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The Pancake Problem
Fans of Narwhal and Jelly will love this laugh-out-loud graphic a pancake adventure with Weenie, Frank and Beans featuring wiener dog smooches, a huge pile of stinky brussels sprouts and a whole lot of syrup.
Weenie loves his human, Bob. He loves his guinea pig friend Beans and his cat friend Frank. He loves naps, adventures and sharing. In fact, Weenie loves pretty much everything (except brussels sprouts).
And Weenie SUPER LOVES pancakes. Maybe too much. When the SuperSonic Pancake Maker malfunctions, Weenie knows exactly what to do! Sort of . . .
Weenie loves his human, Bob. He loves his guinea pig friend Beans and his cat friend Frank. He loves naps, adventures and sharing. In fact, Weenie loves pretty much everything (except brussels sprouts).
And Weenie SUPER LOVES pancakes. Maybe too much. When the SuperSonic Pancake Maker malfunctions, Weenie knows exactly what to do! Sort of . . .
48 pages, Hardcover
Published January 24, 2023
2 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Maureen Fergus
30 books119 followersAuthor also writes as M.L. Fergus
Maureen Fergus's books for young people have been translated into more than a dozen languages, optioned for film and adapted for stage. They've been shortlisted and won many regional, national and international awards. Maureen also writes epic romantasy novels for older readers under the name M.L.Fergus. In addition to being a writer, Maureen has degrees in science and business, and she has held senior management positions in the aerospace, biopharmaceutical and financial services industries. She lives in Winnipeg, Canada with her family.
Maureen Fergus's books for young people have been translated into more than a dozen languages, optioned for film and adapted for stage. They've been shortlisted and won many regional, national and international awards. Maureen also writes epic romantasy novels for older readers under the name M.L.Fergus. In addition to being a writer, Maureen has degrees in science and business, and she has held senior management positions in the aerospace, biopharmaceutical and financial services industries. She lives in Winnipeg, Canada with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 20, 2022
Reads like comic strips and that's why I love this series more now.
The second in the series, it doesn't disappoint.
The comic is hilarious featuring Frank and Beans, our beloved dog and cat funky characters.
The story teaches some important bodily functions when it comes to the gut and digestion. However, learning is always fun when it comes as a funny comic series with some cute but crazy animal characters. Isn't it?
Thank you, Penguin Random House Canada, for the advance reading copy.
The second in the series, it doesn't disappoint.
The comic is hilarious featuring Frank and Beans, our beloved dog and cat funky characters.
The story teaches some important bodily functions when it comes to the gut and digestion. However, learning is always fun when it comes as a funny comic series with some cute but crazy animal characters. Isn't it?
Thank you, Penguin Random House Canada, for the advance reading copy.
January 3, 2023
This was a really cute story with fun illustrations! Weenie is a hilarious dog with a huge penchant for getting in trouble and ignoring the rules and Frank & Beans are the perfect sidekicks who try to street him on the right path, and not only do they often fail [with hilarious results], they are more likely than not themselves to get caught up in the shenanigans that are going on [much to their dismay], which just leads to more hilarity.
Absolutely no life lessons here, just laugh out loud hilarity and fun [AND maybe the lesson of what NOT to do LOL]. This is a fun series and I am looking forward to the next one in the series should it continue.
Thank you to Maureen Fergus, Alexandra Bye - Illustrator and Penguin Random House Canada/Tundra Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
** My only issue with this book was the formatting. The previous one was fine, but this one had really wonky formatting and even though I know its an ARC, it would be nice to be able to EASILY read it [instead of having to do all sorts of tricks to get it read correctly]. Thankfully I finagled it well enough to get it read, but I would have loved it to be a little bit easier and had all the pages the right way to make it easier to read. It was funny, but I feel I didn't get the full feel of the story because of the wonky formatting.**
Absolutely no life lessons here, just laugh out loud hilarity and fun [AND maybe the lesson of what NOT to do LOL]. This is a fun series and I am looking forward to the next one in the series should it continue.
Thank you to Maureen Fergus, Alexandra Bye - Illustrator and Penguin Random House Canada/Tundra Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
** My only issue with this book was the formatting. The previous one was fine, but this one had really wonky formatting and even though I know its an ARC, it would be nice to be able to EASILY read it [instead of having to do all sorts of tricks to get it read correctly]. Thankfully I finagled it well enough to get it read, but I would have loved it to be a little bit easier and had all the pages the right way to make it easier to read. It was funny, but I feel I didn't get the full feel of the story because of the wonky formatting.**
April 20, 2023
I love Weenie, Frank and Beans! These books are short, fun and totally hilarious. The illustrations are full of personality and really add to the fun of the stories. Perfect for the youngest graphic novel fans, especially if they love Blue, Barry and Pancakes or Pea, Bee and Jay.
