The Adventures of Zelda: A Pug Tale

by Kristen Otte

After I ran off with Vacuum's arm, my family realized I wasn't an ordinary pug. I have the wrinkles, smashed face, and curly tail of a pug, but I have an appetite for adventure. I am always searching for a new mystery to solve, cat to chase, or pillow to steal. After I gathered acorns for my squirrel friend Squeaks, my family knew it was time to put my adventures into a book. The thirteen short stories in this book connect and build into a story arc creating an exciting and hilarious chapter book for young readers (ages 7 and up). The best part is my adventures don't stop with this book; they continue in this complete five book series! Books in the Zelda The Adventures of A Pug Tale The Adventures of The Second Saga The Adventures of Pug and Peach The Adventures of The Four Seasons The Adventures of The One and Only Pug

Genres: Childrens, Animals, Humor

107 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 23, 2013

About the author

Kristen Otte is an author who calls Cincinnati, Ohio, her home. Her mission is to bring joy and laughter to people young and old with stories. She writes books for children, teens, and adults. In her free time, she can be found running, reading, coaching basketball, playing board games with her husband, or walking her crazy dogs, Zelda the Pug and Peach the Boston Terrier.

Reviews

[Denise Kuntz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend to all! Cute and funny short story told by Zelda the pug!

[Barbara Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirteen adventures told in first person by an adorable little pug named Zelda. Poor Zelda begins her life in a kennel and stays there for two years until Hannah and Nate adopt her. Once at home with her two owners and their children, Ben and Lucy, life becomes so much more interesting.

Zelda makes the reader laugh and cry. She relates her struggles and triumphs. Readers learn how she manipulates her owners into rewarding her with treats, how she rescues her family from the mean vacuum cleaner, and tackling the skateboard ramps at the park. As one reads on, Zelda takes us to obedience school, and her lonely experience in pet boarding when her family takes a vacation. I laughed at Zelda’s attempt to make friends with Squeaky, the squirrel, and how she discovered what snowmen and leaf piles really contain. Anyone who has a pet knows what an adventure Christmas decorations and trees can be for pets and their owners. Zelda, like most pets, does not relish a trip to the vet, but she learns an important lesson about herself and her owners from her visit.

This book is a perfect choice for animal lovers. Thirteen tales present a first person fictional mix of humor, adventure, family fun, and seasonal cheer. They can be broken up into short chapters for a bedtime story, class read aloud or used as a beginning reader. Recommended for ages seven and up; great choice for a family read aloud share on a weekend afternoon.

[Sterlingcindysu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll need to check further when I download a free Kindle. I thought this would be a graphic novel due to the cute drawing on the front, but no. This is a children's book, for ages 7 on up. (But to be honest, my grandson just turned 7 (first grade) and I can't see him reading something this long for a couple years.)

Since I'm unfamiliar with children's chapter books, I'll give it three stars. However I was tempted to remove a star because Zelda's first home wasn't a happy place. I don't think it's a puppy mill or kennel and it wasn't a rescue from an agency. I'm assuming she was a purebred since the fact she was a pug was mentioned so often. Children may wonder who these people are that keep dogs hungry, in crowded conditions and anxious.

[Randy Shaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Adventures of Zelda: A Pug Tale, is a wonderfully enjoyable, light read. The book is filled with cute, amusing and adorable stories that are sure to appeal to dog lovers, especially those with a fondness for pugs (of which I am a fan). The dogs-eye perspective was rather inventive and I loved the alternative insight from the pug (the vacuum story is a real highlight). This one is great for bedtime stories with the kids, but it's also great for adults. Looking forward to more adventures with Zelda, and more from this author!

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Adventures of Zelda: A Pug Tale is a very cute and funny book. I am a huge animal fan and I am in love with dogs. The way you made Zelda describe each of her adventures pulled me into the book the moment I started to read it. You can definitely see how much Zelda grows closer to her new owners, and how she reacts to new things. It's interesting how you made her act and think as a dog would. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family. I am looking forward to reading The Adventures of Zelda: The Second Saga, to see how Zelda is still doing.

[Donna Sartain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kristen Otte has written a delightful book for all ages. Ever wonder what your dog is thinking? Kristen has captured Zelda's personality, thoughts and perceptions in several short stories. Zelda's struggle with trust issues are handled with care by her loving rescue family. Her thoughts about her Christmas tree, doggie school and the skate park are most likely spot on! Dog lover or not, I believe you will thoroughly enjoy Zelda's antics and zest for adventure in life. Kristen's creative writing keeps you smiling and turning the pages to see what is next. I hope this becomes a series!

[Becca Andre · Rating 5 out of 5]

My nine-year-old daughter wrote the following review. While reading, she laughed out loud on several occasions and often stopped to read me the especially entertaining parts. I highly recommend this book to any child who loves dogs and great stories about them!

My daughter's review:

This was a good book. I love the fact that it was about your dog named Zelda. I started early in the morning and ended at 9:30 PM. I already started book two, The Adventures Of Zelda: The Second Saga. Can't wait for book three!!!!

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes it's really hard to pick a book or think about reading when depressed. The Adventures of Zelda: A Pug Tale is the perfect pick me up! It really is beyond adorable. You can't help but fall in love with Zelda, her new family, and all the adventures she has.

Only one downside: It'll make you want a pug of your own. Fair warning!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a light, cute tale. I think kids would like it, but there's nothing that makes it particularly stand out. Zelda is a cute protagonist and I think it does a decent job of getting into a dog's head.

