Buster

Buster

by Denise Fleming

Buster hoped there would be juicy steaks or fancy cheeses or spicy sausages in the box. But inside was something Buster did not want. And that something was a cat named Betty.

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

Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Denise Fleming has written and illustrated many children’s picture books, including In the Tall, Tall Grass, Shout! Shout It Out!, and Sleepy, Oh So Sleepy. She won a Caldecott Honor for In the Small, Small Pond. Denise creates her colorful illustrations by pouring colored paper pulp through hand-cut stencils. She lives in Toledo, Ohio.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/denise...
http://www.simonandschuster.com/autho...

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book about running away from home - only to realize that you left behind what you were looking for.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Labor Day picture book read-aloud marathon with my wife! (Book 1 of 7)

Buster's ideal doggy life is derailed by the arrival of a cat. Buster throws a little prima donna fit and needs help getting out of the trouble it gets him into. I just so cannot care. And Buster is a most unattractive pup to boot.

When I first read this with my daughter in 2004, I rated it "Indifferent" in our old book database whereas she rated it "Good." Twenty years later, I'm still indifferent, but my wife thinks it is good too, so I guess my grumpy butt is outvoted.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like animals and you have a pesky little brother or sister, this is just the book for you! Buster has everything he's ever wanted, that is until a mysterious box shows up with an unwelcome guest. Although a picture book, Buster is organized into "chapters" introduced by headings. There is even a map and key of Buster the dog's neighborhood The neat illustrations are created by the author pouring cotton pulp into handmade stencils. A fun read!

[Daphne · Rating 4 out of 5]

How can you resist a picture book about a dog when the author dedicates it to her dog? Denise Fleming writes, "For Warfy - the best dog ever (1983-2001)" and narrates a thoroughly adorable story about Buster and his fear of the household cat Betty. Very sweet throughout with storytime-friendly illustrations. Another winner by Fleming!

[Katie Ryder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book of Denise Fleming's Buster series. I love Buster's character, his expressions are priceless. I also love the bold illustrations. This would be a great book for a read-aloud in the classroom or parent to child.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buster is a happy dog, all is well in his life, until Brown shoes brings the "box". What is in the box that will change Buster's life forever? I used this book as part of my "What is Black & White & Read" Pre-School class - a bit long, but the older ones loved it.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of Cole's current favorite books. We had to re-check it out from the library because he requested it again. He especially likes the outlets on the walls of Buster's home.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buster isn't happy when a cat named Betty comes to live at his house and gets into his stuff.

[Heather]

very cute pet story

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buster is sooo cute! This would be a great read aloud.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for a three year old. I really like the page with the map of the neighborhood. Bright, vibrant pictures.

[Lucy ~Graphite Wizard~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and fun, good for Oral language.

[Kellie Hennessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are bright and vibrant. They draw readers into the book and help the text tell the story. This is a fun book that children will enjoy.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

How will Buster like the new cat in the family? Read this and find out.

[Nancy (Colorado) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used for a writing lesson with my third grade class.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I loved that Fleming dedicated this book to Warfy (1983-2001). Second, I liked almost the entire book. I loved the 'Brown Shoes' reference, much different than the usual 'Mr. or Mrs. something or other'. What I didn't like was the directional parts. There are only two so it's not a huge deal with they really could have been better. I mean, there's a map for the second one. Unless I'm stupid the directions just didn't match up. Now, maybe we're just very literal people but Julia tried to trace the route and couldn't. And then I couldn't. What's the point of the map if not to show the route being told?!
I almost forgot, I loved the author pic at the end. It's Fleming's lower legs and feet with a cartoon Buster and Betty. Totally awesome. I want one myself with my dog. (Does anyone really do that? Business idea people. I'm too lazy so if you do it let me know and I'll pay you.)
The meat of the story is really good and it would have been even better had we read this when Julia was slightly younger. But she enjoyed this as much as I did and we will look at Fleming's other books.

[Danielle Ori · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a reader, I enjoyed reading this book because the illustrations are wonderful, they capture the readers attention and engages interest on every page. This book is about Buster the dog who likes to have things his way and likes his own stuff. Until Betty the cat comes along and touches all of Buster's things and gets on his nerves. Buster runs away to a dog park but soon gets lost and cant find his way home. Betty climbs into a tree and helps Buster come home. In the end Buster and Betty are good friends.

As a future teacher, I would like to have this book in my class because it teaches students to not run away from ones problems and to get along with others. Also on one of the pages it illustrates a map and legend that shows Buster how to get home. I could use this book as a part of a map and legend lesson plan for the classroom.

