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Summary
Summary
When Quantz stops to pet a big red dog, what does he get for his effort? Fleas. With whimsical, retro illustrations and a hilarious text that children will be itching to hear again and again, this wonderfully Steigish tale concludes with an unforgettable flea circus. Full color.
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-Farmer Quantz encounters a dog in his vegetable garden and gives him a good rub behind the ears. When the pup bounds off, Quantz finds he has been left with a fine case of fleas and begins to itch wildly. Running down the road, he meets a woman with an uncle who will not stop talking, and they trade burdens. Off Quantz goes with the garrulous uncle until he meets a man carrying a huge chuck of Limburger cheese. Eager to get out from under his load, he accepts Quantz's offer of an exchange. And so it goes until the story comes full circle and Quantz ends up with the dog that, by this time, is sans fleas. Peppered with wonderful language, this noodle-head story makes for a lively and fun read-aloud. The mixed-media cartoon spreads, featuring elongated figures in exaggerated poses, perfectly match the comic tone of the tale.-Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Steig's (A Handful of Beans) shaggy dog story, like the swapping stories found in folk or fairy tales, takes readers on a hilarious journey with a farmer named Quantz. "Patta pim, patta pum, the day has begun," says Quantz. "Pitta pom, pitta posh--there's a dog in the squash!" Although the constantly changing nonsense expressions can seem intrusive, the story is pure fun: Quantz ingeniously trades the fleas which he gets from the dog for an uncle who never stops talking, the uncle for a huge Limburger cheese, and so on until he ends up with the now flea-free red dog at a flea circus frequented by all the characters who have gone before. In Spencer's (Make Your Mark, Franklin Roosevelt) capable hands, the intrepid hero looks like Ichabod Crane, and part of the joy is in seeing each new outlandish personage. Although the narrative tension stems from readers' attempts to anticipate just how Quantz will get rid of the next useless item--be it a red wig, a rabbit or a bare bone--the true magic emanates from Quantz himself, who looks for a "barrel of fun" and finds it. Ages 3-up. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
Good-natured yokel Quantz gets fleas from a dog. He then trades them for a passerby's annoying uncle, whom he trades for some Limburger cheese, and so on, until he's left with what he thinks is a worthless bone. Told with a rural twang and illustrated with comical down-home mixed-media illustrations, the story stays one satisfying step ahead of readers to the end. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
It's a perfect day, and Quantz is happily gardening when a dog stops for a scratch. The dog runs off, leaving Quantz with a terrible case of fleas. They itch, so Quantz goes looking for help. He manages to trade his fleas for a talkative uncle who is badgering a passerby. He and the uncle then run into a lonely man carrying a stack of cheese, and Quantz makes another switch. The cheese begins to melt, so Quantz barters with some passing mice for a battered banjo--and so on, in a chain of swaps that leaves him with a bone. This is perfect for the original flea-bitten dog, whom Quantz sees guarding the entrance to a tent. What Quantz finds inside makes for a spectacular finish. This entertaining tale is a sure crowd-pleaser. Steig's narration ratchets up the ridiculousness in deadpan fashion, spiced throughout with gloriously chewy language that rolls off the tongue. Spencer's accompanying watercolor-and-ink illustrations, filled with humor and exaggeration, are just the right complement to the text's amiable foolishness. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
While working in his garden, farmer Quantz finds a dog in his squash and gives the pooch an ear rub. There you are . . . no extra charge, says Quantz, but the dog has, in fact, left a payment of sorts fleas, which quickly embrace their new host. In itchy misery, Quantz heads off in search of help and encounters a young woman with a talkative uncle she can't wait to get rid of. She and Quantz organize a trade fleas for the uncle and Quantz continues walking, his new companion jabbering at this side. Steig's merry, original tale follows Quantz through more outlandish swaps and bargains, ending with a twist on the circular motif: the fleas are back, but they have been organized into a joyful, crowd-pleasing circus. Steig's lively text, filled with laugh-along dialogue that will read aloud well, is ably extended by Spencer's garishly hued, exaggerated portraits of dopey-faced Quantz and a cast of tall-tale characters. Offer this entertaining story-hour choice to teachers looking for fresh folktale material.--Engberg, Gillian Copyright 2008 Booklist