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Puggleton Park #1
Pénélope et sa lady
Tout chien qui se respecte rêve d'un foyer. Et Pénélope, petite carlin, ne fait pas exception à la règle. Elle a perdu sa lady à Carlington Park, un jour qu'elle poursuivait l'écureuil le plus épouvantable de Londres. Sa rencontre avec l'adorable Lady Darling lui redonne espoir. Cette dernière pourra-t-elle l'adopter ou Pénélope finira-t-elle dans une ferme, comme le préconise Lady Pudding ?
143 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2024
11 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Deanna Kizis
11 books14 followersDeanna Kizis is an author and journalist who could not put books down as a kid. She read them in the car, on vacation -- she even read them in the bath!
Now Deanna writes her own children's books, including PUGGLETON PARK, books 1 and 2 (ages 6 to 10), and a very silly picture book called PLEASE DON'T READ THIS BOOK!
She's a mom to a little girl who is also book obsessed, along with a cat, a dog, and a fish known as "Famous Fish" because he once slid down the drain while Deanna was cleaning his tank and she got him out and gave him mouth to gill resuscitation! (True story! It was gross!) Her favorite things include having a dance party, taking long naps, giving presents and eating chocolate. And reading, of course. Oh, and saving fish. Kind of.
Now Deanna writes her own children's books, including PUGGLETON PARK, books 1 and 2 (ages 6 to 10), and a very silly picture book called PLEASE DON'T READ THIS BOOK!
She's a mom to a little girl who is also book obsessed, along with a cat, a dog, and a fish known as "Famous Fish" because he once slid down the drain while Deanna was cleaning his tank and she got him out and gave him mouth to gill resuscitation! (True story! It was gross!) Her favorite things include having a dance party, taking long naps, giving presents and eating chocolate. And reading, of course. Oh, and saving fish. Kind of.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 14, 2024
The pleasure of reading a children's book is simply something that cannot be replicated.
The joy this book brought into my heart is unmeasurable!
Penelope is the cutest pug ever. And really, I wish I was as resourceful as her.
Lady Diggleton is a peach and I love her.
I really do love children's books a lot.
I will never be happier than right now, working at this bookstore, reading children's books because there is nothing else to do.
I have reached my peak.
Thank you.
The joy this book brought into my heart is unmeasurable!
Penelope is the cutest pug ever. And really, I wish I was as resourceful as her.
Lady Diggleton is a peach and I love her.
I really do love children's books a lot.
I will never be happier than right now, working at this bookstore, reading children's books because there is nothing else to do.
I have reached my peak.
Thank you.
October 15, 2024
Penelope is a pampered Pug living in London with her Lady. After a pleasant day of playing in Puggleton Park, Penelope is ready to go home but then she spies a most dreadful squirrel stealing a tart from her Lady's picnic. Well, Penelope can't let that squirrel go unpunished now can she? She chases that dreadful squirrel all through Puggleton Park until she's completely lost! As night descends, Penelope is a little afraid but surely her Lady will come find her tomorrow. Tomorrow passes and then another until Penelope find a new Lady, Lady Diggleston, to bring her home. However, Penelope makes mistakes and Lady Diggleston's dearest friend, Lady Picklebottom, believes dogs belong on farms. Penelope barely remembers her original Lady and is growing fond of Lady Diggleston but the young widow is confused and doesn't know what to do. Will Penelope ever find a new furever home?
In spite of the parody of the opening line of Pride and Prejudice, this world is more Bridgerton than Austen. It appears to be set in a faux Regency/Victorian era. (Historical errors abound if this is supposed to be Regency). The entire story is told from Penelope's point-of-view, endearing her to the reader and getting the message of rescue across. I like the rescue story a lot. It's different from the usual abused and neglected rescue animal story and shows kids how easily our beloved companions can get lost and how they need loving homes. The illustrations are humorous and each woman's gown shows off her character traits so pay attention to words and pictures.
Penelope is a dear little Pug. Like all Pugs, she just wants to be loved and be a loving companion. She was protecting her Lady's food by chasing that dreadful squirrel! Sometimes she forgets her manners and undergoes a silly training regime. It works - to a certain extent. Her trainer is a pompous fool but he does have a point. In this world, dogs can be invited to tea and to balls so they certainly need some manners but we shouldn't forget they're animals and will act like animals and should act like animals. They just need to know when/where to exhibit appropriate behavior. In the park Penelope can run free, chase balls and squirrels and at home she can jump on her Lady's lap and give kisses. With strangers, in public, she needs to mind her manners. I think even though the trainer is silly, this plot is a good way of reminding the reader in a non-didactic way not to let your dog jump and slobber all over everyone.
