Muddy Four Paws (We Love Animals) - Softcover

Grade 4-6In this series entry set in the English countryside, two girls rescue a puppy that has been dumped in a roadside ditch. Eleven-year-old Clara, her little brother Benjy (who has a hearing impairment), and her friend Jilly fall in love with Mud, but Claras mother thinks that he is too big to keep and takes him to an animal shelter. The girls faithfully visit him and learn how to care for dogs that were once abused by their owners. After discovering that the dog is completely deaf, Claras mother finally allows her to adopt him. Told by Clara, the story moves quickly and keeps readers in suspense about the pups ultimate fate. However, the main characters are somewhat undeveloped. Notwithstanding, the book succeeds by playing on the universal theme of kindness to animals and the desire of every child to adopt a stray against the wishes of a higher parental authority. A good choice for pet lovers.Paul Kelsey, East Baton Rouge Parish Public Library, LA
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