3 Wünsche für Mopsmann

by Sebastian Meschenmoser

The antidote to every cute fairy book The day hasn't started well for Pugman, quite possibly the grumpiest dog ever. He has overslept, there's nothing for breakfast, and the rain has made his newspaper soggy. You'd be grumpy too. Then, out of nowhere, a magical and unnecessarily cheerful fairy appears to offer Pugman three wishes. Think you know what he'll wish for? You and the fairy are in for quite a surprise! At last, the antidote to those seemingly endless fairy books for kids, and what a hoot it is. Meschenmoser's delightfully disheveled illustrations are full of wit and mischief, and its hilarious ending will have readers cheering for our canine curmudgeon.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Animals, Childrens, Fantasy, Humor, Dogs

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Sebastian Meschenmoser studied fine arts in Mainz, Germany. His illustrations were chosen from more than 2,700 entries and presented at the Children's Book Fair in Bologna in recognition of him being one of the most innovative new illustrators. As an accomplished artist with several exhibitions to his name, Sebastian Meschenmoser is among Germany's most successful and admired young illustrators for children.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you trust me, or Meschenmoser, read this. Don't read other reviews as some have spoilers and some are by ppl who don't understand it. I will admit I don't know if small children will actually like this or not, but I'm pretty sure age 7 up will. The only other thing I'll say is that, yes, it does make sense that the image of the dressing gown (robe) on the front cover looks a bit like a Zen monk's.

I will continue to read all I can find by the author.

PS (mild) My 20 yo son laughed out loud from the beginning, and my 62 yo husband chuckled at the end and said "Don't hit people up before they've had their coffee."

[Susan Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was immediately attracted to the illustrations and fell in love with the main character and story almost instantly. I however was quickly enraged when the fairy appeared in the story - it was absolutely ugly and horrid - I was upset that it ruined such a beautiful story - HOWEVER I soon learned that this was actually intentional on the author's part mocking the tendency for children's picture books to be filled with fairies, pink, colours and happiness and justice is fulfilled in the ending which I won't spoil. Overall an absolutely fantastic and hilarious book.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED the artwork for this book. The story is described as "the antidote to every cute fairy book" and features a rather grumpy pug dog. Quirky and delightful.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

No todos encontramos la felicidad en las mismas cosas. Esas pequeñas cosas que nos permiten comenzar el día de buenas son las que hacen este libro tan apetecible.

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Depressed pug exacts revenge on perky pixie.

[Pustulio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es un pugguito bebe
nada puede malir sal

[Alixe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A children's book, yes, but aren't we all Pug Man?

[Erin Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pug Man wakes up halfway through the day and just doesn't know if it's worth getting out of bed. A strange twist of fate helps this bachelor make the best of his situation. This was adorable and really spoke to me. Loved the artwork!

[Concertina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ay es tan inocente como un pug de verdad <3

[Susan Dunn]

This is an extremely odd, but super funny, book!

[Kat Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never have I read a childrens book which so beautifully illustrates what it is like to be an adult. Children can appreciate this as a picture book about a grumpy pug. Adults can appreciate its authenticity and truthfulness. We all know what it's like to have "one of those days." Parents, this would be a brilliant tool if you're ever feeling like Pug Man and need to find a way for you children to understand. Never have I valued a picture book more.

[Melle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to shake my fiancé awake to ask him what the what I just read when I finished this book. Pug Man is a creepy-sad amalgamation of pug dog and older pudgy man. Also, I should have realized this is originally German, because it is bizarre. Seriously weird, and someone out there will love it, but that someone isn't me.

[Lauren]

Most of the pencil illustrations are grey and monochromatic, echoing the rainy day outside and Pug Man’s increasingly bad mood. When the fairy enters the story, bright colors come with her and they seem perfectly out of place in Pug Man’s life. The concepts here may be a little vague for younger readers, but I thought it was funny, thought-provoking, and very enjoyable.

[Veerlibros Jeaque Vargas R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una historia corta, que se disfruta en cada página, con hermosas y expresivas ilustraciones, con pocas palabras y con el toque de humor fino característico del autor, pero que en el fondo trae un mensaje profundo y lleno de significado.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny! A grumpy pug (with human-like behaviors) is having a bad day... when an overly chipper fairy shows up to grant him 3 wishes. What will he wish for?? Maybe not what you'd expect!

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

So weird... but snarky enough to make me grin.

[Mr. George The Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

sardonic as heck and I like it

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parents will probably enjoy the book more than kids, but it's still a ton of fun.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most wonderfully weird picture books ever.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are having a bad day, read this book. Some days don't start out so great, but what if you get three wishes. Pug Man got three wishes on a grumpy rainy day.

[Heather Culley · Rating 5 out of 5]

But why a pig tho

[Steph]

Level/Turn: (2/2)

Themes: Problem Solving, Fairies, 3 Wishes

[Mandyhello · Rating 4 out of 5]

weird, man..

[Muri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super niedlich. Seit ich ganz klein bin eines meiner Lieblings Bücher🥰

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got three pages into this and thought, "This HAS to be from Europe." It's so odd, I am not sure how many American kids would get it.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, LOVE!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am Pug Man

[Sabrina Nell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Letzte Woche habe ich mir einen Wunsch erfüllt und mir "3 Wünsche für Mopsmann" gekauft. Endlich! Denn seit unserem ersten Zusammentreffen in einem Comic-Laden in Bamberg konnte ich ihn nicht vergessen und hatte stets latente Sehnsucht. Gut, dass sie nun gestillt ist. Besser, dass er immer noch dasselbe auslöste, nämlich fröhliches Giggeln und glückliches Schmunzeln.

Mopsmann hat einen schrecklichen Tag. Einen schrecklichen halben Tag, um genau zu sein, denn er hat verschlafen. Außerdem hat er kein Frühstück mehr im Haus und kann nicht einmal seine morgendliche Zeitung lesen. Gerade, als er überlegt, beleidigt zurück ins Bett zu kriechen, taucht eine Fee auf und gewährt im drei Wünsche.

Mit wenigen Worten in großer Schrift und kurzen Sätzen erzählt, funktioniert "3 Wünsche für Mopsmann" ganz über die Buntstift-Zeichnungen. Deren Stil ist zwar oft skizzenartig, aber niemals lieblos - auf jeder Seite gibt es auch auf den zweiten Blick noch Details zu erkennen. Mir gefällt auch die stark reduzierte Farbpalette in Mopsmanns Grummelphasen, erst als die Fee in seinem Haus auftaucht, hält auch knallige Buntigkeit Einzug in die Geschichte.

Ich für meinen Teil bin reichlich verliebt in Mopsmanns faltiges Meckergesicht und seine nahezu unerschütterliche schlechte Laune - und freue mich, dass es auch einen zweiten Band gibt: "Mopsmanns magische Wunderwolle" ist allerdings von Verlagsseite aus vergriffen. Ich brauche ihn trotzdem und werde ihn gebraucht suchen, weilwegen strickende Möpse. Ist klar, ne?

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I liked the story, I was less entranced by the illustrations, especially the illustration of the fairy.