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Mo: The Talking Dog
Fun animal adventure for children aged 8-12.
Take one puppy who can't bark;
Add a veterinarian who believes dogs have the intelligence to talk, if they had the physical ability;
Throw in a scientist who specializes in growing tissue, who develops a voicebox for the puppy, like a parrot's syrinx.
What you get is a dog with a unique - and often embarrassing - ability, offended neighbors, and scared cats.
__________
Have you ever wondered what your dog would say if he/she could talk? You don't have to wonder anymore!
This is the story of a puppy who can't bark. He is rescued from drowning by 12-year-old Martin, who adopts him and calls him Mo. Martin's Dad, Henry, is a veterinarian and he gets a scientist friend to grow Mo a new voicebox.
After Henry operates on him to implant the voicebox, Mo starts making human-like sounds and his new family realize that life is about to get a lot more interesting! The family parrot, Mimic, helps teach Mo to talk - and eat fruit.
Mo soon starts making friends. But he's also making enemies...
__________
REVIEWS
Louise's 7-year-old daughter loved it and can't wait for the next one.
Andy found it very funny.
Sarah's 9-year-old daughter loved it and would recommend it to other children.
Kayleigh wants a dog like Mo!
Trent insists on Mo being read to him every night when he goes to bed.
__________
INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR
Why did you write a book about a talking dog?
I grew up with dogs and I find them very expressive. They can let you know when they're happy, sad, or excited. I've always wondered what they would be like if they could talk. I think they'd be quite difficult to live with, they'd rarely shut up!
I loved the book that the Disney film 101 Dalmatians was based on. The animals talk in that. It's really good. I grew up wanting to write a book like that. Mo is my attempt!
Does Mo have the usual Disney sad bit?
Not really. It's sad that he is abandoned by his first family, but that's for his benefit - it's a poor home and the children of the family save him by taking him from there. But I don't like sadness in books, there's enough of it in the world. This is a happy book, with a bit of adventure and danger, and a little about bullying. I don't like sad books and I promise Mo will never die - but he will have lots of adventures!
Are you writing more books featuring Mo?
Yes, a follow-up - Mo Goes Wild - will be available soon. It is set in Wyoming.
__________
FOR PARENTS
As a Mum and former teacher, I always look for stories that engage children's imagination, keep them turning the pages and asking questions. I feel books should be entertaining first, but also stretch their thinking and help them deal with some of the issues they may face. In this book, that is bullying.
Mo is in the 8-12 reading bracket but children's reading ability (and inclination!) varies. My book-mad daughter would have wanted to read this book when she started reading on her own at age 5-6 - and that would be fine as there are no upsetting scenes in it, although it is rather long for younger readers.
It's a story I would have been happy to read to my 'Can't-be-bothered-you-read-it' son too!
There are no nightmare-inducing scenes. For children, at least. It might be different for parents, as the thought of the dog joining in the chorus of "Mum. Mum. MUM!" is enough to give me nightmares
My daughter loathed sad stories when she was this age and we spent hours hunting down books that were both happy and appropriate for her age. The trouble is, once children are beyond toddlerhood, they are expected to deal with adult issues in their reading - and often they just don't want to! The bullying in Mo is mild and not upsetting for most readers. I hope you and your little one enjoy reading about Mo's adventures.
Take one puppy who can't bark;
Add a veterinarian who believes dogs have the intelligence to talk, if they had the physical ability;
Throw in a scientist who specializes in growing tissue, who develops a voicebox for the puppy, like a parrot's syrinx.
What you get is a dog with a unique - and often embarrassing - ability, offended neighbors, and scared cats.
__________
Have you ever wondered what your dog would say if he/she could talk? You don't have to wonder anymore!
This is the story of a puppy who can't bark. He is rescued from drowning by 12-year-old Martin, who adopts him and calls him Mo. Martin's Dad, Henry, is a veterinarian and he gets a scientist friend to grow Mo a new voicebox.
After Henry operates on him to implant the voicebox, Mo starts making human-like sounds and his new family realize that life is about to get a lot more interesting! The family parrot, Mimic, helps teach Mo to talk - and eat fruit.
