Piper and Mabel: Two Very Wild but Very Good Dogs

by Melanie Shankle, Laura Watkins (Illustrator)

Overview

If you are a dog lover, you will enjoy New York Times bestselling author Melanie Shankle’s debut children’s book, Piper & Mabel. Melanie shares the adventures of her two very wild but very good dogs, Piper and Mabel, who have an experience of their own when their owners plan a vacation to the beach.

The dog duo is shocked to discover they won’t be joining their people on the trip. Instead, they’re headed to doggie day care at the Happy Trails Ranch, where they create all kinds of mischief when they discover the accommodations are not exactly what they were expecting. And when they decide to take matters into their own paws, they end up on one crazy journey.

• Humorous story, perfect for children ages 4-8
• If your kids loved Secret Life of Pets, they’ll enjoy reading about Piper and Mabel

Shankle is the author of four books, co-hosts The Big Boo Cast and is the hilarious voice behind the popular Big Mama Blog.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310760863
Publisher:	Zonderkidz
Publication date:	02/25/2020
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Melanie Shankle writes regularly at The Big Mama blog and is the New York Times bestselling author of four previous books, including Nobody’s Cuter than You. Melanie is a graduate of Texas A&M and loves writing, shopping at Target, checking to see what’s on sale at Anthropologie, and trying to find the lighter side in every situation. Most of all, she loves being the mother of Caroline, the wife of Perry, and the official herder of two wild dogs named Piper and Mabel. The five of them live in San Antonio, Texas.

Laura Watkins was often found drawing on wallpaper as a child. There just weren’t enough regular sheets of paper to keep up with the demand! But since graduating with a degree in illustration in 2011, Laura has been very busy and very content to work on books. When she’s not drawing, Laura is usually found riding horses or trying to keep control of her two Irish Setters.

Editorial Reviews

2019-09-26
Shankle, best known for her devotional titles for adults, pivots to picture books.

Based on the author's own dogs, Piper and Mabel are "two very wild but very good dogs" who love each other and their humans. When the family begins discussing a trip to the beach, Piper and Mabel eagerly look forward to joining in the family vacation only to discover that they will not be going to the shore. Piper and Mabel are off to Happy Tails Ranch, whose appealing brochure summons visions of spa-like farm fun for the canine companions, even if going with the family would be their first choice. The actual ranch is underwhelming and even scary for the pooches; the food isn't great, they are forced to take baths, and there are no facials to be found, so they decide to make a break for it. Though lost for a time, they sniff their way to safety and back to their family, where they wanted to be all along. It's cute and satisfying, but this ground's been trod many times before. Watkins' soft edges and pastel hues lend a cozy yet energetic aesthetic, reassuring readers that even when Piper and Mabel are lost, all will turn out right in the end. Piper and Mabel's humans appear to be white, though readers never get a good view, as the illustrations focus on the protagonist canines, who are mostly black but whose breed is not readily apparent.

Family-friendly dog stories will always find eager audiences, although this kibble's a bit stale. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews