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Summary
Summary
Buster does not like change. But change is coming . . . and its name is Betty
"Buster was a happy dog.
He had everything he could ever want-until one day,
when his owner brought home a big box."
Buster hoped there would be juicy steaks or fancy cheeses or spicy sausages in the box. But inside was something Buster did not want. And that something was a cat named Betty.
Buster is a 2004 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
Author Notes
Denise Fleming is an author and illustrator of picture books.
She won a Caldecott Honor for In the Small, Small Pond.
Denise lives in Toledo, Ohio.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Buster, a red-coated pooch, has everything he wants out of life, including personalized food dishes and a comfortable backyard with all the amenities. However, when his owner brings home a fluffy white kitten, the dog's world falls to pieces. No matter how hard Betty tries to make friends, Buster remains terrified of her. Fed up, he slips under the fence, finds his way to an unfamiliar park, and enjoys a peaceful, feline-free afternoon. Finally ready to head home, he realizes that he is lost and experiences a few frightening moments until Betty comes to his rescue. After receiving an affectionate welcome from the kitten, Buster realizes that he has "-everything he could ever want-and more." Fleming's trademark handmade-paper artwork is awash with vibrant colors and dazzling details. Body language and expressive facial features establish the personalities and reflect the emotions of the characters. A mix of double-page pictures and smaller vignettes sets the scene and keeps the action moving quickly. An eagle's-eye map of Buster's route home will have children following each twist and turn. Divided into six titled sections, this picture book has the pace and feel of a beginning chapter book. The format, as well as the use of repetitive language, makes this heartwarming tale a good choice for emergent readers, while the eye-catching illustrations make it perfect for either groups or one-on-one sharing.-Joy Fleishhacker, formerly at School Library Journal (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Two's a crowd when a feline interloper disrupts a contented pooch's way of life in this clever cross between picture book and chapter book. Buster lives a dog's life, to be sure. He loves his "dishes with his name painted on them in curvy letters," his large grassy yard and Brown Shoes, the owner who takes him to the park whenever he asks. But this ideal picture changes the day that "the big box" arrives-containing not spicy sausages, as hoped, but a white cat named Betty. The furry new addition tries her best to get Buster's attention ("She slept in Buster's dishes with the curvy letters. Buster ignored her. She ran up and down and around Buster's tree. Buster ignored her") but Buster reaches his limit and runs away, only to get lost in an unfamiliar park. It's Betty, in surprising fashion, who leads Buster home. Fleming (Alphabet Under Construction) brings a cheerful childlike tone to her text, along with abundant touches of humor and tenderness-and a clear understanding of pet (and child) dynamics. In a fresh-looking style that will especially appeal to beginning readers, she breaks her tale into brief "chapters," each bearing a title suited to the scenario ("The Big Box," "Lost," etc.). Her signature colored-pulp paintings exhibit a smooth confidence as Fleming varies her compositions from full-bleed spreads to spot illustrations, all in a joyous palette dominated by snappy greens and yellows. Buster, a lively auburn pup who looks like he could be part fawn, is a scene-stealer with his expressive eyes and lifelike movements. And Buster won't be the only one happy to see ball-of-fluff Betty at book's end. Ages 4-7. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
(Preschool, Primary) Buster is a happy dog who has everything he could want--a grassy yard, a basketful of toys, and Brown Shoes to take him to the park. In fact, Buster looks nearly ecstatic as he dances to his favorite radio station, a pink flower in his mouth. This blissful existence is shattered when Brown Shoes brings home a big box containing not treats but a fluffy white feline named Betty. Terrified of cats, Buster tries desperately to ignore her, but as she continues to invade his places and things, he finally runs off. A delightful afternoon in the park ends miserably when Buster discovers he's lost--until a familiar ""ball of white fur"" leads the way home. The small drama is broken down scene by scene, effectively pacing the action. Fleming's pulp paintings are a celebration of shape, color, and texture. Fiery red Buster glows blue around the edges as he cavorts energetically through the sunny yellow pages, often appearing several times per page. His resentment toward the newcomer is true to both pet and human nature alike, yet it's only a matter of time till the adorably eager playmate wins him over. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
Buster was a happy dog who had everything he could ever want, until his owner brought home a big box--no steaks or sausages inside, just a little white cat named Betty. Buster tries ignoring her, but she sleeps in his dishes, digs in his sandpit, and hides his toys. He tries escaping by running to the park--where he gets lost. Nobody can tell him where he lives until he looks up and sees, in the top of a tall tree several streets over, a waving ball of white fur. "The tree looked very familiar. The waving ball looked very familiar." Fleming's signature paper-pulp illustrations turn a common theme into an original, charming story with a cunning resolution. Offering clever designs, even to the endpapers, Fleming barks up the right tree, as green-eyed Betty and red-furred Buster are definitely a match. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
PreS-Gr. 1. Fleming serves up another treat for young children in this endearing story about a dog whose worst nightmare is realized when a cat moves in. Buster has a cushy life until his owner brings home a cat, Betty. Buster is terrified, but Betty wants to be friends and tries to get Buster's attention, in the process irritating him so much that he runs away to spend the day at a cat-free park. Upon waking from a pleasant nap, Buster realizes he doesn't know the way home. It's Betty who guides him safely back from her perch in a tall tree in Buster's own backyard. A double-page spread map with an aerial view of the area marks Buster's route from park to home in orange dashes, which provide a fun way for kids to practice map skills. Dressen-McQueen's artwork, created by pouring colored pulp fiber through hand-cut stencils, is abuzz with vibrant color and exceedingly well composed. Another winner from a popular, talented author and illustrator. --Lauren Peterson Copyright 2003 Booklist