[Rickie Hinrichs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would be a good parents guide on how to raise children. It's all about love.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zelda is a pug, complete with the wrinkles, the smooshed-up face, and the sneezes. Zelda is adopted by her new family, parents, Nate and Hannah and children, Ben and Lucy. Zelda's new family soon realizes that Zelda isn't a normal pug and begins to record her stories. Zelda, on the other hand, knows she has a big job - to protect her family from danger - which includes Vacuum, the occasional snowman, and maybe piles of leaves. At least until the safety of such things can be assured.

This was such a cute book, finally revealing the mysteries of the canine mind to her humans. Through the stories in each chapter, which can be read as separate short stories or as a connected whole, we get to experience Zelda's feelings of joy, confusion, and sometimes terror, at the various things in her life. I think my favorite story is when Zelda begins collecting acorns for her new friend Squeaks the squirrel, even though Squeaks doesn't know Zelda is doing it, or that Zelda is a friend.

This is definitely a fun read for anyone who has ever had a pet, whether that pet was of the canine variety or not.

[Riski Oktavian · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When I wished for a better life, I never imagined my dream would come true, but my new life comes with challenges." -hal. 2

Buku ini sudah pernah aku masukin ke list TBR di tahun lalu sebenernya terus nggak tahu kenapa moodnya ilang. Dan akhirnya sekarang memutuskan untuk membaca judul yang ini. Dan aku suka karena menghibur dan bisa jadi bacaan yang ringan.

POV nya diambil dari anjing pug (pug itu anjing apa ya kalau di Indonesia, aku kurang tahu juga hahaha). Jadi cerita ini membawa keunikan tersendiri lah dan ceritanya juga fresh. Bagaimana kehidupan ini dipandang dari sudut pandang seekor anjing.

[Kallina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good 👍

[Freda Mans-Labianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute read!
Zelda is a Pug, and while reading her story, I felt my Pug, Bella, and Zelda could've been related. The stubborn nature, the snoring and the sneezing too, are all traits my Pug has as well. The laughs I got from reading about this Pug were because of the familiarity of my own.
Plus there was a story about where Zelda came from, how her owners came to own her and how she lived, generally-speaking.
Anyone who reads this book is really going to enjoy it.

[Linda Galella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun for middle readers and families, Kristen Otte’s, THE ADVENTURES OF ZELDA: A PUG TALE, is 13 chapters of puppy love and shenanigans.

Zelda is the star of the book and she’s the narrator, only occasionally reliable but always loveable. After spending her first two years in an unhappy home, she’s rescued by a new family that has 2 kids and loves her very much. Zelda’s life goes from sad and scary to happy and healthy.

Each chapter is about 8 pages long and there are no pictures. This is an actual chapter book with places to take a break within each chapter, if readers cannot complete the whole thing. The chapters are short stories or episodes rather than one continuous story broken down into character POV’s or some other storytelling technique.

Good information about handling, feeding, vet visits, exercise, training and so much more. Young readers will be educated and entertained while reading. Highly recommended 📚

[Marc Echstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am re-reading this book for the third time! (Lily, 9)

I think this book is very funny. I read it for the first time when I was 8 when I first got my Kindle. My gran and grandpa used to have a pug and Zelda's character reminded me of him. His name was Elvis! I loved the part when Zelda thought that the vacuum was a living creature that was trying to hurt her family and she pulled off the arm to protect them. Zelda is a really clever little pug. It is funny to read the story from Zelda's point of view, it makes us think about our pets differently!

[Pumpkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this more than I thought I would.
There's not a lot in these stories, but that's okay. I liked the way they were written from the dog's point of view and actually used the dog's perspective in action and interaction - such as slipping off the window sill into the Christmas Tree.
I particularly liked Vacuum. I have that same interaction and I could see it all over my loungeroom, bedrooms and every other room in my house!

[Dorothy Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zelda the Pug

I like the way the author writes about life with Zelda. Zelda is always treated with kindness, which teaches children reading her books the importance of never hurting an animal. This is a nicely written book coming directly from the dog’s view.

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet Zelda, one lucky pug.

In this cute, little tale, we follow the hair-raising adventures of Zelda as she battles a vacuum, goes through dog training, spends a week without her family, and encounters a family cat. All told from the voice of Zelda.

What a nice story!

[Dalene Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

I enjoyed the lively interaction between Zelda and her adopted family. The new world that Zelda explores takes me back when my cats first met snow, leaves, and dogs. This is a great read, highly recommend it!

[Jennifer Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whimsical tale from a dog’s perspective

I read this story out loud to my 8 year old boy and he loved it. Gentle plot that allowed us to imagine our own dog and the things it might be doing and thinking. He enjoyed the references to Zelda games. A great slice of life read.

[Sandra kulik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book

Maybe you wrote this book for children, but I absolutely loved this book. I'm 76 years old and I really enjoyed Zelda. I laughed so much at Vacuum (the robot) that I actually had tears in my eyes. You are a very entertaining Author. I will recommend your books to everyone. Old and young. Thanks so very much for writing. Can't wait to read anything by you!!

[Esperanza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book ever!

Best book ever! I love how it shows Zelda's point of view, and I love dog books. I also love the drawing on the cover

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma rated a 5. I haven't read to verify this rating.

[Emma Boultby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely and well written took, about the adventures of a pug

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my son and he loved it. He loves dog, especially pugs and he love legend of Zelda so this series is perfect. He rated it 5 stars🖤

[DOUGLAS J BERRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminds me of my pug.

Author freebie. Suitable for all ages. Pugs are extremely loyal and devoted dogs. Zelda would be a fairly typical representative of this breed.

[Elisha Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s really funny

[Ming · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! Zelda is so funny.

[Crystal Starrs]

Amazing

I can't wait for the series to come out! The book was so good that I didn't want it to end!