Fizz and the Police Dog Tryouts

Fizz #1

by Lesley Gibbes, Stephen Michael King (Illustrator)

In Book One of this hilarious and action-packed series for newly confident readers, Fizz is determined to go to the Police Dog Tryouts and prove that he can do the job. But he is the smallest, whitest, fluffiest dog in the long queue. Meet Fizz - the daring dog detective! Fizz wants to be a police dog. He's brave, clever and super-fast, but Fizz doesn't look like a police dog. His family are show dogs and companion dogs, not working dogs. Fizz longs for adventure, and he's determined to try out at the Sunnyvale City Police Station. There, he is the smallest, fluffiest dog in the line-up, and he meets fierce Amadeus, who definitely wants to be top dog.

Genres: Childrens, Chapter Books, Fiction

80 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2016

Reviews

[Marie the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quite okay and probably very exciting book for kids who like dogs, police and thrilling stories.

[Superstine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amalie (5,5) sier fem stjerner, jeg sier tre.

[Bert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This dog... is so cute. And he wants to be a policeman. That would have been almost a perfect book for me when I was reading at this level (I promise I can read better than this now). I got a free reading copy of this at work but it would have made my heart go AAAAAA under any circumstances. He's wearing a police hat! A hat!

Anyway, the dogs were a bit less dog-like than I was expecting for a series that also has human characters and doesn't feature the dogs wearing clothes, and I didn't really understand why Tom's role in the plot had to be filled by an extra human character for young readers to keep track of. I assume he has some function in later books which is relevant to his pathetic lack of dog-ness. There are no lady humans in this book and the only lady dogs are Fizz's spoilt and pampered family. I liked the ending and both the illustrations and concept are super adorable. I think the other books in the series, which feature actual crimes, will be more exciting and read more independently after children have been introduced to the dog breed vocab in this one.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book to read with my 4yo. This was the perfect transition from picture books to chapter books. He enjoyed the storyline and I appreciated that the chapters were shorter and there was an illustration on each page. We plan to purchase the remaining books in the Fizz series 😍

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eleanor says, “100 Stars!” Her favorite part was the ending!

[Talyr Lerwill]

What a fun read aloud book to my kids. They loved this cute, quick story about a dog who wants to be a police dog but doesn’t look like a “regular” police dog. It was fun to see them relate Fizz in the story, to our police dogs who live at our house who don’t look like “regular” police dogs. 🚔

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book to read aloud to my 3 year old son who loves cops and robbers.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, I am reading children's books in a series so I know what to recommend to students.

I loved this book and researched both the author (from Australia) and illustrator. I loved the art work and the text. I was looking for coloring sheets for Fizz but it only had illustrations for a few other books he'd illustrated.

Fizz a real little flooffy dog wants to be a police dog. His mom and dad don't really want him to have to work hard or in dangerous situations, but he goes to tryouts anyway. Amadeus, a bigger bully dog is against it too and makes it hard on Fizz. There is a very satisfying ending. I would even like to read the next 4. The illustration just make me smile.

[Wynee Igel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story, or maybe the dog is just cute. The cute, small, fluffy dog, Fizz, comes from a line of cute lap dogs, but he wants to be a police dog. His family tells him he's not that type of dog. He goes to the police dog tryouts and meets other dogs also trying out including a large dog that makes fun of him. But Fizz persists and we read about how he overcomes his different obstacles trying to become a police dog, such as being small, someone making fun of him, and his family not supporting him. I felt for Fizz and laughed at the images in my mind the author describes. A great story and will keep kids reading.

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fizz is a small white fluffy dog. His family are either show dogs, lap dogs, handbag dogs or companion dogs. But Fizz wants to be a police dog. He goes to the police try-outs and is laughed at by a large black german shepherd called Armadeus. But Fizz is determined and refuses to give up on his dream.

This brand new series with No. 3 & 4 out in July 2016 will be loved by animal lovers and anyone determined to achieve something. Packed with fun B&W Illustrations, these stories would make great read-a-louds.

[Nam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book with a good message. Don't let anyone tell you what you can and can't do. All that really matters is what you have in your heart.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fizz wants to be a police dog even though he doesn't look like a typical one. He's a Bolognese and his family encourages him to pursue different career options. He still attends the police dog tryouts and succeeds. Gibbes writes about a character who believes in himself and perseveres to achieve his dreams. His family does support him even though it's beyond their knowledge base. It's easy to encourage those we love to stay in the realm we know.
Charming and easy to read story for mid-elementary levels.

