Poochie-Poo

by Helen Stephens

Butch is bad and loves being naughty. Victor likes being good and always does what he’s told. Now Victor wants to be bad too, but it isn’t as easy as he thinks . . . especially for a polite dog like Victor. Hugely talented illustrator Helen Stephens has created a funny and charming story about two doggie friends who try to impress each other–with hilarious consequences.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Animals

32 pages, Library Binding

First published August 7, 2002

About the author

Helen Stephens is the illustrator of a number of books for children. She is best known for her How to Hide a Lion series, which was adapted for the stage by the Polka Theatre. She has illustrated stories for some of her favorite authors, including Roger McGough, Michael Morpurgo, Sophie Hannah, Holly Webb, and Cecile Aubry. Helen Stephens lives on the windy coast of Northumberland, England, with her family.

Reviews

[Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apart from being so blooming cute, Poochie-Poo actually has quite a good message about peer pressure/fitting in (or at least, that's how I interpreted it). Victor is a good (and adorable) little dog who likes cuddles with his owner and is very well-behaved. But when his friend Butch comes over, he teases Victor for being well-behaved and says being naughty is more fun. Everything Victor does, Butch scoffs at, saying it's boring to be good. Victor feels really sad. Even his name isn't cool. (God, I might cry!) He tries really hard to impress Butch but nothing works until he purposefully goes into a shop which says "no dogs allowed". Butch agrees that Victor is naughty after all - but too late! Victor didn't think being naughty turned out to be much fun. He renounces his life of crime and - you'll never believe it - when Butch's owner comes to pick him up, it turns out that Butch does like cuddles after all! Butch was just trying to impress Victor the whole time!

This is a situation most children will find them in at some point and it's to come across it in a book. Educational, even!

[Maureen Agnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, but I stayed for the illustrations - too adorable!
The very last line was delivered perfectly too. I felt Victor's satisfaction with that one.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book honestly kind of...oh what's the word Mommy used??...korny!! The story has a valuable lesson I'm told but the writing is very 4 month olds, and I'm nearly 6 months old!!!!

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Victor, a very well-behaved dog, tries misbehaving in order to please his friend Butch but finds that it does not suit him.

[Library Quine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Victor is a good dog who pretends to be bad to please his dog friend Butch. However, it turns out Butch isn't such a bad dog after all.