Lady Diggleston is a sweetheart. A young window mourning her husband, she's confused and doesn't know what to do. Does she need peace and solitude to mourn or does she need a loving, loyal companion? She seeks answers from every source she can get but ultimately makes the decision herself. Her best friend, Lady Picklebottom, is aptly named. If we're going with Pride and Prejudice as the model, Lady Picklebottom is Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Lady Picklebottom (don't you just love that name?) is not a good friend. She doesn't consider what Lady Diggleston wants and needs. Lady Picklebottom knows best and is determined to make sure Lady Diggleston listens to her. Lady Picklebottom truly believes she's right and her heart is in the right place but she's not very observant or she would see Penelope and Lady Diggleston need each other.
This cute little book is perfect for young dog lovers and adults who enjoy Bridgerton or the faux Jane Austen trash they put on TV/Netflix these days. When my nieces were little they may have enjoyed the plot of this tale.
In spite of the parody of the opening line of Pride and Prejudice, this world is more Bridgerton than Austen. It appears to be set in a faux Regency/Victorian era. (Historical errors abound if this is supposed to be Regency). The entire story is told from Penelope's point-of-view, endearing her to the reader and getting the message of rescue across. I like the rescue story a lot. It's different from the usual abused and neglected rescue animal story and shows kids how easily our beloved companions can get lost and how they need loving homes. The illustrations are humorous and each woman's gown shows off her character traits so pay attention to words and pictures.
Penelope is a dear little Pug. Like all Pugs, she just wants to be loved and be a loving companion. She was protecting her Lady's food by chasing that dreadful squirrel! Sometimes she forgets her manners and undergoes a silly training regime. It works - to a certain extent. Her trainer is a pompous fool but he does have a point. In this world, dogs can be invited to tea and to balls so they certainly need some manners but we shouldn't forget they're animals and will act like animals and should act like animals. They just need to know when/where to exhibit appropriate behavior. In the park Penelope can run free, chase balls and squirrels and at home she can jump on her Lady's lap and give kisses. With strangers, in public, she needs to mind her manners. I think even though the trainer is silly, this plot is a good way of reminding the reader in a non-didactic way not to let your dog jump and slobber all over everyone.
Lady Diggleston is a sweetheart. A young window mourning her husband, she's confused and doesn't know what to do. Does she need peace and solitude to mourn or does she need a loving, loyal companion? She seeks answers from every source she can get but ultimately makes the decision herself. Her best friend, Lady Picklebottom, is aptly named. If we're going with Pride and Prejudice as the model, Lady Picklebottom is Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Lady Picklebottom (don't you just love that name?) is not a good friend. She doesn't consider what Lady Diggleston wants and needs. Lady Picklebottom knows best and is determined to make sure Lady Diggleston listens to her. Lady Picklebottom truly believes she's right and her heart is in the right place but she's not very observant or she would see Penelope and Lady Diggleston need each other.
This cute little book is perfect for young dog lovers and adults who enjoy Bridgerton or the faux Jane Austen trash they put on TV/Netflix these days. When my nieces were little they may have enjoyed the plot of this tale.
June 20, 2024
Need a Bridgerton fix after season 3? Read this one to any little you know! Penelope the pug finds herself alone in the park after chasing the Dreadful Squirrel. She is resilient though and finds food, water and shelter. She actively searches for her lady, but never finds her. She does manage to return a jacket she found in the park to the correct lady…. And finds someone in that lady who will help her find her lady. Trying to find her former lady proves to be harder than anticipated. Meanwhile, Penelope and her hero start to fall in love with each other… and kinda dread finding her rightful owner.
The illustrations in this one are absolutely delightful.
The illustrations in this one are absolutely delightful.
June 2, 2024
Loved these cute, Jane Austenesque early chapter book. I can’t wait to booktalk it!
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July 31, 2024"It is a truth everyone knows that all dogs need a forever home"
January 6, 2025
Chipmunks in Mayfair? I don't think so.
August 25, 2025
Cute, simple, engaging story. Who doesn’t love a pug 🤭
April 29, 2024
This was a cute book for dog lovers and early readers. The story is about a Pug during the regency era that gets lost in a park. He is eventually rescued by a lady who tries to find the Pugs owner. It's adventurous and fun. However both the Pug and the rescuer start to form a bond. They both struggle with knowing they will have to be apart once the original owner is found.
Spoiler: they end up finding the original owner. She left a letter saying that she had to go take care of a sick family member who was allergic to dogs and she hoped that a new owner would take the Pug in. I only mention this spoiler because I know that many people might read this as abandonment. So just a heads up.
I received this book from the publisher, all opinions are my own. I was not obligated to leave a review.
Spoiler: they end up finding the original owner. She left a letter saying that she had to go take care of a sick family member who was allergic to dogs and she hoped that a new owner would take the Pug in. I only mention this spoiler because I know that many people might read this as abandonment. So just a heads up.
