Details
Synopsis
His instincts and his training as a part-time private investigator make Caleb Corgi suspicious of a band of raccoons, especially when Corgiville's prize rooster disappears.
| Size | | Height: | 12.3 in | | Width: | 9.5 in | | Thickness: | 0.5 in | | Weight: | 18.4 oz |
Industry Reviews
Tudor returns to the scene of Corgiville Fair for this rather wordy tale starring dog detective Caleb Corgi. Caleb, who "had observed an increase in the number of raccoons in town," fears the masked intruders will steal the town's prize rooster, Babe. They do, and after some careful maneuvering the canine sleuth manages to rescue the purloined bird in a drawn-out finale. Displaying the wry humor her fans have come to expect, Tudor splashes her narrative with intentional melodrama, zippy puns and clever asides (a pointed reference to Gertrude Stein is just for parents). Yet a plot that wanders in many directions and overly long chunks of text will likely be off-putting to young readers (e.g., the opening paragraph extols Caleb's virtues in a long-winded r?sum?). Tudor's sprawling pictures are abundantly detailed especially the book's endpapers and Megan's Market, the town grocery store depicting a buzzing Corgiville filled with nattily attired, anthropomorphic animals. Still, this is not the venerable artist's most memorable work. All ages. (Sept.)
Lopate
Gr 1-4 In a quaint New England village populated by an array of animals done up in jackets ? la Beatrix Potter, Caleb Corgi, a dog detective, begins to feel uneasy about the large number of raccoons appearing in town. Upon investigating, he discovers that they have kidnapped Babe, the "Biggest Rooster on Earth," to cook for a feast, and he sets off to the rescue. The plot is predictable; it is the details that offer pleasure. Tudor uses colorfully descriptive language that brings richness to the story. For example, on finding a trash can "vibrating violently," Caleb taps on the lid and "a shocking volley of oaths greeted his ears." It is a trapped squirrel who tells him, "Those #*#*#* (quite unprintable) raccoons put me in it." The pictures are also a delight, moving from crowded country stores to the raccoons' dark warren and finally to a hot-air balloon drifting over the countryside. Tudor's sketchy watercolors, both small scale and panoramic spreads, draw viewers in for a closer look at all of the homey details. With its slightly longer length and a more challenging vocabulary than most picture books, this title may appeal more to older children and the lucky adults who can share it with them. Judith Gloyer, Milwaukee Public Library
Fredrickson
Gr 1-4 In a quaint New England village populated by an array of animals done up in jackets … la Beatrix Potter, Caleb Corgi, a dog detective, begins to feel uneasy about the large number of raccoons appearing in town. Upon investigating, he discovers that they have kidnapped Babe, the "Biggest Rooster on Earth," to cook for a feast, and he sets off to the rescue. The plot is predictable; it is the details that offer pleasure. Tudor uses colorfully descriptive language that brings richness to the story. For example, on finding a trash can "vibrating violently," Caleb taps on the lid and "a shocking volley of oaths greeted his ears." It is a trapped squirrel who tells him, "Those #*#*#* (quite unprintable) raccoons put me in it." The pictures are also a delight, moving from crowded country stores to the raccoons' dark warren and finally to a hot-air balloon drifting over the countryside. Tudor's sketchy watercolors, both small scale and panoramic spreads, draw viewers in for a closer look at all of the homey details. With its slightly longer length and a more challenging vocabulary than most picture books, this title may appeal more to older children and the lucky adults who can share it with them. Judith Gloyer, Milwaukee Public Library
School Library Journal (12/01/1997)
Tudor returns to the scene of Corgiville Fair for this rather wordy tale starring dog detective Caleb Corgi. Caleb, who "had observed an increase in the number of raccoons in town," fears the masked intruders will steal the town's prize rooster, Babe. They do, and after some careful maneuvering the canine sleuth manages to rescue the purloined bird in a drawn-out finale. Displaying the wry humor her fans have come to expect, Tudor splashes her narrative with intentional melodrama, zippy puns and clever asides (a pointed reference to Gertrude Stein is just for parents). Yet a plot that wanders in many directions and overly long chunks of text will likely be off-putting to young readers (e.g., the opening paragraph extols Caleb's virtues in a long-winded r‚sum‚). Tudor's sprawling pictures are abundantly detailed especially the book's endpapers and Megan's Market, the town grocery store depicting a buzzing Corgiville filled with nattily attired, anthropomorphic animals. Still, this is not the venerable artist's most memorable work. All ages. (Sept.)
Publishers Weekly (08/25/1997)
Gr 1-4 In a quaint New England village populated by an array of animals done up in jackets la Beatrix Potter, Caleb Corgi, a dog detective, begins to feel uneasy about the large number of raccoons appearing in town. Upon investigating, he discovers that they have kidnapped Babe, the "Biggest Rooster on Earth," to cook for a feast, and he sets off to the rescue. The plot is predictable; it is the details that offer pleasure. Tudor uses colorfully descriptive language that brings richness to the story. For example, on finding a trash can "vibrating violently," Caleb taps on the lid and "a shocking volley of oaths greeted his ears." It is a trapped squirrel who tells him, "Those #*#*#* (quite unprintable) raccoons put me in it." The pictures are also a delight, moving from crowded country stores to the raccoons' dark warren and finally to a hot-air balloon drifting over the countryside. Tudor's sketchy watercolors, both small scale and panoramic spreads, draw viewers in for a closer look at all of the homey details. With its slightly longer length and a more challenging vocabulary than most picture books, this title may appeal more to older children and the lucky adults who can share it with them. Judith Gloyer, Milwaukee Public Library
School Library Journal (12/01/1997)
Tudor returns to the scene of Corgiville Fair for this rather wordy tale starring dog detective Caleb Corgi. Caleb, who "had observed an increase in the number of raccoons in town," fears the masked intruders will steal the town's prize rooster, Babe. They do, and after some careful maneuvering the canine sleuth manages to rescue the purloined bird in a drawn-out finale. Displaying the wry humor her fans have come to expect, Tudor splashes her narrative with intentional melodrama, zippy puns and clever asides (a pointed reference to Gertrude Stein is just for parents). Yet a plot that wanders in many directions and overly long chunks of text will likely be off-putting to young readers (e.g., the opening paragraph extols Caleb's virtues in a long-winded r sum ). Tudor's sprawling pictures are abundantly detailed especially the book's endpapers and Megan's Market, the town grocery store depicting a buzzing Corgiville filled with nattily attired, anthropomorphic animals. Still, this is not the venerable artist's most memorable work. All ages. (Sept.)
Publishers Weekly (08/25/1997)
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