Buster the Very Shy Dog, More Adventures with Phoebe (Reader): Comical Tales About Backyard Mysteries and Friendship for Children (Ages 4-7)

by Lisze Bechtold

Two comical, easy-to-read capers starring shy-dog Buster and his bolder buddy Phoebe as they solve backyard mysteries involving skunks, raccoons, and buried “dog” treasure.

It’s backyard troubles galore for canine friends Buster and Phoebe in two easy-to-read adventures. The trouble begins when Buster and Phoebe get blamed for trashing the backyard and hatch a plan to find the real garbage bandit. But first they have to stay awake and keep away from skunks! Next, the pals search for buried “bone” treasures only to quibble about which bones belong to which dog. Buster may be shy but he’s smart enough to claim what’s rightfully his and kind enough to share it, too.

32 pages, Paperback

Published April 10, 2018

Reviews

[Scooter Reads]

I not understand. If you gonna hide bones, you gotta remember where dey are. Is better if just eat dem. No one can find when dey in your tummy. Also, I glad I not have little sister. Dey is annoying.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Buster liked to hide his bones in secret places.

Premise/plot: There are two Buster and Phoebe stories in this level three early reader. The first story is "Bone Finding." Phoebe and Buster both like to hide bones in the yard. Both dogs think they have very special, unique teeth marks to identify their bones. This story is about what happens when a new concrete patio (or sidewalk?) is poured in their back yard. ALL the bones get mixed up. (Some might even be gone FOREVER.) How will the dogs decide who gets what?! The second story is "Buster and Phoebe Meet the Garbage Bandit." In this one, the two dogs work together to solve a mystery. WHO is responsible for making a mess with the garbage?! Can these two discover who is REALLY to blame? How will they solve such a tricky case?!

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I like both Buster and Phoebe. The stories were fun if not timely. This past week we've had several skunk incidences. I do NOT like skunks.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buster the Very Shy Dog, More Adventures with Phoebe by Lisze Bechtold. PICTURE BOOK. Green Light Readers (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), 2018. $13. 9781328900906

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Buster and Phoebe’s dog adventures involve whose bones are whose and finding the garbage bandits. When their owner blames them unjustly, it takes both of them to find the real culprits.

This Level 3 book is an easy chapter book. The pictures are engaging, the story easy to follow. I quite liked it and plan to get more of the set for our library. I think they will be a hit.

Maureen, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good thing that Buster is good friends with Phoebe. He's a shy dog while Phoebe is an adventurous dog... and game for just about anything.

Complicating the story is a skunk. Is HE the garbage bandit?

Such a challenge. If you've ever assumed that a dog's life is bliss, learn otherwise from this book. Learn and laugh!

FIVE STARS for this offbeat doggie adventure, written and illustrated by talented Lisze Bechtold.

[Ina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This two chapter beginning reader is great fun. Buster and Phoebe get into and out of trouble with humor and easy to read text. The illustrations help with context and there is a real plot in both of these chapters. My one criticism is that "Bone Finding" is a rerun, having appeared in one of the previous books. But I'm not sure most kids would mind. I like that Phoebe has stopped bullying Buster and they have become quite a team, this is especially true in the second chapter when they team up to catch the "Garbage Bandits." There is a subtle twist at the end of the story that will make the reader smile. This series is great for beginning readers who are not quite ready for longer transitional chapter books.