I received this book from the publisher, all opinions are my own. I was not obligated to leave a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2024
“‘Do you not believe that it’s natural for things to change, Penelope?’ Moon said. ‘After all, I change all the time.’”
Have you ever lost a pet? This middle-grade book explores this from Penelope the Pug’s perspective, a pug in Elizabethan London who chases a squirrel and ends up in the house of a kind stranger. As they both grow closer to each other, will Penelope find her owner, or does she even want to?
Have you ever lost a pet? This middle-grade book explores this from Penelope the Pug’s perspective, a pug in Elizabethan London who chases a squirrel and ends up in the house of a kind stranger. As they both grow closer to each other, will Penelope find her owner, or does she even want to?
May 30, 2024
Okay this was adorable! I loved all the little references to Pride & Prejudice, Bridgerton, etc. Really cute setting, such a nice story about finding your person & place in the world, too. My 4 year old was sooo into this, too, and it was a really nice break from mermaids & fairies. :)
June 23, 2024
For pug lovers
My daughter of 6 loved this book as I read aloud to her nightly. You see, it was our first chapter book with few pictures but it will not be out last. We recommend you read it too.
My daughter of 6 loved this book as I read aloud to her nightly. You see, it was our first chapter book with few pictures but it will not be out last. We recommend you read it too.
July 17, 2024
Adorable! Penelope the Pug gets lost in Regency London. While looking for her Lady, she becomes attached to her foster mother, Lady Diggleton. Adult readers will recognize references to Jane Austen novels. A delightful choice if you’re looking to introduce children ages 6 to 9 to the Regency era.
January 23, 2025
A wonderful early read-along! It took forever to read this to my 3.5-year-old because we had to keep rereading her favorite chapters with that oh-so dreadful squirrel. The story and illustrations are charming and I enjoyed all the regency vibes!
May 27, 2024
This sweet story about a missing pug in London’s high society warmed my heart! I think kids who are animal lovers will adore this funny, touching book as much as I did.
July 6, 2024
DELIGHTFUL!
July 21, 2024
A shirt, sweet book for kids growing out of early readers.
September 8, 2024
An incredibly cute read! 💛
September 14, 2024
I thought it was super cute and has the witty regency era tone in the writing.
December 5, 2024
Adorable! ❤️
December 26, 2024
Such a lovely little chapter book! It reads like a regency novel for kids and it’s adorable.
Found in Early Chapter Booklist Vol. 1
Found in Early Chapter Booklist Vol. 1
January 19, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
When Penelope the Pug is out in the park for a lovely picnic with her owner, she is dismayed when a sassy squirrel steals a raspberry park. She chases after the thief, but soon is lost. Night falls, and she has to sleep under a bench. Weeks pass, and her owner doesn't find her. She manages to find food from other picnickers, and finds a green velvet coat to use as a bed. When the owner of the coat, Lady Diggleton, sees the coat, her friend, Lady Picklebottom, tells her to leave it, as it is dirty. Instead, Lady Diggleton takes Penelope home, where she has her maid, Abby, give the dog a bath and get settled. Lady Diggleton's husband has passed away, and she is lonely, so she takes Penelope with her everywhere. After a disastrous tea at Lady Picklebottom's (involving another evil squirrel, as well as a smashed tea pot), training seems like a good idea, and Mr. Weebly comes to help the dog understand the Weebly Way of Sit and Stay. Penelope excels at behaving nicely, and even goes to a ball. When someone thinks they recognize Penelope and have news of the owner, Lady Diggleton is sad, because she has come to care for Penelope. Luckily, Penelope's owner has had a change of circumstances, so the two new friends get to stay together.
This was a highly illustrated early chapter book that was absolutely adorable. I would have LOVED this when I was in early elementary school, even though I wouldn't have been quite sure what Regency Era London was. A fun romp for dog lovers, somewhat similar to Willems' Diva and Flea.
When Penelope the Pug is out in the park for a lovely picnic with her owner, she is dismayed when a sassy squirrel steals a raspberry park. She chases after the thief, but soon is lost. Night falls, and she has to sleep under a bench. Weeks pass, and her owner doesn't find her. She manages to find food from other picnickers, and finds a green velvet coat to use as a bed. When the owner of the coat, Lady Diggleton, sees the coat, her friend, Lady Picklebottom, tells her to leave it, as it is dirty. Instead, Lady Diggleton takes Penelope home, where she has her maid, Abby, give the dog a bath and get settled. Lady Diggleton's husband has passed away, and she is lonely, so she takes Penelope with her everywhere. After a disastrous tea at Lady Picklebottom's (involving another evil squirrel, as well as a smashed tea pot), training seems like a good idea, and Mr. Weebly comes to help the dog understand the Weebly Way of Sit and Stay. Penelope excels at behaving nicely, and even goes to a ball. When someone thinks they recognize Penelope and have news of the owner, Lady Diggleton is sad, because she has come to care for Penelope. Luckily, Penelope's owner has had a change of circumstances, so the two new friends get to stay together.
