About the Holiday

Of course you love your pooch, but have you ever thought about life from their point of view? What does the world look like from their perspective? How does the grass or sidewalk feel under their paws? What hat makes that so enticing? And what are they really thinking when dressed up for Halloween? Today’s holiday encourages people to really observe their dog in their home and outdoor environment to make sure they have everything they need to be healthy and happy. Which, of course, includes lots of hugs!

George the Hero Hound

By Jeffrey Ebbeler

 

“George was a good old hound dog” and the best kind of farm dog. Even before the rooster crowed, he was helping Farmer Fritz with his chores. Farmer Fritz needed a lot of help because there were always slop buckets to carry, the old rusty tractor was always breaking down, and the cows were always “plotting to get out and feast on the cornfield.” But it wasn’t so bad because there was always an afternoon nap on the porch waiting for him. In fact, “he had a good life for a hound dog.”

But one day Farmer Fritz packed up his belonging, put on a Hawaiian shirt and caught the bus to a retirement cabana on the beach where cows, pigs, and, sadly, even dogs weren’t allowed. But George wasn’t alone for long. Soon the Gladstone family moved in with all of their city apartment things and two kids, Owen and Olive. The Gladstones were happy to see the old hound dog. The little boy wanted to be the one to name him.

“George could tell right away that the Gladstone family would need a whole heap of help. There’d be no afternoon naps on the porch for a while.” When Mr. Gladstone tried to fix the tractor, it was George who found the missing part that made it work. When Mr. Gladstone saw that the old dog camouflaged among the rusty tractor parts, he said, “Maybe we should call you Rusty.” But before that name could take hold, the tractor took off on its own. When the tractor smashed through the cows’ fence, George went to work rounding them up and herding “those sneaky cows back into their pen, where they belonged.”

George toddled into the house for a drink of water, but Mrs. Gladstone swept him right back out again, saying, “You are the dustiest dog! I ought to call you Dusty.” George loped off to his dog house when something blue fluttering from a tree caught his attention. Owen came running. It was Olive’s blue scarf, but where was Olive? “George took a good sniff of Olive’s ribbon—he was a hound dog, after all—and off they went.” George followed the scent through the corn field, across a stream, and over a hill. There they found Olive having a tea party with a chicken.

Owen thought George was such a good tracker that they should call him Rover. Happy to have helped find Olive, George figured he’d certainly get his nap now. But they reached the farm just in time to see the tractor crash into the barn and Mrs. Gladstone, who was up a ladder, drop her can of red paint. It landed on George’s head, turning him…”Red!” It was Olive’s first word. Maybe, thought Owen, Red would be a good name for the old hound.

After that day George didn’t get too many naps. But that was okay. Turned out “that he liked herding Olive a lot more than he liked herding cows.” He also taught the Gladstones everything he knew about running the farm and dealing “with those crafty cows.” George was so clever he even devised a plan to “drum up business” on Farmer Fritz’s beach, where the retirees loved the Gladstone’s sweet corn. “Now, if only George could teach his new family one last thing…his name!”

Jeffrey Ebbeler’s sweet hound dog George will capture readers’ hearts as he manages the farm, the wily cows, and the clueless Gladstones with good humor and aplomb. With such a good nature and so many talents, it’s no surprise that George is special to each family member. Ebbeler’s vibrant illustrations are full of humor that will keep kids laughing as the cows plan their escapes, Farmer Fritz and Mr. Gladstone tinker with the tractor on the fritz, and a goggle-eyed chicken becomes Olive’s playmate. Kids will especially like hunting for all the cows hiding, showering, camping, hot-air ballooning, and getting into other shenanigans throughout the book.

A fun and funny read aloud, George the Hero Hound is a day-brightener for any story time at home or in the classroom.

Ages 4 – 8

Two Lions, 2018 | ISBN 978-1503941762

Discover more about Jeffrey Ebbeler, his books, and his art on his website.

National Hug Your Hound Day Activity

Homemade Dog Biscuits

 

These homemade dog biscuits are fun to make and a special treat for your dog. Why not get together with your friends and make a batch? Then share them with your pets, or consider making some for dogs who need a little extra love at your local shelter.

• Children should get help from an adult when using the oven.

Supplies

• 1 large bowl
• Large spoon or whisk
• Cookie cutters – shaped like traditional dog bones or any favorite shape

Ingredients

• 3 cups Buckwheat flour
• ½ cup powdered milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup water
• 1/3 cup margarine or butter, melted
• 1 egg beaten

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees
2. Add buckwheat flour to bowl
3. Add powdered milk to bowl
4. Add salt to bowl
5. Stir to mix dry ingredients
6. Add water
7. Add melted margarine or butter
8. Add egg
9. Stir until liquid is absorbed
10. Knead for a few minutes to form a dough
11. If the dough is too dry, add a little more water, one Tablespoon at a time
12. Place the dough on a board
13. Roll dough to ½ inch thickness
14. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters
15. Bake at 325 degrees for 35 minutes
16. Biscuits will be hard when cool.

Makes about 40 biscuits.

You can find George the Hero Hound at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound

Picture Book Review

 

Picture Book Review