Mo soon starts making friends. But he's also making enemies...
__________
REVIEWS
Louise's 7-year-old daughter loved it and can't wait for the next one.
Andy found it very funny.
Sarah's 9-year-old daughter loved it and would recommend it to other children.
Kayleigh wants a dog like Mo!
Trent insists on Mo being read to him every night when he goes to bed.
__________
INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR
Why did you write a book about a talking dog?
I grew up with dogs and I find them very expressive. They can let you know when they're happy, sad, or excited. I've always wondered what they would be like if they could talk. I think they'd be quite difficult to live with, they'd rarely shut up!
I loved the book that the Disney film 101 Dalmatians was based on. The animals talk in that. It's really good. I grew up wanting to write a book like that. Mo is my attempt!
Does Mo have the usual Disney sad bit?
Not really. It's sad that he is abandoned by his first family, but that's for his benefit - it's a poor home and the children of the family save him by taking him from there. But I don't like sadness in books, there's enough of it in the world. This is a happy book, with a bit of adventure and danger, and a little about bullying. I don't like sad books and I promise Mo will never die - but he will have lots of adventures!
Are you writing more books featuring Mo?
Yes, a follow-up - Mo Goes Wild - will be available soon. It is set in Wyoming.
__________
FOR PARENTS
As a Mum and former teacher, I always look for stories that engage children's imagination, keep them turning the pages and asking questions. I feel books should be entertaining first, but also stretch their thinking and help them deal with some of the issues they may face. In this book, that is bullying.
Mo is in the 8-12 reading bracket but children's reading ability (and inclination!) varies. My book-mad daughter would have wanted to read this book when she started reading on her own at age 5-6 - and that would be fine as there are no upsetting scenes in it, although it is rather long for younger readers.
It's a story I would have been happy to read to my 'Can't-be-bothered-you-read-it' son too!
There are no nightmare-inducing scenes. For children, at least. It might be different for parents, as the thought of the dog joining in the chorus of "Mum. Mum. MUM!" is enough to give me nightmares
My daughter loathed sad stories when she was this age and we spent hours hunting down books that were both happy and appropriate for her age. The trouble is, once children are beyond toddlerhood, they are expected to deal with adult issues in their reading - and often they just don't want to! The bullying in Mo is mild and not upsetting for most readers. I hope you and your little one enjoy reading about Mo's adventures.
- GenresChildrens
Audible Audio
First published December 17, 2012
8 people are currently reading
461 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Booth
2 books135 followersAlso writes as: Michelle Campbell-Scott, Mia Campbell
One of my earliest memories is of Mum sitting on the floor reading, with a vacuum cleaner next to her. She had spotted an interesting book while cleaning, picked it up and got engrossed!
I remember my Dad stepping over a pile of books and saying, "If you love them so much, why don't you try writing one?". I did ... and haven't stopped since.
When I was approached by a publisher a few years ago, family commitments meant that I was unable to follow it up.
Now eBooks have turned the publishing world upside down, I have become an Indie (Independent) author and I'm knocking my books into a Kindle sort of shape.
I started with a little book about aquaponics, one of my passions, and it is surprisingly popular. I think it's because of rising prices and concern about the quality of our food (if it has travelled half-way around the world you can be sure it has lost some nutrients) and the amount of pesticides used by industrial farmers.
The next book I published was the first in a series of children's books about a dog that can talk. I got the idea when reading about the differences between a dog's voicebox and a parrot's and I wondered what would happen if a dog was given a voicebox like a parrot ...
I'm putting the finishing touches to a health book at the moment. I'm a qualified aromatherapist/masseur and used to write a great deal on health topics, so it is lovely to be back in that area, researching and writing about one of my favourite topics.
I spend a LOT of time reading. I love the fact that eBooks have made it so easy to read wherever you are and I'm never without my iPhone, with it's eBooks apps. I frequently nearly miss doctor appointments because I'm too engrossed when they call my name!
I still love real books though - the smell, the feel, the excitement of opening a brand-new one for the first time. Gotta love em!
