chronicle Books LLC
Publication date:	06/06/2017
Series:	Barkus Series , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	NOOK Book
Pages:	56
File size:	7 MB
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

Patricia MacLachlan is an incredibly versatile author whose titles range from picture books to novels, including the Newbery Medal winner Sarah, Plain and Tall. Barkus was inspired by the imagined adventures of her neighbor's dog. She lives in Massachusetts.
Marc Boutavant is an internationally acclaimed illustrator who has illustrated a wide range of books, and has had work featured in the New York Times and the New Yorker. His previous titles for Chronicle include Around the World with Mouk and For Just One Day as well as the All Aboard Train Puzzle and Matching Game, the Sky High Building Puzzle, and The Night Before Christmas Pop-Up Advent Calendar. He lives in Paris, France.

Editorial Reviews

04/17/2017
Forget about every dog having its day: floppy-eared Barkus owns the entire calendar in this upbeat collection of five stories that bridges picture book and chapter book terrain. Barkus is the “smartest dog in the whole world,” according to globetrotting Uncle Everton, who gives Barkus to his niece Nicky. “Does he bark?” asks Nicky’s father. “Only when he wants to,” replies Uncle Everton. But smarts alone don’t explain Barkus’s charisma. He follows Nicky to school and, instead of getting the boot, becomes the class dog (“Maybe he will help us all learn to read,” says the teacher, after Barkus barks approvingly at the word “dog”). After Barkus decides he doesn’t want a “quiet little party” for his birthday, the neighborhood dogs show up and raise the roof, and when Barkus finds a kitten, he gets to both keep and name it. Boutavant (Edmond, the Moonlit Party) contributes cheery, brightly colored cartooning with a 1960s-minimalist aesthetic, but what’s truly beguiling is MacLachlan’s (The Poet’s Dog) benevolent worldview, which suggests that anything’s possible if you are clever, reasonably well behaved, and fun to be around. Ages 6–9. Author’s agent: Rubin Pfeffer, Rubin Pfeffer Content. (June)

Publishers Weekly

"Stories that will make everyone want a dog like Barkus."—Imagination Soup—-


"A top pick for chapter book collections."-School Library Journal, starred review—-

"An upbeat collection of five stories that bridges picture book and chapter book terrain."- Publishers Weekly—-

"Fans will be begging for more."-The Horn Book Magazine—-


"My new obsession: BARKUS! A perfect beginning chapter book to help independent readers to build confidence—with fun short, interconnected stories detailing the ebullient adventures of a girl and her dog. Boutavant imbues Barkus with a distinct (and precisely canine) personality—a raised ear here, a blissful leap there—and matches the cheerful stories with bright, sunny colors. Guaranteed to leave readers with a smile and longing for Book 2! And possibly, probably wanting a Barkus of their own."—Hannah DeCamp, Avid Bookshop—-

"The charm is infectious."—The New York Times—-


"Will appeal to fans of the Henry and Mudge series as well as to the younger picture-book audience."-Kirkus Reviews—-

"Will delight, in particular, child readers who are fond of animals."—Julie Danielson, Kirkus Reviews—-

From the Publisher

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