[Ginny Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my favorite of the three Denise Fleming books I have read. Buster is an adorable dog, owned by "Brown Shoes." Buster's routine and comfortable life is ruining by the arrival of Betty, an even more adorable white kitten. Buster runs away; too far away, as a matter of fact, and can't find his way home. Guess who helps him make his way home?

Denise Fleming included a map to show Buster's route home, and there is a great reunion at the end of the story.

With more of a plot than In a Small, Small Pond and Barnyard Banter, this book will appeal to preschool aged kids.

[Megan Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buster is the happiest dog in the world, until Betty, a cute little white kitten, shows up. Betty keeps annoying Buster, so he decides to run away to his favorite park. Buster is lost and lonely until he spots Betty up in a tree and keeps her in sight until he is all the way home. I like the solid light colored backgrounds with bold, unique pictures. The text is large and bold and goes along with the illustrations. At the end, there is a map where the reader can follow Buster on his trip home. This would be a good story for parents to read to their children about sibling rivalry.

[Dena McMurdie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read more picture book reviews on my blog: Books for Kids

Buster is a charming picture book about a dog that was perfectly happy until his owner brings home a cat. In order to escape from the cat, Buster runs away.

It is an adorable tale of friendship and learning to adjust to new situations, even if we don't like them at first. Whimsical and bright illustrations make this a fun book just as charming in the visual aspect.

[Diane McSweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many great teaching devices: maps as a text feature to explain setting; Brown Shoes for inference (referencing the owner); picture book that is a chapter book to illustrate "don't judge a book by its cover"; friendship; size does not control fear (large dog afraid of small cat)... I could go on. The illustrations are on par with the best of Fleming. This is a bright, warm, and approachable text with a variety of uses, including sheer enjoyment of a perfectly told story.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buster gets lost because he runs away from the new cat that's invaded his happy home. He doesn't know how he'll get home until the cat saves him in the most improbable manner. I liked the map included on the climactic page. Very nicely done.

[Erin Forson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my son's favorite. He cried the first time I read it and he has memorized it to read to friends and his class at school. Sweet and silly Buster is our favorite, second only to Fleming's book about Buster attending camp out West!

[Valerie Doherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing story of a cat and dog who must learn to live together in the same household.

[Jess Bergoine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: Buster is living the best life with his owner, Brown Shoes. He has everything a dog could want, but one day, Brown Shoes brings home a mysterious box. Buster imagines all the wonderful things that could be in the box, but the last thing he expects is a kitten. Although Buster doesn't like the new kitten, named Betty, he soon realizes how important she is.

Review: Buster has become one of my favorite characters in a children's book! I love how at first, Buster is not a fan of the newest family addition, but soon comes around to Betty. This story of friendship is so short and sweet, which makes it perfect for young readers.

Pair: I would pair the book, "Buster," with Denise Fleming's other book about Buster, "Buster Goes to Cowboy Camp." Since Buster is so likable, I'm sure children would love to read another story about him. This time, Buster is unhappy about going to cowboy camp, but soon discovers, it's not so bad. This story is also engaging, and children will not only enjoy it but learn a simple lesson.

Quote: When Betty helps Buster find his way back home, Buster thinks, "He had everything he could ever want--and more." I think this is such a lovely way to end the story of Buster and Betty. Children will like the idea of the two pets becoming friends.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any young-and-struggling sibling with a new baby in the house... is a natural reader for this book.

Come to think of it, so is any struggling person of any age, or family situation, who has a problem of any kind. Because "Buster" can bring a sunny perspective.

Also, amore than is common for the books I've seen so far by Denise Fleming, this particular book is funnier. For example:

Buster was a happy dog until Brown Shoes [his owner] brought home the big box.

Buster stared at the big box.

He hoped there were juicy steaks or fancy French cheeses

or spicy sausages in the big box.

But there was just...a cat named Betty.

The happy ending was soooooooooooo unexpected. Woo-hoo! Here come another FIVE STARS for author and artist Denise Fleming.

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. And sometimes that's enough. Buster is extremely (and quite justifiably imo) disappointed when the box his owner brought home turns out to contain a cat. The cat is predictably annoying so Buster runs away to enjoy some "me" time. Also predictably, Buster gets lost and doesn't know how to get home, and yes, the cat does help him find his way, but totally unintentionally by climbing a tree. I was happy to see this because cats aren't heroes or even helpful friends. Despite the predictability, the story works for me.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story about a dog who has a perfect life until Betty comes. Anyone with a younger sibling can relate to that feeling, especially if they are prone to follow you around.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute story
loved the ending
LOVED that it had a map to talk about

perfect for preschool

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Great lessons in adapting to change.