One of my earliest memories is of Mum sitting on the floor reading, with a vacuum cleaner next to her. She had spotted an interesting book while cleaning, picked it up and got engrossed!
I remember my Dad stepping over a pile of books and saying, "If you love them so much, why don't you try writing one?". I did ... and haven't stopped since.
When I was approached by a publisher a few years ago, family commitments meant that I was unable to follow it up.
Now eBooks have turned the publishing world upside down, I have become an Indie (Independent) author and I'm knocking my books into a Kindle sort of shape.
I started with a little book about aquaponics, one of my passions, and it is surprisingly popular. I think it's because of rising prices and concern about the quality of our food (if it has travelled half-way around the world you can be sure it has lost some nutrients) and the amount of pesticides used by industrial farmers.
The next book I published was the first in a series of children's books about a dog that can talk. I got the idea when reading about the differences between a dog's voicebox and a parrot's and I wondered what would happen if a dog was given a voicebox like a parrot ...
I'm putting the finishing touches to a health book at the moment. I'm a qualified aromatherapist/masseur and used to write a great deal on health topics, so it is lovely to be back in that area, researching and writing about one of my favourite topics.
I spend a LOT of time reading. I love the fact that eBooks have made it so easy to read wherever you are and I'm never without my iPhone, with it's eBooks apps. I frequently nearly miss doctor appointments because I'm too engrossed when they call my name!
I still love real books though - the smell, the feel, the excitement of opening a brand-new one for the first time. Gotta love em!
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 11, 2013
An interesting book about an abused puppy, genetic engineering, bullies, friendship and a solitary elderly neighbor. It talks about what a "Family" is (including dear friends), about doing the right thing. Set in the English Countryside.
A good chapter book for school age kids with an interest in science and animals.
I would love to see more books about Mo!
A good chapter book for school age kids with an interest in science and animals.
I would love to see more books about Mo!
February 3, 2013
I enjoyed the book. It was easy to read and it kept my focus until the end. The book was an adventure about a puppy who could not bark that was saved by a caring family. This family gave the puppy a great present and that was to talk like a human. Read it! You will enjoy the story.
March 1, 2013
Lovely story with excellent characters.
July 11, 2013
Loved the book! Cute dog-pog as I call 'em! A great read for "kids of all ages!" Now then, "if only they could speak... and..." they sure would be worth a fortune :-)
July 25, 2013
This is a delightful tale about an abused puppy who is rescued by the son of a somewhat unconventional vet. Henry Ashton, the vet, has been deeply interested in genetic engineering for some time and is hoping to find an animal to place a human voice box in; grown from tissue. When Martin, his son, rescues the puppy from the canal, and they realise the puppy is unable to bark, he becomes the ideal candidate for Henry to 'help'. I must explain at this point, Henry is no maker of monsters, but genuinely wishes to assist the animal, despite his vested interest. Henry operates and lo; Mo has a voice box. Hence, we have Mo the talking dog. Mo is very carefully taught his words by the family, and picks up quite a few more from Mimic, the family's African Grey parrot , who also talks, and with whom he watches children's television. Much of their speech is gleaned from this. Needless to say, the Ashton family's life begins to take on a whole new meaning; something they all seem to take very much in their stride. And so the adventure begins.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is funny, well put together and the characters are well-rounded and extremely likeable; well, most of them anyway. The plot is tight and clever. It reads just like any good old adventure story, which will have children routing for Mo and Martin as the tale rolls on. It's very entertaining and in parts keeps you wondering what on earth will happen next. My only disappointment being, the animal abusers should have been dealt with more severely.
This book addresses so many issues; animal abuse, bullying, the ethics of genetic engineering and doing the right thing where others are concerned. All of which are dealt with in an empathic manner. I also loved the way Mo talked, and for those who find him hard to understand, you can find 'Mo's Dictionary' at the back of the book. The book cover confused me a little. It is very sweet, but being so simplistic, I was expecting a story for much younger children. In fact, I was delighted when I found it be a chapter book of some reasonable length.