[Fahimeh · Rating 1 out of 5]

این کتاب رو از کتابخانه برای پسرم امانت گرفتم ، چون فکر میکردم داستان پرهیجانی داره که دوست خواهد داشت اما واقعا پشیمان شدم .
و بعد از خواندن این کتاب توسط پسرم ، متوجه صحبت های دریابندری در کتاب یک گفتگو ، در مورد مترجم و ترجمه ی خوب شدم .
و واقعا متاسف شدم برای ادبیاتی که به بچه هامون می آموزیم
یعنی واقعا نمیدونم چطور اسم اینگونه افراد رو میشه مترجم گذاشت با این ادبیات وحشتناک و کلماتی که حتی من مادر از گفتن شون شرم دارم .
و چطور میشه ناشری همچین ترجمه ای رو چاپ میکنه ؟؟؟؟
واقعا بعضی قسمت های کتاب ، در جواب پسرم که بعضی کلمه ها رو متوجه نمیشد ، نمیدونستم چی باید بگم .

[Jill ODell · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son and I have read all four books. They are really awesome. My son enjoyed them so much we read all four in a couple days. I liked how the main character chased his dreams even though it was different than what others expected of him. Such a great message! And the parents are responsible and loving (my personal pet peeve in kids books is absent/irresponsible/mean parents.). I've already recommended it to several friends!

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read aloud for the elementary crowd! My kids absolutely loved hearing from a fluffy little pocketbook dog with big aspirations. It is easy to follow with lots of illustrations to support the storyline but not as simple as you might expect. Fizz does have to deal with bias, stereotypes, and bullying and he doesn’t get exactly what he wants but the twist in the end is perfect and you’ll be excited to start the next book in the series.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super cute and easy to read, quick story of a dog named Fizz and his desire to be a police dog. He definitely doesn’t fit the description of a typical police dog, but that doesn’t stop him from Pershing his dream.

My 4 and 6 year old were interested in the story and it kept them entertained.
Unfortunately our library doesn’t carry this series so moving through them will take some time as I have to purchase the books, but we are interested in moving to book 2

[Hawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable early reader or early chapter book without crass bits and with adorable and emotive illustrations. My boys ages 7 & 5 wanted me to read it aloud to them and we all loved the cute drawings and visuals as well as the story. Highly recommend to anyone with early readers. Short and manageable chapters and not too many, but a cute little story - and I love that my boys are loving the whole set! They want us to buy them now.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book in a series (of course isn't every book part of a series now days) and this is an adventure type series about the title character with the unlikely name of Fizz (Whatever happened to Rover and Spot) all good for the younger reader but as you get longer in the tooth you may become more jaded about the goings on of Fizz and co.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the message in this book - Fizz didn't let his looks, his size, or his family's background deter him from following his dreams. In the police dog tryouts he demonstrates courage and creativity to capture the burglar. Note to parents - as a dog, he pulls the burglars pants down and tugs the burglar's belt tight around his legs to catch him.

[JoAnne Styger · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son read this, the first in a series about a small fluffy dog who aspires to become a police dog. Well written, amusing, and fun. This is a great chapter book for a child building their reading skills.

[Jean-Edouard Dahy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fizz is a cute white puppy. His mum is a fashion puppy and everyone wants him to be a kind little puppy like his twin brothers who are owned by a lovely old lady. But Fizz wants to be a police dog, no matter what. Will he achieve his dream? Read this book to find out...

[Breana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fizz and the Police Fog Try-Outs is a great early chapter book. The book contains a larger font, images scattered throughout, and the length isn't overwhelming. The book also contains a great life lessons - don't judge someone solely off their looks, determination, and thinking outside the box.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about following your dreams and persisting in the face of bullies. The action and illustrations were engaging for my 5 yo, and we enjoyed reading about how Fizz used his creativity to meet the challenges he faced.

[Tia Garrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute easy read

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebekah loved it so I wanted to read it so we could read the second one together! Super cute book. Loved the lessons and the illustrations.

[Amanda B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent chapter book for young readers. Had my young reader and pre-reader shouting at the end - 'Go Fizz!'

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book. Always good to see what the kids are reading.

[Jennifer Muzzio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, read to Zach
He loved it (age 4) and couldn't wait for the next one.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great early chapter book for grades 1-2, especially 1. The pictures are great and I think the students will enjoy this entire series.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun early fiction series featuring Fizz, who is one very spunky little dog!