Charlie the Ranch Dog

March 14, 2011
A droopy-eyed basset hound is the star of the first children's book from Drummond, best known for her Pioneer Woman blog and subsequent books. Perhaps the most self-deluded ranch dog since Hank the Cowdog, Charlie introduces himself and Suzie, the younger, more energetic dog on Drummond's ranch. While lazy Charlie contemplates chasing a cow out of the yard, Suzie gets the job done. As Charlie sniffs under the porch steps for interlopers and finds none, Suzie gives chase to a squirrel she's found in the same spot. Charlie seems unaware of the impish chipmunk that deGroat, with characteristic humor, sneaks into each spread. Her paintings drolly portray the discrepancy between reality and Charlie's perceptions of his day, during which eating ("I can't be expected to do all this work on an empty stomach") and napping ("I must have accidentally closed my eyes for a few seconds") are high priorities. Adult readers will recognize in Charlie's voice the understated humor that has made Drummond's blog so successful; kids should find it irresistible. Ages 4â8.

May 1, 2011

PreS-Gr 2-Charlie, a lovable layabout basset hound, believes, "Work. . .is what I do best." His friend Suzie, a young terrier, has boundless energy and zips around the ranch chasing squirrels, rounding up cattle, and fetching baskets of vegetables. Despite his proclamations, Charlie's real penchant is for eating ("Breakfast is my life") and napping ("Huh? What'd I miss? Oh. I must have accidentally closed my eyes for a few seconds"). But he springs into action when he is needed most and chases Daisy the cow out of the garden with a loud, hound-dog howl. DeGroat's winsome illustrations capture Charlie's daily routines, including sniffing the porch steps and snoozing in the grass. The comic irony of the text will amuse readers, and Charlie's quirks will win many fans.-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2011
Charlie, a long-eared, nap-loving basset hound, provides a highly filtered view of his life on the ranch. As he tells it, he and his sidekick, Suzie, are in charge. His bouncy, short-eared friend seems to be some sort of a terrier--all energy--and is always a few steps ahead of her buddy. Charlie, well, he is a basset hound, perpetually in search of the next meal and a quiet place to sleep. He has to keep the cows in their places, help Mama with the garden, catch fish and, of course, sniff the steps. Like Gloria, of Office Buckle and Gloria fame, Charlie's perceptions are quite different from reality. His down-home dialogue coupled with expressive watercolors give readers not-so-subtle clues about the personality of the dogs involved. They see Suzie running and herding the cattle, lugging baskets of vegetables and generally keeping the ranch in shape while Charlie rests his eyes and sleeps. But one day Charlie finds himself without his sidekick and actually proves himself to be a valuable farmhand. Young readers will chuckle at the unabashed, obvious humor and will especially enjoy finding the hidden, unnamed chipmunk buddy on every page. Rather bafflingly, Drummond, mostly known for her Pioneer Woman blog, provides an unexpected recipe for lasagna as backmatter. This incongruity aside, Charlie's tale is an agreeable if ephemeral one. (Picture book. 2-6)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

April 1, 2011
Preschool-G Popular blogger and adult-book author Drummond (The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, 2011) writes from the point of view of her basset hound, Charlie, who shares details about their ranch life. Although Charlie states that it is he who is the caretaker, keeping critters away from the front porch and helping out in the garden, in actuality, he sleeps much of the time, and it is Suzie, a hyperactive Jack Russell terrier puppy and Charlies best friend, who is on top of things. Charlie is OK with that until everyone goes off to work on another part of the ranch without him. However, he is able to prove his worth when cows get into the garden. DeGroats cozy illustrations picture a beguiling Charlie on a comfortable ranch with appealing accoutrement. An observant chipmunk adds an extra touch of humor, and a lasagna recipe is thrown in for good measure. Mary Casanovas Some Dog (2007) and Sandra Day OConnors Finding Susie (2009) feature canines in similar situations.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2011
Ranch dog Charlie, a lazy basset hound, doesn't run, dig, or jump like his energetic sidekick Suzie. But when the cows start snacking in the farmer's garden, Charlie is right there to shoo them away. This is more an homage to the author's own pet than a story. DeGroat's illustrations capture both expressive dogs' antics. A gratuitous lasagna recipe is included.

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)