I can highly recommend this - whether you are a dog lover or not – and can see more than one generation enjoying it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is funny, well put together and the characters are well-rounded and extremely likeable; well, most of them anyway. The plot is tight and clever. It reads just like any good old adventure story, which will have children routing for Mo and Martin as the tale rolls on. It's very entertaining and in parts keeps you wondering what on earth will happen next. My only disappointment being, the animal abusers should have been dealt with more severely.
This book addresses so many issues; animal abuse, bullying, the ethics of genetic engineering and doing the right thing where others are concerned. All of which are dealt with in an empathic manner. I also loved the way Mo talked, and for those who find him hard to understand, you can find 'Mo's Dictionary' at the back of the book. The book cover confused me a little. It is very sweet, but being so simplistic, I was expecting a story for much younger children. In fact, I was delighted when I found it be a chapter book of some reasonable length.
I can highly recommend this - whether you are a dog lover or not – and can see more than one generation enjoying it.
March 12, 2016
This book was given to me through the Making Connections YA Edition by the author for an honest review, thank you.
Mo – The Talking Dog by Michelle Booth is a cute dog centric book for children. It centers around Mo, short for Moses, a dog that can’t make a sound and who was rescued from drowning by Martin, the son of a veterinarian named Henry. Henry has an incredible dream of getting a dog to talk.
Told in third person omniscient, the readers are able to get into the head of almost every single character in the story and that includes the dogs and the parrot. Normally I don’t like this POV, but since there were so many characters in this story and it was written for children it works. The only trouble I had was that sometimes it wasn’t clear which viewpoint we were seeing through. I think a little bit more tidying up of the changes in viewpoint would help, especially since the POV switched quite rapidly most of the time.
The action was well paced and kept my attention, it was also easy to read. I give Mo – The Talking Dog 3.5 stars for its cuteness and raise it to 4 stars for its entertainment value.
Mo – The Talking Dog by Michelle Booth is a cute dog centric book for children. It centers around Mo, short for Moses, a dog that can’t make a sound and who was rescued from drowning by Martin, the son of a veterinarian named Henry. Henry has an incredible dream of getting a dog to talk.
Told in third person omniscient, the readers are able to get into the head of almost every single character in the story and that includes the dogs and the parrot. Normally I don’t like this POV, but since there were so many characters in this story and it was written for children it works. The only trouble I had was that sometimes it wasn’t clear which viewpoint we were seeing through. I think a little bit more tidying up of the changes in viewpoint would help, especially since the POV switched quite rapidly most of the time.
The action was well paced and kept my attention, it was also easy to read. I give Mo – The Talking Dog 3.5 stars for its cuteness and raise it to 4 stars for its entertainment value.
February 23, 2014
I really liked this book and I give this story five stars for a well deserved author's story! Great job!
This book was an easy read and yet I found it hard to set it down for long and wanted to finish it as
soon as I could to see what if the dog gets back to his family after having been kidnapped not just
once but twice and in one day's time. I recommend this book to any animal lovers whither very
young to the oldest readers who loves animals and cares about their livelihood. I received this book
free in exchange for my doing review(s). By Angela
This book was an easy read and yet I found it hard to set it down for long and wanted to finish it as
soon as I could to see what if the dog gets back to his family after having been kidnapped not just
once but twice and in one day's time. I recommend this book to any animal lovers whither very
young to the oldest readers who loves animals and cares about their livelihood. I received this book
free in exchange for my doing review(s). By Angela
July 17, 2013
Loved Michelle's book - Mo is quite a character! Didn't realize it was a 'kiddie' book - unless you call me a kid at age 50-something!
August 26, 2013
Mo is a super-cute dog who attains the power of speech (won't tell you how then I don't give the plot away!) Mo puts his skill to good use!
Read
October 7, 2013for my 2 granddaughters
October 1, 2013
Lovely book for children (and their parents!) about a funny puppy who learns to talk, thanks to some actually quite plausible surgery and the family parrot. I like the themes of bullying, assertiveness, and settling into a new school too.
October 29, 2014
i hate it
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews