The Problem with the Puddles

THE PROBLEM WITH THE PUDDLES is not a book for adults. Not even adults that read a lot of children's literature and appreciate children's literature. In order for an adult to truly appreciate Kate Feiffer's book, they would have to let go of being an adult, and read it through the eyes of the child inside of them. Some adults can do that easier than others. Some simply can't do that at all. It would be a shame for an adult reader to judge this book on something it's not! The Puddle family has plenty of problems! Mr. and Mrs. Puddle, were never able to agree on a name for their youngest daughter Baby and have long since "agreed to disagree". What Mrs. Puddle wants, Mr. Puddle doesn't. What Mr. Puddle wants, Mrs. Puddle doesn't. So naturally, when Mrs. Puddle wants the rainy weather to clear up so the family can return to their home in the city, Mr. Puddle becomes overjoyed when the bad weather forces them to remain in their country home a little longer than planned. When the rain clouds depart and the Puddles leave their city home in a hurried rush, left behind are the two family pets: Big Sally and Little Sally. Missing their owners and worried they may never return, the two dogs set off in the direction of the city, hoping to reunite with their chaotic owners. This quite frankly, may be the strangest children's book I've ever read. From the zany characters and the ridiculous things they say and do, to the author's incessant play on words, to the alternating chapters that switch from the Puddles' point of view to their dogs' point of view, this book is anything but normal. Rarely does the plot go where the reader expects it to as the Puddles' trip and the dogs' dilemma gets further and further off track. New characters are introduced along the way and they're just as wild and crazy as the arguing, repetitious Puddles. It doesn't surprise me that many adults find this book annoying. Remember though, Kate Feiffer didn't write this book for adults! I'll admit, at times, the Puddles wore on my nerves. Especially Mr. and Mrs. Puddle and Frankolin, the man who offers the family help when their car stalls. I felt sorry for Tom and Baby Puddle for having to endure the constant arguing and rambling of the adults and couldn't blame Baby for making a run for it at one point in the story. I was tempted to make a run for it as well! But to fixate on the annoying adults in this book would be a mistake. Actually, I'm afraid that focusing too much on the adults in this book, would cause a reader to overlook (or miss altogether) the story's real charm: Big Sally and Little Sally. I found myself hurrying through the chapters from the Puddles' point of view just so I could get back to the dogs' story. I loved the friendship between the dogs and the conversations they had with each other to pass the time ("Which came first, the country or the city?"). I think children would be able to relate very easily to Little Sally's frustration with being small and even to

This is one funny book. Even though my son is an excelled reader, I still take the time to read to him nightly. I read this book to him and it is wonderfully funny. The concept was original, it actually had a plot and full closure. The humor was appealling to both a 6 year old and a 42 year old. The book is about a family in which the parents disagree on everything, even what their daughter's name is. They forget their dogs at their country house and the story that ensues is comical and enjoyable. There is no off color humor so it is a safe read for even younger children. I recommend this book to everyone!

The Puddles are like any ordinary family, except Mr. Puddles and Mrs. Puddles never agree on anything 100%. For example, on their children's birthday, they get twice as much presents. The reason is their parents never agree on a single gift. Another time, the Puddles wanted a dog. They got a teacup Chihuahua and a Great Dane both named Sally. One day the Puddles were leaving their country house to go back to the city. When they were in their station wagon heading back, their daughter Baby pointed out that the families dogs, Sally and Sally, were not with them and that they should go back to get their pets. Mrs. Puddles didn't want to go back. She suggested they call their country neighbors to look after the dogs until her husband picked them up. Mr. Puddles agreed with Baby and turned the station wagon back around. In the meantime, Sally and Sally are sitting in the driveway wondering what to do. This ends up in a HOMEWARD BOUND kind of book as the two set off to the city. The big difference between the HOWARD BOUND characters and the two dogs named Sally is they aren't that bright. The ending, my favorite, hinted at the promise of more adventures to come with the Puddles. I do hope so, because Kate Feiffer's debut novel is a funny adventure that I'd like to experience more of.

Kate Feiffer's delightfully quirky sense of humor permeates the pages of The Problem with the Puddles. My kids and I were constantly laughing out loud when we read this book together. But in addition to being a truly fun read, including several opportunities for readers to fill in the blanks and otherwise interact with the book, there is enough plot suspense to keep you turning the pages. We couldn't wait to finish dinner and get to reading time.

The Puddles are a fun and wacky family which includes Mr. and Mrs. Puddle, Tom, Baby and their 2 dogs, both named Sally. Mr. and Mrs. Puddle cannot agree on anything; therefore, they are constantly arguing. They couldn't agree on what to name their baby girl, so Mrs. Puddle calls her Emily and Mr. Puddle calls her Ferdinanda, and everyone else just calls her Baby. The story begins as the Puddles are leaving their country home to go back to their city home, which Mrs. Puddle, Tom and Baby are all looking forward too. Unfortunately, Mr. Puddle wishes to remain in the country. They finally get everything loaded up in the car and leave - except they forgot the dogs. It wasn't until they were 2 hours into their trip that they realized they had forgot both Sallys. This, of course, led to a disagreement between Mr. and Mrs. Puddle over whether to turn around and go get the dogs or continue to drive to the city. Meanwhile the dogs decide to try and find the Puddles on their own. The rest of the book is filled with the adventures the Puddles find themselves in as well as Sally and Sally. The Puddles meet some interesting people who help them with their car problems and finding their dogs, along with a surprise ending. This is a fun and cute book which I recommend for all ages.