This was a highly illustrated early chapter book that was absolutely adorable. I would have LOVED this when I was in early elementary school, even though I wouldn't have been quite sure what Regency Era London was. A fun romp for dog lovers, somewhat similar to Willems' Diva and Flea.
September 4, 2024
"It is a truth everyone knows that all dogs need a forever home, and for Penelope the pug, this was no different."
Sooo darling! Austenesque + Dogs!? *squeee* Granted, that combination could have gone horribly awry but fortunately the writing is quite good and it's charming rather than cringe-worthy. The illustrations are a pleasing addition, deftly conveying the Regency era but with just the right touch of humor and whimsy necessary when some our protagonists are animals.
I think the right young reader will absolutely adore this book, though it may have a bit of trouble finding broad appeal. The more sophisticated writing style and heavier themes are a bit dissonant with the early chapter book format complete with numerous illustrations. All of our human characters are adults and may be hard for some children to relate to, especially the thread with Lady Diggleton's grieving over her husband's death. It's not overall a somber story, and there's a lot of humor with Dreadful Squirrel and Mr. Weeby (pretty much Mr. Collins as dog trainer!) I think there's enough sadness and worry present (mourning, lost dog, etc.) that some sensitive readers may not find it as light as many of these early chapter books tend to be. I tried this with my eight-year-old animal lover and he didn't want to read more than a few chapters. That said, I liked it enough to continue reading it myself and I'm glad I did. It was very sweet and I plan to read the sequel--totally my cup of tea!
Sooo darling! Austenesque + Dogs!? *squeee* Granted, that combination could have gone horribly awry but fortunately the writing is quite good and it's charming rather than cringe-worthy. The illustrations are a pleasing addition, deftly conveying the Regency era but with just the right touch of humor and whimsy necessary when some our protagonists are animals.
I think the right young reader will absolutely adore this book, though it may have a bit of trouble finding broad appeal. The more sophisticated writing style and heavier themes are a bit dissonant with the early chapter book format complete with numerous illustrations. All of our human characters are adults and may be hard for some children to relate to, especially the thread with Lady Diggleton's grieving over her husband's death. It's not overall a somber story, and there's a lot of humor with Dreadful Squirrel and Mr. Weeby (pretty much Mr. Collins as dog trainer!) I think there's enough sadness and worry present (mourning, lost dog, etc.) that some sensitive readers may not find it as light as many of these early chapter books tend to be. I tried this with my eight-year-old animal lover and he didn't want to read more than a few chapters. That said, I liked it enough to continue reading it myself and I'm glad I did. It was very sweet and I plan to read the sequel--totally my cup of tea!
March 30, 2025
Penelope the Pug chases the most dreadful squirrel in the park, and gets separated from her most special human. She is unaccustomed to fending for herself, but gets by until she is saved by Lady Diggleton, who is herself very lonely and forlorn due to her husband’s untimely death. She tries to help find Penelope’s owner, but before that happens, and it eventually does, the pup and Lady become very attached. Penelope exhibits great resilience, openness and patience as she learns how to behave and get along in her new home. Penelope’s narrative is sprinkled with humor and playfulness. Young dog lovers will enjoy this lighthearted beginning chapter book with a satisfying ending. The illustrations add to the appeal, especially those of cute and chubby Penelope. Readers will welcome the continuing adventures of this lovable pup.
Recommended for ages 6-9 by the SEPA Book Reviewers
Recommended for ages 6-9 by the SEPA Book Reviewers
January 14, 2025
I checked this book out from the library because it had a pug on the cover. I read it aloud to my 4 year old. It took us a long time to get through. It was a fine book with a typical cast of endearing and uptight characters that we respectfully loved and despised. I would recommend this for an older kid because the graphics were a bit too infrequent to maintain her interest, though she did enjoy the black and white illustrations.
August 18, 2024
Oh my stars this book is adorable! I love being able to share the world of Jane Austen with my 7 year old in a very gentle, kid appropriate way! Both of us loved it! Crossing my fingers that the author writes more in this series!
April 30, 2025
Penelope is at the park with her Lady when Dreadful Squirrel shows up. Penelope chases Dreadful Squirrel until she is lost and no longer knows where her Lady is. Lady Diggleton finds her and attempts to locate her true owner. Entertaining.
December 6, 2025
Lewis liked the ending and silly Penelope. Penny anticipated a different ending and felt disappointed by it. She felt like it wasn’t the strongest plot, but did enjoy the squirrel and the princessy- things.
January 20, 2025
Kept Theo entertained Sunday afternoon
May 20, 2025
Potential for book club
May 21, 2025
Just darling
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews