Waggit Forever

by Peter Howe, Omar Rayyan (Illustrator)

Overview

A family is forever.

Ever since he was abandoned as a puppy, Waggit's home has been the big, sprawling park in the heart of the city. There he has had snug shelter, food, and a family of other dogs to call his own.

But now everything has changed. It is getting harder and harder to avoid the humans that invade the park every day. Food is scarce and enemies are everywhere. Where can the team go? Waggit has an answer, but getting there is the problem. Can the team survive the journey? Does Waggit have what it takes to lead them when new challenges strike? And who is the mysterious Gray One he unexpectedly meets?

Peter Howe's tale of an abandoned puppy's search for home comes full circle in this new book in the series as Waggit finds that strength comes from within—and that home is anywhere family is.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780061765179
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	05/04/2010
Pages:	261
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Peter Howe is the author of Waggit's Tale, which was his first book for children. He was born in London, lived in New York for more than thirty years, and currently resides in Connecticut with his wife and two dogs. He is a former New York Times Magazine and Life magazine picture editor, and he is the author of two books on photography: Shooting Under Fire and Paparazzi.

Editorial Reviews

Waggit the dog lived in a park with fourteen other stray city dogs. They had no master, and they preferred it that way. But things were changing. The Ruzelas, or Uprights (people), started clearing bushes to prepare more areas for the Uprights to gather. The once abundant food supply of small creatures had diminished, so the dogs were forced to depend on human scraps as a source of food. It soon became obvious that the team had to move or starve. Tazar, the leader of the Tazarians was reluctant to move so many dogs. One day while Waggit searched for food, he met Beidel, the leader of the Ductors, who assisted dogs that needed to get out of the clutches of the Uprights. After hearing Waggit's plight, Beidel offered to help move the Tazarians to a new park on the other side of town. Waggit presented the idea to his leader, but Tazar was reluctant to take on such a large task; they were fine the way they were. Fear of the unknown weighted heavily on the team, but after more days came and went, and still no prey, the decision to move the team became apparent. The Tazarians met with the Ductors and a plan was formed. They split the team up into three groups and began the long journey to their new home. Along the way, the team encounters an Upright they knew and liked. Felicia was able to communicate with the dogs, and they understood her. When Tazar was injured trying to protect Beidle, Waggit became the leader of the team, and discovered it was not easy being a leader. This was a fascinating story using dogs as characters. The message of team work, diversity, trust, loyalty, friendship, leadership, and hero all rolled into one book. Reviewer: Beverly Melasi

Children's Literature - Beverly Melasi