December 27, 2023
Just as adorable as the first book! These characters are so much fun to read about, and the humour is so sweet and funny! I can't wait to read another volume!
June 16, 2023
The book is really good! I would recommend it to kids who are starting to read, but who cares? You can read whatever you want! 🙂
February 13, 2024
Pancakes and brussels sprouts hit inventing adventure with a furry three-some to adore.
Weenie wakes up one morning and is very hungry, and he's more than happy to share this with his best friends, Frank and Beans. There's only one way to solve the problem—wake up their owner and have him make pancakes. But this doesn't work out quite as hoped, leaving Weenie to figure out how to make pancakes on his own. Weenie might be more intelligent than he appears, but he still ends up in an unexpected predicament, which might end up in a huge disaster.
These three friends are such a fun group. With a dog, cat, and guinea pig, they create quite the mix, especially since each one carries a distinct personality...except for maybe Bean, who makes up for that with cuteness. Weenie's hyper character steers into ridiculousness with ease, while Frank juxtaposes perfectly with a more serious tone. If the banter between the two weren't enough, Weenie's full of great...or not so great...ideas and carries imaginative surprises to add extra zest. It's easy to get drawn into their adventure and feel the excitement, hesitation, and curiosity right along with them.
The illustrations are bright and bold with easy-to-read speech bubbles. Sometimes, the text is very light, while other moments offer more. It gives a nice back and forth to work on reading skills, offering pauses before frustration can mount. There's also a bit of vocabulary building to help those word skills. The images allow the personalities to shine and humor to sit. There are also comical diagrams sprinkled in to add extra smiles and giggles.
It's a fun tale with ridiculous moments and a bit of adventure to keep the reader wondering if everything will work out. It fits the age group nicely, while advancing reading skills in a way, which won't scare away more reluctant readers. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to this bunch next because it's sure to be a surprise.
Weenie wakes up one morning and is very hungry, and he's more than happy to share this with his best friends, Frank and Beans. There's only one way to solve the problem—wake up their owner and have him make pancakes. But this doesn't work out quite as hoped, leaving Weenie to figure out how to make pancakes on his own. Weenie might be more intelligent than he appears, but he still ends up in an unexpected predicament, which might end up in a huge disaster.
These three friends are such a fun group. With a dog, cat, and guinea pig, they create quite the mix, especially since each one carries a distinct personality...except for maybe Bean, who makes up for that with cuteness. Weenie's hyper character steers into ridiculousness with ease, while Frank juxtaposes perfectly with a more serious tone. If the banter between the two weren't enough, Weenie's full of great...or not so great...ideas and carries imaginative surprises to add extra zest. It's easy to get drawn into their adventure and feel the excitement, hesitation, and curiosity right along with them.
The illustrations are bright and bold with easy-to-read speech bubbles. Sometimes, the text is very light, while other moments offer more. It gives a nice back and forth to work on reading skills, offering pauses before frustration can mount. There's also a bit of vocabulary building to help those word skills. The images allow the personalities to shine and humor to sit. There are also comical diagrams sprinkled in to add extra smiles and giggles.
It's a fun tale with ridiculous moments and a bit of adventure to keep the reader wondering if everything will work out. It fits the age group nicely, while advancing reading skills in a way, which won't scare away more reluctant readers. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to this bunch next because it's sure to be a surprise.
April 3, 2023
(Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for review through Library Thing's Early Reviewers program.)
Weenie the wiener dog is no ordinary dachshund. Sure, he attacks couch cushions and eats his human's favorite shoes, much like a regular dog, but he's also a Renaissance Pup. He can talk. And host yard sales. And invent machines that spit out Brussels sprouts where pancakes should be. But let me back up for a second.
Weenie lives a comfortable life; he shares a home with a cat named Frank and a guinea pig called Beans - and their human Bob, of course. Bob's a nice guy who only has but one rule: weekends are for sleeping in. So when a very hungry Weenie is left to fend for himself, things go sideways fast. Enter: a humongous pile of Brussels sprouts. This is one situation Weenie can't eat himself out of, though; have you ever tasted a Brussels sprout? (Gross.)
The second book in a series, THE PANCAKE PROBLEM is a super-cute graphic novel for kids. (I'm an adult who used to be owned by a wiener dog, so I think I fit the demographic too.) While THE PANCAKE PROBLEM isn't quite as charming as MAD ABOUT MEATLOAF, it's a fun read nonetheless. And you can't go wrong with a wiener dog, am I right?
Weenie the wiener dog is no ordinary dachshund. Sure, he attacks couch cushions and eats his human's favorite shoes, much like a regular dog, but he's also a Renaissance Pup. He can talk. And host yard sales. And invent machines that spit out Brussels sprouts where pancakes should be. But let me back up for a second.
Weenie lives a comfortable life; he shares a home with a cat named Frank and a guinea pig called Beans - and their human Bob, of course. Bob's a nice guy who only has but one rule: weekends are for sleeping in. So when a very hungry Weenie is left to fend for himself, things go sideways fast. Enter: a humongous pile of Brussels sprouts. This is one situation Weenie can't eat himself out of, though; have you ever tasted a Brussels sprout? (Gross.)
The second book in a series, THE PANCAKE PROBLEM is a super-cute graphic novel for kids. (I'm an adult who used to be owned by a wiener dog, so I think I fit the demographic too.) While THE PANCAKE PROBLEM isn't quite as charming as MAD ABOUT MEATLOAF, it's a fun read nonetheless. And you can't go wrong with a wiener dog, am I right?
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November 21, 2023A funny graphic novel featuring a fun, pancake loving, trouble making wiener dog (Weenie), and his fellow pets Frank (a grumpy, responsible no nonsense cat), and Beans, the inquisitive curious hamster always asking questions.
As this book uses fewer and smaller words, it could be an excellent read for early readers, or also those who like a good graphic novel.
The pancake problem is a funny story involving Weenie's shenanigans in which Frank and Beans find themselves tagging along. Both adventure and friendship are portrayed as Weenie's appetite for pancakes has him discovering his distaste for Brussel sprouts, concocting new inventions (such as the much desirable pancake making machine), becoming a sales dog (as well as an artist), and getting kicked out of an art gallery- all of which his owner Bob is completely oblivious to. His friends stick close to him, encouraging his good ideas and trying to get him to rethink his not so good ones.
The story was engaging and the pictures were fun and creatively entertaining (such as the anatomy of a dog which includes Weenie's extra stomachs and the blueprints for his pancake machine). This was a laugh out loud classic which I'm sure a number of young readers will enjoy. Would recommend for the Sun Dogs.
July 23, 2022
If you want to encourage a beginning reader, The Pancake Problem is the perfect choice for him or her. Written in graphic, comic book style, it’s a chapter book that tells the story of Weenie, his friends Frank and Beans, and his long suffering owner Bob. Because Bob likes to sleep late on the weekends, Weenie constructs the Supersonic Pancake Maker. There’s one problem: it only makes Brussels sprouts. Lots of them. The story follows the three friends desperate attempts to get rid of the “stinky” sprouts. Although they try increasingly creative methods, nothing works until Bob surprises them.
The Pancake Problem is well written and illustrated and just silly enough. Parents can read it out loud to preschoolers and watch their early readers enjoy it by themselves. This is Book #2 in a series, so be sure to look for #1! 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada, Maureen Fergus and Alexandra Bye for this ARC.
The Pancake Problem is well written and illustrated and just silly enough. Parents can read it out loud to preschoolers and watch their early readers enjoy it by themselves. This is Book #2 in a series, so be sure to look for #1! 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada, Maureen Fergus and Alexandra Bye for this ARC.
November 8, 2022
This was a very colorfully illustrated book that captures the events as it happens in this book about Wennie with friends Frank and Beans also Wennie’s owner/dad, Bob. This is a first reader type book.... might require a little coaching the first time or two.(learning to follow the bubbles). Bob doesn’t have many rules but Rule#1 don’t wake Bob on Sunday mornings and Rule #2 refer to rule#1.. well Wennie has a little trouble with that one seeing as Wennie woke up so hungry for pancakes she remembered the rules and didn’t wake up Bob until things had gotten so messed up. It was one fun fiasco after another. You and your little one are bound to get the giggles when reading this one. You will just just have to read it yourself to find out what happens when it is published 24 Jan 2023..Thanks to #NetGalley, #PenguinRandomHouseCanada, #MaureenFergus, and #ThePancakeProblem for the opportunity to review early.
April 2, 2023
It's Saturday morning and Weenie is "Famished" (new word with definition). Bob has stated that Rule #1 is not to wake him up early on the weekends, but Weenie is so hungry. Nothing he does satisfies his hunger until he invents something that he thinks will solve his problem. Unfortunately, his invention only makes the problem worse, and then it becomes the problem.
Weenie is once again in trouble with Frank egging him on and Beans trying to help him see reason. The lesson in this story is not as clear cut as in the first book, but there are certainly lots of rules to help him figure out the difference between right and wrong, while subverting the rules only seems to make things worse. The illustrations in the book are cute and the story is fun. Overall, The Pancake Problem is an enjoyable story to read.
Weenie is once again in trouble with Frank egging him on and Beans trying to help him see reason. The lesson in this story is not as clear cut as in the first book, but there are certainly lots of rules to help him figure out the difference between right and wrong, while subverting the rules only seems to make things worse. The illustrations in the book are cute and the story is fun. Overall, The Pancake Problem is an enjoyable story to read.
October 2, 2022
This fun early chapter book/graphic novel is the second in the series and is bound to draw in young readers. With hilarious characters, bright and silly illustrations and speech bubbles that are not cramped or overwhelming, this book is perfect for its target audience. Broken into 6 short chapters, at less than 50 pages, this book is the perfect transitionary book for readers who are ready to move from picture books to longer texts but not quite ready to move into chapter books with overwhelming amounts of text. As a grade 3 teacher, I could definitely see this book becoming a favourite in my classroom library. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this fun book!
September 17, 2022
I thought that this was an enjoyable book!
It was a fun comic strip type book so it stands out from a lot of the books out there at the moment - this is the second in the series and it was just as much fun as the first!
The story was easy to follow and it was fun to read with my daughter and she loved all the characters! It was a fun story that had her giggling and that for me as a mum was lovely - I am glad she enjoyed it as much as I did - and in her words - cheeky Weenie!!
It is four stars from me for this one – highly recommended!
It was a fun comic strip type book so it stands out from a lot of the books out there at the moment - this is the second in the series and it was just as much fun as the first!
The story was easy to follow and it was fun to read with my daughter and she loved all the characters! It was a fun story that had her giggling and that for me as a mum was lovely - I am glad she enjoyed it as much as I did - and in her words - cheeky Weenie!!
It is four stars from me for this one – highly recommended!
September 29, 2022
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
My daughter had read the first book in the series, and loved it, she was delighted to have an advanced copy of book 2. Weenie the hotdog is simply adorable, and the story is also very funny. Why doesn't he like brussels sprouts though (roasted brussels sprout is my favourite vegetable! ), it can be quite delicious when done right. My daughter wants to add she also has an extra pancake stomach just like Weenie.
My daughter had read the first book in the series, and loved it, she was delighted to have an advanced copy of book 2. Weenie the hotdog is simply adorable, and the story is also very funny. Why doesn't he like brussels sprouts though (roasted brussels sprout is my favourite vegetable! ), it can be quite delicious when done right. My daughter wants to add she also has an extra pancake stomach just like Weenie.
October 22, 2022
Another fun installment in the Weenie featuring Frank and Beans series. I love the layout of this book, 6 short chapters, the text bubbles have white backgrounds have tons of space around the black lettering. That makes it much easier for my color blind family member to read.
I love brussel sprouts so I would gladly take Weenie's Supersonic Pancake Maker off his hands (this will make more sense when you read the book). I also loved Weenie's backup stomachs, I feel like we all have one for our favorite foods.
I love brussel sprouts so I would gladly take Weenie's Supersonic Pancake Maker off his hands (this will make more sense when you read the book). I also loved Weenie's backup stomachs, I feel like we all have one for our favorite foods.
January 30, 2023
'Weenie featuring Frank & Beans: The Pancake Problem' by Maureen Fergus with illustrations by Alexandra Bye is a graphic novel for younger readers featuring funny animals and breakfast foods.
When the pets wake up hungry, they decide to wake up Bob, their owner. Bob has rules about this, so Weenie decides to fire up his invention: the supersonic pancake maker. When the invention goes awry, the pets have to solve the problem before Bob wakes up.
This is a funny story with fun characters that young readers should like. The art is pretty great too.
When the pets wake up hungry, they decide to wake up Bob, their owner. Bob has rules about this, so Weenie decides to fire up his invention: the supersonic pancake maker. When the invention goes awry, the pets have to solve the problem before Bob wakes up.
This is a funny story with fun characters that young readers should like. The art is pretty great too.
March 31, 2023
I adore Weenie and his friends, Frank the Cat and Beans the Guinea Pig. In this second book, Weenie wants pancakes. Shenanigans ensue. Maureen Fergus’s story is entertaining and Alexandra Bye’s illustrations are fun and colorful. If you have a young reader who loves Narwhal and Jelly, this would be a good series for them. I’m a huge fan of both.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review from the publisher through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program. The opinions are entirely my own.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review from the publisher through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program. The opinions are entirely my own.
November 4, 2023
Me and my children enjoyed this story with all the characters within. It about a dog, cat, and guinea pig that have a problem with getting pancakes for breakfast. The dog name is Weenie. The cat name is Frank. And the guinea pig is Beans.
This was a fun graphics story to read. It had action, adventure and surprises. It had quite a bit of giggles and laughs within. The illustrations went well with the story and were colorful to.
I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
This was a fun graphics story to read. It had action, adventure and surprises. It had quite a bit of giggles and laughs within. The illustrations went well with the story and were colorful to.
I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
April 21, 2025
Weenie, Frank, and Beans are easily the most adorable animal trio there is. I love Weenie's go getter strategy for problem solving. Not to be intimidated by consequences, Weenie takes on each challenge as it comes with funny results. Beans as the voice of reason is great too. Frank is very definitely every subtle instigator cat currently roaming planet earth and I love it. The words are easy enough for beginning chapter book readers and it's paired with vibrant illustrations. This is a funny easy read for kids with characters you'll love and want to follow.
August 29, 2022
This is a fun beginning reader graphic novel. The story is simple and easy to follow with lots of repeated words, like pancakes. Weenie is a dachshund who is over excited and forgets things. Things like not wake Bob on a weekend, or that he sold all of Bob’s furniture at a garage sale. This book has some great laughs. Even reluctant readers will want to keep turning the pages to see what happens next.
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January 22, 2023Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
This is an adorable graphic novel for early beginning readers. Starring Weenie, a little wiener dog with a large appetite for pancakes, his cat friend Frank and his guinea pig friend Beans, this is a great book for fans of Narwhal and Jelly and the Scholastic Acorn and Branches series.
This is an adorable graphic novel for early beginning readers. Starring Weenie, a little wiener dog with a large appetite for pancakes, his cat friend Frank and his guinea pig friend Beans, this is a great book for fans of Narwhal and Jelly and the Scholastic Acorn and Branches series.
February 6, 2024
A short comic book style kids book about a pancake loving weiner dog. Only one gross joke which is just a giggle about someone saying #2 when talking about a list. The characters are fun and cute. The story is funny with the characters playing off each other and Weenie pretty much doing crazy things in the pursuit of pancakes.
March 24, 2024
Kids will love this silly graphic novel about a pancake-loving weenie dog who will do anything to get pancakes, including inventing a pancake making machine. The ridiculously outrageous events in the story will appeal to kids. This book is similar to a mashup of Narwhal & Jelly combined with Stick Dog.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
October 28, 2022
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This is a fun read. My kids love graphic novels; so I know they’ll get a kick out of this book. The pet names are great! Even though Weenie did some dumb stuff at times; the other animals were behind him.
December 19, 2022
A funny comic strip about Bob's 3 pets: Weenie, Frank & Beans. This time Weenie is hungry, but Bob refuses to wake up and make him pancake. So the story goes. An imaginative one but funny and entertaining. This book might help your kids start reading books or keep them occupied reading one.
February 24, 2023
Honestly, I haven't seen early graphic novels do well in the library I work at. It's fanciful and fun but I can't say the kiddos are into it like they are into Stilton or the longer Melly Bean books. This sequel was cute but it didn't stand out or anything.
March 3, 2023
Graphic Novel
Mid-elementary level readers will love the humor in the newest Weenie, Frank and Beans story. Short chapters are easy to follow and the illustrations offer context for struggling readers.
Mid-elementary level readers will love the humor in the newest Weenie, Frank and Beans story. Short chapters are easy to follow and the illustrations offer context for struggling readers.
July 6, 2025
The Pancake Problem follows 3 pets, a weenie dog (the trouble maker), a cat (the trouble makers accomplice) and a guinea pig (the only one trying to turn things around!) My kids laughed hysterically at the escapades that ensued! We can't wait for more stories in this series!
February 8, 2023
This was even cuter than the first one!
February 14, 2023
Again, so so cute.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews