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Dear Beast #2
Dear Beast: The Pet Parade
It's time for the annual city pet parade! Only one pet can win first place . . . Simon the cat has always hated wearing costumes, so he decides it's okay for Andy's new dog, Baxter, to march with Andy instead. This way, Simon gets to avoid a costume and keep his dignity.
But when Baxter keeps the costume plans a secret, Simon changes his mind. His boy Andy needs him! Who knows what trouble Baxter is up to? That beast can't be trusted--and it's Simon's job to save the day.
But when Baxter keeps the costume plans a secret, Simon changes his mind. His boy Andy needs him! Who knows what trouble Baxter is up to? That beast can't be trusted--and it's Simon's job to save the day.
80 pages, Hardcover
Published February 2, 2021
3 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Dori Hillestad Butler
70 books138 followersDori Hillestad Butler is an American author of more than 40 children's books, as well as magazine stories, plays and educational materials. Her first book, The Great Tooth Fairy Rip-Off, was published in 1997. She is known particularly for The Truth about Truman School, a 2008 young adult title focusing on the subject of cyber bullying, and for My Mom's Having a Baby (illustrated by Carol Thompson), which in 2011 appeared on the American Library Association's list of most commonly challenged books in the United States for its portrayal of conception and childbirth. Her 2010 mystery title, Buddy Files: Case of the Last Boy, won the 2011 Edgar Award for the best juvenile mystery published in 2010. Before becoming a children's author, Butler worked for three years as a page at a library.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 11, 2021
A graphic novel in epistolary form is an effective way to contrast the innate differences between dogs and cats. It also lends itself to other fun additions like the snail delivering the mail and correspondence with other animals like Bubbles the goldfish, Stinky the neighborhood skunk, Cheeks the squirrel, and Edgar Allen Crow. In this second book about Simon and Baxter a pet parade is coming up. Simon thinks he wants to dump parade duty on Baxter (who happily jumps at the chance), but then realizes he really wants to be in the parade this year. He pulls out all his best tricks to derail the plan until he finds a good reason to let Andy take Baxter. I love the artwork, clever little letters, and Baxter's creativity with spelling (glossary included). Looking forward to #3.
Thank you to Holiday House for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Holiday House for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
October 19, 2021
First sentence: Dear Baxter, It has come to my attention that the city pet parade is coming up. I have marched in many parades with Andy. This year, as a sign of our friendship, I would like to invite you to march in my place. What do you say? Sincerely, Simon
Premise/plot: Simon (the black cat) continues his correspondence with 'the Beast' (aka Baxter the dog) in the second book in the series. In this one, there is a pet parade. Owners and pets dress up in costume and have a parade. Simon would LOVE to have Baxter take his place in the parade. (I get a feeling Simon really doesn't like wearing costumes!) But Simon is also a curious cat, and as the plans for the parade are kept very hush, hush...Simon gets frustrated and upset. Maybe HE should be in the parade after all????
My thoughts: I liked this one. I liked all three books. I love the personalities of the characters. Simon and Baxter are cute and charming. Though Simon would hate to be called CUTE or CHARMING. The two definitely have distinct personalities which is essential, in my opinion.
Premise/plot: Simon (the black cat) continues his correspondence with 'the Beast' (aka Baxter the dog) in the second book in the series. In this one, there is a pet parade. Owners and pets dress up in costume and have a parade. Simon would LOVE to have Baxter take his place in the parade. (I get a feeling Simon really doesn't like wearing costumes!) But Simon is also a curious cat, and as the plans for the parade are kept very hush, hush...Simon gets frustrated and upset. Maybe HE should be in the parade after all????
My thoughts: I liked this one. I liked all three books. I love the personalities of the characters. Simon and Baxter are cute and charming. Though Simon would hate to be called CUTE or CHARMING. The two definitely have distinct personalities which is essential, in my opinion.
