PUPPY MUDGE FINDS A FRIEND

[Editors' Note: The following is a combined review of PUPPY MUDGE FINDS A FRIEND and PUPPY MUDGE WANTS TO PLAY.]--Young listeners have the pleasure of sharing the adventures of Rylant's beloved Henry and his faithful St. Bernard, Mudge, in his puppy years. In PUPPY MUDGE FINDS A FRIEND, Mudge playfully torments a cat buddy. In PUPPY MUDGE WANTS TO PLAY, he desperately tries to get Henry's attention for a good romp. Suzanne Toren narrates with gentle voice, leisurely pace, and frequent pauses that enable youngsters to turn pages and to savor Stevenson's signature illustrations. Toren's voice is clear and strong. She excels in portraying a disgruntled but loving Henry as he responds to Mudge's pestering. Music and sound effects provide an animal-friendly background of panting, mewing, and drooling, as well as crumbling crackers and thumping footsteps. A.R. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2013]