Benny: An Adventure Story

by Bob Graham

From the BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK Award winner!
Benny sure is one talented dog. As a magician’s assistant, he does magic tricks, tap dances, and can even escape from the Houdini Deathtrap while playing the harmonica. But when Benny upstages his magician master, he ends up in the doghouse and finds himself all alone in the world, with a serious case of the blues. Is there anyone, anywhere, who will give him the simple love he seeks?

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Animals, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1999

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

An Australian children's author and illustrator. His books include Max, which won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Gold Award, Jethro Byrd, Fairy Child, which won the Kate Greenaway Medal, and "Let's Get A Pup!" Said Kate which won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, so sad for way too long, but then happy! And funny. I did chuckle when I saw why that particular family wanted Benny as he was. This isn’t even close to my favorite Bob Graham book but, as with his others, I did like this book. The illustrations are in his style, which I appreciate, and his sensibilities shine through, including an animal as a main character, quirky, unusual, showing a unique family, and wise. It won me over by the end.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benny is a dog of many talents. He works as an assistant to Brillo the Great Magician but soon Benny's talent wins over Brillo's fans and Benny is thrown out of the act, discarded, abandoned. Thus sending Benny on an adventure to find where he belongs. Benny travels by train, foot, truck, through farms, rivers, and desserts. After many failed attempts, Benny decides to be himself and then the world will come to him...and it does.

Graham's text and illustrations come together to tell a sweet story of a dog who finds himself a family. Graham adopted a shelter dog and used his life as inspiration for Benny...learning that little bit of information makes this story more powerful and touching.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bob Graham's illustrations make me laugh and smile!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benny the dog is an assistant for Brillo the Magician. Benny can dance, juggle, and play the harmonica. He is so talented, in fact, that he is more popular than Brillo, so Brillo kicks him out. Benny then goes on a search for his “place in the world.”

Cute illustrations.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner from the wonderful Bob Graham. If you love plucky underdogs, this might be your favorite from the author. But I do wish it wasn't oversized, making it difficult to handle and to shelve.

[Emma-Jayne Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buffy is a magicians assistant who starts to get more attention than his master so gets kicked out of the show. He travels the world looking for places to use his skills and eventually finds a lovely forever home.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story about a dog who gets rejected and sets out to find a new life for himself. Kids will enjoy this tale and will relate to all the emotions Benny goes through. Highly recommended for Grades K-3

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A magician's dog leaves to make his own way in life. He meets struggles but ultimately finds a happy ending. Very cute illustrations and lively language from Bob Graham, author/illustrator extraordinaire.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benny is too talented to be the magician's assistant any more. When Brillo the Magician kicks him out, Benny thinks he can make it out on his own with his many talents: dancing, juggling, rope-throwing, and being a musician. As he tries to find his place in the world by himself, Brillo realizes that no one wanted him. Still searching for somewhere to call home, Benny travels many miles until he is finally exhausted and decides that he will display his talents and hope someone will come and discover him. As he amazes the audiences, a shadow falls in front of him and Benny life changes forever.
I love how Benny is portrayed in this book, this brown scruffy looking dog is high energy and just likes to be around people. Carrying his travel bag, hitting the rails, Benny reminds me of Snoopy with his attitude and grace. His red-and-white checkered handkerchief that he wears complete his assemble.

[Cherina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Summary: Benny, a little dog, is the assistant to Brillo, the Magician. When Benny becomes more popular than Brillo, the magician kicks him out and Benny must find a new home. He tries to get a job, but he's just not made to be a sheep dog, a cattle dog, a kitchen dog,or a guard dog. Finally, while Benny is playing his harmonica for money, a young girl and her family stops. They give Benny a home and he fits in perfectly with his new family.

Uses: good for early readers to use independently, good for read-aloud in the primary grades

Social Issues: homelessness, feeling unwanted, finding a place to belong in this world, showing compassion, being yourself

Literary Devices: personification, alliteration (mountain, moaned, moon)

Other: Amusing illustrations, fiction picture book

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brillo kicks Benny out of the magic act when the dog becomes more popular than the magician. Mary Kelly and her musical family love him. They play music together and the family actually reads this story on the couch at the end.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book about a dog who finds his place in the world.

[Arminzerella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Benny is looking for a new career, and then he finds a family. Ends rather abruptly when he finds it.

[Sam Bloom · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bob Graham-athon continues... this is probably the weakest of his titles that I've read, but it's all relative. Cute book.

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet tale

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interestingly enough, the book I took out of the library was called 'Buffy'...which is the reason I picked it up. It was cute, even if it wasn't about she who slays.