May 21, 2021
Simon, the cat and Baxter, the dog, have become friends, sort of. Simon doesn't really want to be in the city pet parade with his boy, Andy, and is thrilled to have Baxter do it. At least until Baxter refuses to tell him what his costume is going to be. After numerous letters and spying, Simon discovers what Baxter and Andy are dressing as and decides he wants to in the parade after all, despite disasters from previous years. In this second volume in the Dear Beast series, the two pets diverse personalities shine through loud and clear. The letters are amusing and the illustrations wonderfully compliment them. A delightful entry in a fun series.
February 14, 2021
Dear reader, did you know that some pets and animals in backyards and front yards write letters to each other? They are very nice letters, as you can see for yourself in Dear Beast. How do they deliver their notes? Often by the efforts of snail mail.
Hip hip hooray for the pet parade. Andy has marched in the parade several times. He dresses up in costume. Simon his pet cat has paraded with him, not because he wants to but because Andy wants him to. This year Simon writes Baxter the pet dog a letter. This fun dog loves to play. He is nicknamed Beast. Simon's letter is an invitation for Beast to join Andy this year. That way Simon will not have to dress in costume and go. Will Beast accept? Or will he have a bone to pick?
In a back and forth of letters, preparations for this year's costume parade get started. There is much excitement and curiosity. Simon writes Beast that he wants to know more, but details drag. The cat decides to investigate among Andy's other pet animals and even animals in the yard. They are very clever with their animal instincts in the different ways they uncover clues and write back with their information about what they think is happening.
At the heart of this story is how much the animals love their boy Andy. They want his parade to be a happy one. Their love is matched by the love Andy feels for all the animals, and how he enjoys special and different times with them. The letters between the animals are all so funny. They like to joke and laugh and tease. Each letter writer puts their own personality into what they write. And through it all you can read between the lines to recognize how much the animals care for each other too. They are a community.
By the time you finish reading Dear Beast, you'll want to sit and write a letter of your own to a pet or to an animal you know in your neighborhood. There aren't as many letters now as there used to be, but a letter is a wonderful way to make someone else feel good. Maybe you can be one of us who make more letters in the world.
Illustrations by Kevan Atteberry are truly a delight on every page. They picture each character with such expression. The pictures of each of the letters show hints about the character doing the writing. Seeing the illustrations enhances the fun of the story.
The Pet Parade is the second of three books in the adorable Dear Beast series by Award winning children's Author Dori Hillestad Butler. Her own grandkitty Simon was the inspiration behind the character in this series. You'll see more on her website on this and the 55 children's books she's written, kidswriter.com There are wonderful resources too for teachers, parents, and others with children in their lives. There's fun information for kids too. They can even write a letter online to some of the characters.
Hip hip hooray for the pet parade. Andy has marched in the parade several times. He dresses up in costume. Simon his pet cat has paraded with him, not because he wants to but because Andy wants him to. This year Simon writes Baxter the pet dog a letter. This fun dog loves to play. He is nicknamed Beast. Simon's letter is an invitation for Beast to join Andy this year. That way Simon will not have to dress in costume and go. Will Beast accept? Or will he have a bone to pick?
In a back and forth of letters, preparations for this year's costume parade get started. There is much excitement and curiosity. Simon writes Beast that he wants to know more, but details drag. The cat decides to investigate among Andy's other pet animals and even animals in the yard. They are very clever with their animal instincts in the different ways they uncover clues and write back with their information about what they think is happening.
At the heart of this story is how much the animals love their boy Andy. They want his parade to be a happy one. Their love is matched by the love Andy feels for all the animals, and how he enjoys special and different times with them. The letters between the animals are all so funny. They like to joke and laugh and tease. Each letter writer puts their own personality into what they write. And through it all you can read between the lines to recognize how much the animals care for each other too. They are a community.
