Houndsley and Catina Plink and Plunk

by James Howe, Marie-Louise Gay (Illustrator)

Overview

A charming tale about paddling past fears with the help of true friends.

Houndsley loves to canoe. Catina loves to ride bikes. But when Houndsley takes Catina out canoeing, she chatters the whole time, drowning out the sounds Houndsley loves, like the call of birds or the plink and plunk of the paddles. And when Catina wants to go biking, Houndsley balks at going, even though Bert says he wants to come along. What is wrong with Catina? And what is wrong with Houndsley? Luckily, with Bert’s help, they discover that the things you’re afraid of are easier to do with a good friend or two at your side.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781098251352
Publisher:	Chapter Books
Publication date:	08/01/2022
Series:	Houndsley and Catina Series
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.13(h) x 0.32(d)
Lexile:	550L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 7 Years

About the Author

James Howe is the acclaimed author of more than seventy books for young readers, including the Houndsley and Catina series and the much lauded Bunnicula and its sequels. He lives in New York State.

Marie-Louise Gay, illustrator of the Houndsley and Catina series, is the award-winning author and illustrator of many other titles, including Rainy Day Magic and the Stella and Sam series. She lives in Montreal.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 1-3

Houndsley and Catina are back in a brand-new springtime adventure. Catina's constant chatter once again ruins Houndsley's canoe trip, but he doesn't understand why she suddenly clams up after a wave rocks the boat. Catina can't understand why Houndsley doesn't want to ride his new bicycle. In the end, the two friends help one another overcome their fears. The three episodes seem disjointed at first, but the language is playful and precise and the action comes together for a satisfying conclusion. Houndsley and Catina's misunderstandings will resonate with early elementary readers. Gay's gentle cartoons, done in pen-and-ink and watercolor, sprawl across the pages while leaving plenty of white space around the text to encourage beginning readers.-Rebecca Dash, New York Public Library

School Library Journal

Houndsley loves to take his canoe out onto the lake, but Bert the goose, his usual paddling partner, must visit a sick aunt. He's reluctant to invite his best friend, Catina, because the talkative cat does "not seem to understand that for Houndsley the joys of canoeing were the boat's silent glide over the water, the plink and plunk of the paddles..." Sure enough, she yaks and yaks. A few days later, Houndsley is gifted with a bicycle, which he most assuredly does not want: He can't ride. But he gamely goes out with Catina and Bert and promptly upends himself into an azalea bush. His confession that he can't ride a bike results in a swap with Bert for a tricycle and Catina's admission that she's terrified of the water-that's why she talks all the time-and a happy canoe outing with both friends, after a swimming lesson for Catina. Howe's gentle text deftly mixes in some sight words alongside easily sounded-out vocabulary, all while telling a sweetly engaging story; Gay's energetic watercolors brim with personality and humor. (Early reader. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews

A sweetly engaging story…energetic watercolors brim with personality and humor.
—Kirkus Reviews

With an engaging story, wonderful illustrations, and memorable characters, this title will be a real treat for children who are learning how to read on their own.
—Looking Glass Review

Illustrations glow with warmth and good spirits…an encouraging book on overcoming fears.
—Booklist

The message is clear. With the support of true friends a person can overcome just about any obstacle or hurdle... This might open up an interesting dialogue.
—BookLoons Reviews

An excellent book that teaches the value of friends and how they can help a person overcome a secret fear, this is always a great story for beginning readers.
—SBParent.com

From the Publisher

As the two friends Houndsley and Catina delve into canoeing, biking, and swimming, something seems to be hindering their friendship. Houndsley doesn’t care for Catina’s constant chatter in the canoe, and Catina wonders why she’s never had Houndsley’s companionship while biking. How do you say no to a friend or let a friend know that you’re nervous? With the help of two more friends, Bert and Mimi, things start to change. Peter Pamela Rose enthusiastically characterizes the animal friends. She delivers a deep, slow voice for Houndsley and a high-pitched, animated one for Catina. Rose’s enunciation is precise, and she narrates at a deliberate pace that is perfect for young listeners. A.R. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

FEBRUARY 2012 - AudioFile