Don't you love the idea of kids learning about dogs through reading? WT Kosmos asked me for a dog book for kids review for the first book in a planned series. It's called Maya & Waggers - I have to scoop what? (ha ha) The truth is that I had a few issues with some things in the chapter book for kids ages 8 and up. Let's clap for Kosmos who took my feedback and made revisions so that kids learn accurate (and safe) info about dogs and dog training, including how to teach sit and the dangers of dogs running loose. Yay! Let's take a look at the book's premise.
Maya & Waggers #1 - I have to scoop what?
As you can tell from the title, the book is about a kid coming to grips with having to scoop her new puppy's poop. She tries all kinds of things to avoid the task. Most of her ideas are pretty bad, but along the way she and her best friend meet a bunch of quirky characters.
What's interesting about the book's premise is that it takes place on a fictional island that's NEVER had dogs before. That means all people (not just kids) show up completely clueless about dogs and often with weird ideas about them.
More Than a Dog Book for Kids Review
I mentioned to Kosmos in an email some of the other themes I noticed in the book, and he did not correct me.
I learned recently, though, from others' responses to a short story I wrote that people see things that perhaps authors don't intend, so take this next comment with that in mind.
I believe Maya & Waggers includes undertones of modern politics where 2 groups of people think badly of and judge each other for certain beliefs and actions -- including the colors they wear. They call themselves Puddin' Heads and Sweeties. I'll let you figure out what that may mean. *wink
What I Like
- The book is funny. I think it could be even funnier (like The Mouse and The Motorcycle that I loved as a kid).
- The 2 girls work really hard to find solutions together.
- They are brave and independent.
- They talk about their differences.
- The puppy is smart.
So if you have a youngster needing something to read this summer, give Maya & Waggers a chance.
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