By the time you finish reading Dear Beast, you'll want to sit and write a letter of your own to a pet or to an animal you know in your neighborhood. There aren't as many letters now as there used to be, but a letter is a wonderful way to make someone else feel good. Maybe you can be one of us who make more letters in the world.
Illustrations by Kevan Atteberry are truly a delight on every page. They picture each character with such expression. The pictures of each of the letters show hints about the character doing the writing. Seeing the illustrations enhances the fun of the story.
The Pet Parade is the second of three books in the adorable Dear Beast series by Award winning children's Author Dori Hillestad Butler. Her own grandkitty Simon was the inspiration behind the character in this series. You'll see more on her website on this and the 55 children's books she's written, kidswriter.com There are wonderful resources too for teachers, parents, and others with children in their lives. There's fun information for kids too. They can even write a letter online to some of the characters.
March 18, 2021
Simon is a bit of a sourpuss and Baxter - his nemesis - needs to work on his spelling. Simon, by the way is a cat and Dexter is - you guessed it - a dog. They both belong to Andy but they live at different houses because Andy's parents are divorced. I think. Dexter (aka Beast) lives at Dad's house along with Bubbles the goldfish. The annual pet parade is the subject of a series of letters written back and forth between Simon and Dexter. Andy has always marched in the Pet Parade with a very reluctant Simon but this year he will be marching with a very eager Baxter. Simon is writing letters to Baxter encouraging him to do a good job in the parade and help Andy win a medal. Dexter responds enthusiastically with many misspelled words though the author does include a glossary in the back with correct spellings included. Simon is frantic to learn what costumes Andy and Dexter will be wearing in the parade so he writes letters to a supporting cast of animals asking for their help. My favorite was the postman Snail who delivers the letters closely followed by Edgar Allan Crow. Stinky the skunk, Cheeks the squirrel, and Bubbles also make brief appearances. By the end of the book, Simon has reached a certain level of contentment with Andy's relationship to Dexter and resolved a lot of his jealousy.
The book is cute - it has a bit of a graphic novel feel to it because the dialogue and story are all in letters written back and forth between the characters. This also provides a nice introduction to epistolary writing for kids just moving into chapter books. I think it would make an excellent classroom read aloud with a letter writing activity included. This is book #2 in the series.
The book is cute - it has a bit of a graphic novel feel to it because the dialogue and story are all in letters written back and forth between the characters. This also provides a nice introduction to epistolary writing for kids just moving into chapter books. I think it would make an excellent classroom read aloud with a letter writing activity included. This is book #2 in the series.
May 2, 2021
Digital illustrations created with Photoshop complement a correspondence between a dog and a cat, two family pets belonging to Andy. The images capture the personalities of the two writers as well as containing little touches such as a green snail literally delivering the posts to their intended recipients--a visual representation of what is known today as "snail mail." This book and the letters follow up on the success of the previous Dear Beast. In this installment, the ever-so-proper and somewhat stilted Simon writes to Baxter (also known as Beast) in order to obtain information about his involvement in the upcoming Pet Parade. It quickly becomes clear that Simon is having second thoughts about his own lack of enthusiasm for participation, and he pumps others, including Bubbles, Stinky, and Cheeks for information once the correspondence hits a bump over his insistence on proper grammar and correct spelling. The letters are amusing, and the characters are appealing, combining to make this book and series just right for early readers. Parents, caregivers, and teachers might enjoy sharing this one aloud if they use the correct voices or even using it as part of a series of lessons on letter writing. Surely, there are still individuals out there who write letters and send postcards. If not, this book just might encourage a revival of interest in doing so.
September 26, 2022
Simon the cat is grandly offering for Baxter to take his place in the Pet Parade with their human Andy this year. (Simon HATES being in the Pet Parade, so he's very happy Baxter can go instead this year.) But as the letters flow back and forth, Baxter refuses to reveal what his costume is going to be. Simon then resorts to writing others asking if they know what the costume will be, and when Simon finds out jealousy just might triumph reason. Or will it?
This whole book is all written in the form of letters with very occasional in person conversations done graphic novel style with speech bubbles. Simon has to deal with some jealousy, but a good friend helps get him back on the right course. Baxter's spelling is atrocious (which Simon likes to point out to him) and there's a guide for reading his letters in the back of the book. In an era when actual letter writing is very rare, this series helps teach young readers the basics of proper letter format, while also sharing a funny pet and animal story. My favorite character is the snail who delivers the letters and is almost brought to tears of joy when a letter gets sent to him. So cute and sweet. (A reminder for us to thank the people who do jobs we might take for granted.)
This whole book is all written in the form of letters with very occasional in person conversations done graphic novel style with speech bubbles. Simon has to deal with some jealousy, but a good friend helps get him back on the right course. Baxter's spelling is atrocious (which Simon likes to point out to him) and there's a guide for reading his letters in the back of the book. In an era when actual letter writing is very rare, this series helps teach young readers the basics of proper letter format, while also sharing a funny pet and animal story. My favorite character is the snail who delivers the letters and is almost brought to tears of joy when a letter gets sent to him. So cute and sweet. (A reminder for us to thank the people who do jobs we might take for granted.)
September 29, 2022
It's time for the annual Pet Parade again, but this time Simon doesn't have to be in it. Andy has Baxter now, so Baxter can take over costume duty for Simon because the Pet Parade is not something Simon likes to do at all. But as Simon writes to ask Baxter what he and Andy will dress up as this year, Baxter won't tell. This all has Simon really curious, especially because from what he's heard from others, their costumes sound really good. Simon hates the pet parade, but why is he so curious about it all of a sudden?
I liked this book more than the first one. As the letters go back and forth between Simon and Baxter, we come to understand more of what's going on with Simon and why he has changed his mind about the parade.
I liked this book more than the first one. As the letters go back and forth between Simon and Baxter, we come to understand more of what's going on with Simon and why he has changed his mind about the parade.
May 11, 2021
Bright illustrations by Kevan Atteberry and fun text by Dori Hillestad Butler are paired well in this lighter chapter book for the early chapter book crowd! The banter between the pets and the wild animals is adorable as is the spelling (there is a glossary) shared in the letters by Beast, the dog. The writing allows us to see the distinctly different behaviors common for the animals, especially the cat Simon and the dog Beast. I am certain my students will love this one!
Teachers, the art of letter writing is not lost! Pair this book up with a letter writing campaign in your local community. There are many folks to write to: restaurants, senior centers, hospital Child Life departments, and local attractions would be my first thoughts. Teaching a life skill that is too often unused might be fun!
Teachers, the art of letter writing is not lost! Pair this book up with a letter writing campaign in your local community. There are many folks to write to: restaurants, senior centers, hospital Child Life departments, and local attractions would be my first thoughts. Teaching a life skill that is too often unused might be fun!
July 31, 2020
This year's pet parade is not far away, and Simon would love to know what his fellow pet Baxter and their human will dress up as. Time to write some letters!
I never read an epistolary picture book before, and liked the concept a lot. There is a snail that delivers the mail, and it's not only between those three characters, but different animals like the squirrell living in the trees in front of the house get a spot, too.
Every person has their own distinct writing style, which in Baxters case means a very specific way of spelling things. The goldfish uses tons of ellipses, and so on.
I think it would be fun for a reader just starting out, in that stage when chapter books are far too intimidating yet.
I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for a honest rewiev.
I never read an epistolary picture book before, and liked the concept a lot. There is a snail that delivers the mail, and it's not only between those three characters, but different animals like the squirrell living in the trees in front of the house get a spot, too.
Every person has their own distinct writing style, which in Baxters case means a very specific way of spelling things. The goldfish uses tons of ellipses, and so on.
I think it would be fun for a reader just starting out, in that stage when chapter books are far too intimidating yet.
I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for a honest rewiev.
February 19, 2022
Simon is glad that Baxter is around to take his place with Andy at the annual Pet Parade. Simon hates wearing costumes and tried every year to get out of the parade. Simon is more than happy to be in the pet parade ... in fact he is ecstatic! But Baxter refuses to tell Simon what costume he’ll be wearing at the parade ... he wants to build suspense. So Simon writes letters to his friends, trying to get someone to let him in on the secret. When Simon realizes that Baxter is dressing as Simon’s favorite character, Sherlock Holmes (Hound actually), Simon decides he should be the one to march in the parade with Andy. But Baxter refuses to give up his place in the parade.
March 24, 2021
Based on how this book was presented, I thoroughly enjoyed it! I like the pets writing to each other via letters and notes. I found each character unique and the style that they wrote in.
The one thing I wished was different was that correct spelling was used for the dog. I am dyslexic and teach other students who have dyslexia so I understand the struggle to read! I think reading from the dog’s perspective may be challenge. However I don’t think that should stop anybody from reading and enjoying this book.
The one thing I wished was different was that correct spelling was used for the dog. I am dyslexic and teach other students who have dyslexia so I understand the struggle to read! I think reading from the dog’s perspective may be challenge. However I don’t think that should stop anybody from reading and enjoying this book.
February 13, 2021
I am so excited that this series is continuing! I am really enjoying Simon and Baxter's unique--sometimes shaky--friendship and how much they love their Andy. We have some new characters here that add much chuckling and I hope we see more from this world. A quick, fun read.
For: dog/cat fans; readers looking for a quick book with unique storytelling (letters).
Possible red flags: much incorrect spelling--may be tricky for new readers; separated parents; bickering.
For: dog/cat fans; readers looking for a quick book with unique storytelling (letters).
Possible red flags: much incorrect spelling--may be tricky for new readers; separated parents; bickering.
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March 27, 2021Cat Simon is thrilled that Andy has a new dog (Baxter) to enter into the pet parade this year. But Baxter seems super excited for the pet parade, while Simon just wants to make sure that Baxter takes his role seriously. And when Simon discovers that Baxter gets to wear Simon's dream costume...Simon isn't so sure about their original decision after all.
Cute story told in back-and-forth letters between pets. Will appeal to animal fans.
Cute story told in back-and-forth letters between pets. Will appeal to animal fans.
March 8, 2021
Oh, so cute. Simon and Baxter continue writing letters back and forth (and include a few other neighborhood critters in their correspondence). I like how Baxter's writing continues to improve as he writes more, and I appreciate the lessons Simon learns about sharing and caring for your friends.
March 13, 2021
I love everything about this series. All the characters are awesome, as is the word play and the letters bouncing back and forth between all of them. I love the enhanced "Snail" bit in this one. The whole concept is so fun and a super story choice for the very young to early readers!
September 27, 2021
Even less enjoyable than the first. Not a series I'd have my child read again or one we'd recommend. Simon is tunnel focused on finding out what he wants to know and involves any animal he can think of to get him what he wants.
February 13, 2021
Just as funny as the first installment. Yay Ms. Butler.
June 7, 2021
LOTS of fun!
October 31, 2021
This is a really clever book. It would be great fun for beginning readers to read. It was recommended to me by my 2nd Grade grandson.
June 7, 2022
Written in note/letter form and very funny!
July 19, 2022
Love how this story turned out.
June 1, 2024
Baxter and I spell alike!
June 26, 2024
Funny book
August 1, 2025
Simon hates the Pet Parade! But that’s okay, because his boy has a new dog, Baxter, who can participate!! After many back and forth letters between the dog, the cat, and a few other neighborhood animals, Simon realizes that he’s jealous that Baxter will participate with his boy!
Can they find a solution that they’ll all be happy with? This book written in letters was cute and a big hit with my four year old!
Can they find a solution that they’ll all be happy with? This book written in letters was cute and a big hit with my four year old!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews