Waggers

by Stacy Nyikos, Tamara Anegon (Illustrator)

When Waggers is adopted, he tries to be good; he really does! But it isn’t Waggers’s fault that his tail goes crazy when he gets excited. How much harm can a tail do, anyway? Well, his new family is about to find out. In the kitchen, the cookies smell so good that Waggers’s tail makes the dough hit the ceiling. And when Waggers helps the kids defeat a monster in the living room, there may be a sofa casualty. After his tail accidentally scratches the paint off the car in the garage, Mom and Dad aren’t so sure their home is the right fit for such an excitable pup. Could this be the last straw, or can Waggers and his family find a way to stay together?

Author Stacy Nyikos spins a humorous tale of a well-meaning, but clumsy dog. With hilariously unexpected scenarios, this heartwarming story will keep you giggling and wondering what Waggers—and his tail—will do next. Adorable illustrations from Tamara Anegon bring the silly scenes to vibrant life and make Waggers a joy, especially for pet lovers.

Sky Pony Press, with our Good Books, Racehorse and Arcade imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of books for young readers—picture books for small children, chapter books, books for middle grade readers, and novels for young adults. Our list includes bestsellers for children who love to play Minecraft; stories told with LEGO bricks; books that teach lessons about tolerance, patience, and the environment, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 4, 2014

About the author

Stacy A. Nyikos is the author of three aquatic picture books, Squirt, Shelby & Dizzy (Stonehorse), as well as a middle grade novel, Dragon Wishes (Blooming Tree Press, 2008). Her books have received numerous awards, including Winner in the Arizona Authors Literary Contest, Finalist in ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year, and Featured Picture Book of the Oklahoma Aquarium.

Stacy conducts school visits at both elementary and middle schools across the U.S., using dummy books, selected (somewhat embarrassing) early drafts of her writing, and power point presentations to teach children about story-making and sea life. In 2008, she will finally! be able to add Chinese dragons to her presentations. "

Reviews

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waggers is a picturebook written by Stacy Nyikos and illustrated by Tamara Anegon. When Waggers is adopted, he tries to be a good dog, he really does! But Waggers’s tail goes crazy when he gets excited, and Waggers' tail is extra long. You would not think a tail could do much harm, but his tail causes trouble on a epic level. He never means to cause trouble, but his happiness or excitement makes his tail go crazy and then trouble ensues. After too much damage has been caused, mom and dad think Waggers might not be the right dog for their family. Can Waggers and his family find a way to stay together?

Waggers is a charming picturebook about a dog that just wants to be loved and be part of a family. however, Waggers' seemingly uncontrollable tail causes trouble at every turn. Anyone that has a good natured but very active child, pet, or adult in their life has met a creature like Waggers. All smiles, love, and good nature but leaving destruction in their wake. Like Waggers, awareness of themselves and a good way to channel that energy makes all the difference. I think the book offers a good message about giving chances, channeling enthusiasm, and love surpassing issues when given a chance. the illustrations perfectly capture the trouble and charm that is Waggers. I really enjoyed the colors and personality evident on each page.

I recommend Waggers to anyone with a pet, particularly one that causes unwitting destruction. Readers that carry that same enthusiastic abandon or know someone that does will also greatly enjoy this book. however, do not pass it up just because your life or house is peaceful, Waggers will charm and bring a smile to the face of anyone that picks it up.

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waggers by Stacy Nyikos is the very short tale....of a very LONG TAIL. Waggers is a dog whose tail is long and thin as a bullwhip, so naturally when a nice family decides to adopt him as their pet, the tail whips up some damage around the house. Not even Waggers' fault. He tries real hard to be a good puppy, but the tail has other ideas. It knocks down plants and trips up the dad! The family is almost on the tail end (pun intended) of getting rid of the poor dog, but fate steps in, and his tail is put to extremely good use, starting with...hedge trimming. Whack, and he's turned over a new leaf...ALL OF THEM! Good story about the risks worth taking in letting in someone you could love. How you accept it and learn from it...is a tail for another time.
Four stars
Waggers' tail WHIPS!!!

[Aeicha · Rating 5 out of 5]

WAGGERS is an adorable doggy tail tale about a cute pup named Waggers who tries REALLY hard to be good, but has an out of control tale that makes one big mess after the other for his new adopted family.

Stacy Nyikos has created another perfectly charming and fun picture book that is sure to delight little readers. The tale of WAGGERS is full of humorous, happy, and surprising moments that will tickle the funny bone and warm your heart. Stacy’s storytelling is accessible, sweetly simple, and engaging; she clearly knows her audience! Waggers’ good intentions and misadventures are not only entertaining, but also relatable, and little readers will be able to see themselves in this well-meaning doggie. The notion that everybody is good at something and everybody has talents, shines brightly in WAGGERS!

Tamara Anegon has wonderfully captured Stacy’s story with her bright, whimsical illustrations. Every funny mess, loving moment, and unexpected event is brought to life through captivating pictures that little readers will just love!

WAGGERS is a super fun, giggle inducing picture book that will put a smile on your face!

[Gmr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waggers is an adorable story filled with all the spunkiness and mischief an everyday puppy can get into, multiplied by 3....foot that is. His extra long tail provides for moments of mayhem not expected nor intended but in the end, it works in his favor in helping him and his family find the PERFECT "job" for him. Let's just say that his tail gets a real work out leaving not much energy left for wiggling and waggling all over the place at home.

In short, it's a laugh, it's a riot, and it's a great reminder that adopting a pet is SERIOUS business (in the serious sense and the seriously fun sense). You have to find the perfect fit for you AND for them. You have to make a good match for BOTH parties involved and then...THEN you have a match made in puppy loving heaven.

Recommended read for all ages. Waggers will entice you from the tip of his tail right to his cute little nose with his antics, his misadventures and most of all his unconditional love.




**ebook received in exchange for my honest review, full post can be seen on my site**

[Jasmine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my fave. Pictures weren't that great, for one. Instead of looking like a cute dog with a long tail, Waggers looks like a big ugly rat.