Three Little Pugs and the Big, Bad Cat - Hardcover

PreS-Gr 2—An old nursery story is given an update by substituting three little pugs for the porcine trio, and the wolf is replaced by a big, bad cat! Mother Pug informs her young ones that they are no longer puppies and that they must leave their woodsy kennel to go out and build houses of their own. She also tells them to beware of the Big, Bad Cat and to build strong homes to keep her out. The three dogs—Bandit, Beauty, and Bubbles—with their backpacks full of snacks, head out to find a good spot on which to construct their homes. Bubbles is very hungry, so he chooses an area with lots of straw and builds his house quickly with this material. Bandit finds a bunch of sticks and builds his house with these. Beauty keeps looking until she finds a pile of bricks. And with the help of woodland critters, she builds her own sturdy house. But who is watching the pugs build their houses? None other than the Big, Bad Cat, with her blowing tools close by in order to destroy their homes. Bubbles and Bandit escape to Beauty's house, but Ms. Cat follows in a jumbo jet! Just in time, Mrs. Honeybun, Muffin's (aka Big, Bad Cat) owner, calls her to come see her big surprise: three new family members...the little pugs! All the art in the book is created by Attia except for the photos of the dogs. She has put a dress on Beauty and bow ties and bandanas on Bandit and Bubbles. The Big, Bad Cat is drawn with a red cowboy hat and boots and an evil grin. This story has lots of action and suspense—what will happen to the dogs? The pugs are so very cute—and easier to love than pigs! Let's hope that Davies and Attia have more "Pugs" stories up their sleeves. VERDICT Preschoolers and early elementary students will adore this title.—Elaine Lesh Morgan, formerly at Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR