The Pumpernickel-Daffodil

by Galia Bernstein

A misfit pup faces his first competitive dog show in this heartwarming and hilarious picture book about family, friendship, and being yourself, from Galia Bernstein, the acclaimed author-illustrator of I Am a Cat .

Wodehouse Chili Pepper Pumpernickel the Third has an important His mother is the famous Mathilda Lily-Rose Daffodil, and his father is the celebrated Wodehouse Chili Pepper Pumpernickel the Second. It’s a family of champions, blue-ribbon winners, and Bests in Show galore, and all of them agree that one day, he will be the best of them all! After all, he IS a Pumpernickel-Daffodil.

But when he gets his own human, neither feels so sure that they’re blue-ribbon material, and they both wonder if they’ll be top dog at their first competition. . .

From acclaimed author-illustrator Galia Bernstein comes a charming and hilarious story that celebrates kindred spirits and forging your own path.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Humor, Animals, Childrens, Family

40 pages, Hardcover

Published June 20, 2023

About the author

Galia Bernstein loves animals and has been studying and drawing them since she was two years old. She is the bestselling author of three picture books, which have been published in fifteen languages, and the illustrator of many more. Galia lives in Brooklyn, New York, with a very small dog and a large cat.


I am a Cat (2018)
Leyla (2019)
The Pumpernickel - Daffodil (2023)

Reviews

[Kathy Temean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable book. Love the characters. Wodehouse Chili Pepper Pumpernickel the Third has an important family. His mother is the famous Mathilda Lily-Rose Daffodil. And his father is the celebrated Wodehouse Chili Pepper Pumpernickel the Second. It’s a family of champions, blue-ribbon winners, and Bests in Show awards. Now all he needs is his own human to trot him around and collect his medals.

Isadora Alexandra Ball’s family are dog people. Her father is the best dog groomer and her mother and her mother's mother show dogs. When Isadora turns eight years old, they agreed it's time for her to get a show dog of her own. When Isadora meets Wodehouse Chili Pepper Pumpernickel the Third, it is love a first sight. Her mother is not so sure, until she reads the sign saying, "Wodehouse Chili Pepper Pumpernickel the Third." But they are just Izzy and Chili to each other.

This story is so cute. The illustrations are so loveable and so much fun. I love how Izzy's shoe comes off while running Chili around the ring and Chili retrieves it to stick it back on her foot. I was oohing and aahing along with the show's audience and laughed and giggled when Izzy was turned around and trotting in the wrong direction. The crowd that was hysterical and so did I. They didn't win a medal, but her parents, Chili's parents, and everyone else thought they were amazing.

Galia Bernstein's illustrations are perfect for this book. I love the technique she used to create Izzy's wild hair. So much fun!

[Charlotte S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wodehouse Chili Pepper Pumpernickel the Third comes from a very prestigious family of best in show winners. His parents decide that it's time for him to get a human, so that he can win best in show titles, too! When Chili and his human are skeptical of their skills, will they both pull it together and make Best in Show?

I'm so happy to have met Galia Bernstein at a local bookfest last year! She signed my book and added an adorable sketch of a dog with it!
This book is so so sweet and is perfect for any animal lover!
The illustrations are so cute!

I really enjoyed this sweet book and hope that you do, too! Follow @bronteandwilder on Instagram for fun book recommendations!

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just adorable! The illustrations were fantastic and the story was beautifully done. Just a wonderful story and so adorable! Would highly recommend!

Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC!

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

A puppy from a family of blue ribbon champions and a girl from a family of professional dog handlers compete in their first dog show.

The illustrations were created digitally with hand-painted textures.

The dogs have appropriately pretentious names for pure breeds.

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 1/3

Dogs, Dog Shows, Families

A book about breaking family expectations (gently).

[Elizabeth]

Chili looked so super cute before his haircut!

[Jaymie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars = Good+

Darling illustrations in a sweet story about being accepted as yourself.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars?

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Presley loved this story about dog shows! Expectations can be daunting for humans and dogs!

[Ember Moto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture book about family expectations and being your self