Chowder

Chowder

by Peter Brown

From New York Times bestselling author Peter Brown comes a hilarious and heartwarming story that introduces a uniquely endearing a weird but loveable bulldog who learns to make friends by being true to his quirks.As hard as he tries, Chowder has never managed to fit in with the other neighborhood dogs. While the neighborhood dogs are content to fetch newspapers and take walks, Chowder spends his days on the computer, dancing with his headphones, and using his favorite toy of all, his telescope. But being different makes Chowder lonely. When a petting zoo opens, Chowder is determined to make friends with the zoo animals. And with a strong kick and a flying leap, Chowder finally finds a place where he can be comfortable being his silly, slobbery self.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Dogs, Friendship, Humor, Fiction

32 pages, Library Binding

First published September 6, 2006

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Peter Brown is an American writer and illustrator who is best known for children's picture books.

"Peter has always loved telling stories. Growing up in New Jersey, he told stories by drawing whimsical characters and scenes from his imagination. Then, as a teenager, he fell in love with writing, and told his tales with words. While studying illustration at Art Center College of Design, Peter’s love of both words and pictures led him to take several courses on children’s books, and before long he knew he’d found his calling.

After graduating from Art Center Peter moved to New York City to be closer to the publishing industry. He was working on animated TV shows when he signed a book deal to write and illustrate his first picture book, Flight of the Dodo. Peter quickly signed up his second and third books, and his career as an author and illustrator of children’s books was under way.

Peter’s books have earned him numerous honors, including a Caldecott Honor (2013) for Creepy Carrots!, two E.B. White Awards and an E.B. White Honor, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book award, a Children’s Choice Award for Illustrator of the Year, two Irma Black Honors, and five New York Times bestsellers.

Peter lives in Brooklyn, New York."

Source: About Peter Brown.

Reviews

[Megan (ReadingRover) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chowder is a story about a quirky bulldog looking for friends. Chowder is a bit odd and treated like a baby by his owners so he has a hard time fitting in with the local packs. Chowder notices that there is a new petting zoo at the local super market and when he gets there he tries to become friends with the animals. His first attempt doesn't go well but he uses his unusualness to remedy the situation and they all start to play and become great friends. Its a good story about how real friends will embrace your uniqueness.

[Rodney · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 5yo laughs her head off every single time, and it genuinely makes her look forward to reading every night. What more could I ask?

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much as I love Peter Brown's work in Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, Chowder falls a little flat for me. The premise of a misfit dog who wants to make friends amongst the presumably also misfit animals at the grocery store (!) petting zoo is a compelling start, but Brown seems to get distracted by Chowder's internal life, and thus the meat of the plot gets a bit lost. Mr. Tiger is tied together impeccably, visually and narratively, but this story lacks narrative structure. A little more focus on the petting zoo animals, Chowder's attempt to befriend them, and his eventual success would be of enormous help here. Peter Brown just needed to keep his eye on the ball, hehehe. Sorry. Couldn't help myself.

[♥~ Chelsea ~♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite child-hood books ;o;

[⠀annie. ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i pulled this off the shelf this morning to check the author but i got roped in because chowder was so freaking cute. this was an adorable book and it would be super adorable to see more of chowder

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dog on a toilet, well that is an image that captures one's attention, and it certainly gets the opening statement across...Chowder is different. Instead of enjoying doggy games, he prefers human ones, which causes some difficulties in his ability to make friends with the neighbourhood dogs. Until one day he finds some at the local supermarket. These animals too prefer human games, although this turns out to be the simple game of baseball. Friendship isn't always found in the most likely of places, and in Chowder's case it takes a bit of active searching, and effort to get them to accept him.

The art works at creating a funny atmosphere rather than over-exaggerating everyone's actions. Some unique angles add interest to an otherwise straightforward set of images, and emphasize key moments.

Whereas friendship is well addressed, this book takes the dog treated like a person concept to the extreme, and while many will find this funny, some will be a bit confused as to why Chowder is the only dog like a human, yet the farm animals are all like that. Also, due to how wordy the story is, many younger children will easily lose interest.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chowder by Peter Brown is a book about a unique and quirky bulldog that does not have any dog friends. Chowder is a dog that reads the newspaper, is a budding archaeologist, and enjoys working on the computer. He is desperate to be a part of the neighborhood “dog pack” but he just doesn’t fit in. His attempts to become more like other dogs only make him more of an outsider. He tries to make friends at the “Critter Corral” but the attempt goes horribly wrong and he needs to go to extreme measures to make it right. This is a hilarious book that will have children bursting with laughter, especially when Chowder the bulldog has to use the human toilet. It has a heartwarming ending that children and adults will love.

[Ann Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chowder is different from other dogs. Because of this, he finds it hard to make friends. On a trip to a giant grocery store with an outdoor "critter corral" Chowder finally meets the friends he's always wanted. This is a hilarious book, both story wise and picture wise. I think children in preschool and early elementary will like it best due to the anthropomorphic main character and the simple story line.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a new favorite picture book character! Chowder is a spoiled pet bulldog, who think he's human. Because of that attitude, he really doesn't fit in with the other dogs in the neighborhood and is a little lonely. He discovers and pursues an outlet for friendship. Anyone who has ever been amused by someone treating a pet like a child will find this book hard resist.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chowder is an endearing dog, but the themes of weird and outcast are strong. I don't like immersing my kids in those messages. In the end, Chowder finds his group of friends, but part of how he's accepted is because of how well he can kick the ball. I don't like tying achievement to acceptance either.

[Cosette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t care for this one. The art was not engaging for me—specifically the expressions of the main character. The story was strange and didn’t go anywhere for me to enjoy it.

[Children's Librarian · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is wordy and I didn't care for the plot or the ending.

Something ( to be precise - the first illustration ) tells me Peter Brown never cleans the bathroom or changes the toilet roll. If he did he would know how the bathroom looks and works. His bathroom is weird. A toilet roll holder inside the wall? A tiny rug AROUND a toilet?

There are some elements that will make certain people laugh, but this isn't my kind of humor.

The eww moment for me is a cow - suspended in the air, Tarzan-like, with a big udder in the middle of the page.

One of those books that you will not want to read again. Once is more than enough. Borrow it from a library. If your library doesn't have it, you are not losing out on much.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids and I were cracking up at this hilarious book about a bulldog named Chowder who is a little strange and who's owners are totally obsessed with him. He isn't like other dogs so he doesn't have many friends, until one day he sees a billboard with an add saying they have a petting zoo. He wants badly to be a part of this group and eventually find a way to fit in. The book is super cute and very funny.

[Stacy Natal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are adorable and the cover alone drew the kids to it. The first page opens with Chowder the bulldog on the toilet as an example of how he is different. Too cute. The story goes on to show how he makes some friends despite his quirks. Something about the story feels a little cumbersome, it is long and takes too long to get to the point. My little ones started to lose interest.

[Aymin Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chowder is a great book for encouraging you to be you, much alike Perfectly Norman. It could show that even if others think you are weird, odd or different, as long as you are happy as you are you should not change for them. As well as, that in time you will find acceptance and friends who appreciate you for being yourself.

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chowder, a very different type of bulldog, has always had troubles finding friends at the dog park. When he learns of a new Critter Corral at the local grocery store, he is ecstatic to get a chance to meet the animals. Once there, it's a rough start, but Chowder quickly makes amends and makes some great new friends.

[Addison Children's Services · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chowder doesn’t fit in with the other neighborhood dogs. He is more interested in listening to music on his head phones and being on the computer instead of playing fetch. He get lonely and sets out to make new friends, zoo friends! 7/11/2018

[Mary Hamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love anything bulldog and this story didn’t disappoint! What a lovable little smoosh! Cute story of friendship with even cuter illustrations. I think Chowder in the toilet will have to be my next print purchase!

[Francis S. Poesy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very fun book with solid illustrations and a very lovable main character.

[Anjanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're big Peter Brown fans in my house and this one was no exception... especially because my kids are in to dog stories now.

[Dahlia ♥ Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasnt a big fan of this one. The story was pretty random and the reading was too advanced for my daughter. But she still seemed to like it for some reason.

[Juli Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable! The illustrations have humor without being cloying, and the story has so much heart. I don't know anyone who wouldn't fall in love with Chowder the bulldog.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chowder definitely isn't your usual dog.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chowder the bull dog isn't like other dogs. When he meets other animals at the petting zoo he causes a problem by accident, and then has to find a way to make up for it. Cute story.

[Alida · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book with a dog, check. Who has an adorable weirdo as the protagonist, check. And makes me laugh with every page?, check. Well done Mr. Peter. This one is a keeper.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chowder is so loveable!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book so cute

[Ian McHugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abilene - National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature - Chowder has a Finn face and his owner’s afro is cool.

[The Transmuted Tree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red 7th