Reviews
'Cookie, the Walker' flips the theme of individuality on its head. Chris Monroe ('Big Little Brother') writes and illustrates this story of a dog who has taught herself to walk upright, a skill that allows Cookie to 'reach the candy dish, ' 'pull damp towels off the towel racks' and perform other assorted people-pleasing tricks. Fame and fortune swiftly follow. Soon, Cookie becomes a popular circus act and, eventually, a top-rated television star. But along the adoration and ample snacks come constant demands on her time, leaving her homesick and worn down. What to do? Continue walking upright or return to a more traditional canine posture? Her decision, to 'stand down, ' returns Cookie to her best pal Kevin, but at the cost of the gift that made her special. Told in a bright and fun comic-book style with plenty of illustrations that will hold readers' interest upon repeated viewings, 'Cookie, the Walker' is the rare picture book that actually questions the value of standing out. After putting it down, though, I couldn't help feeling a twinge of sympathy for poor Cookie, reduced to standing upright only when nobody else is around to see. Bummer. --The New York Times Book Review --Newspaper Cookie the dog discovers that she can walk on her hind legs, a skill that provides her with access to the family's candy dish, the ice maker on the fridge, and damp towels on the bathroom rack. Her newfound talent also puts Cookie on the road to stardom--a gig with a local dog show leads to a spot in a circus which leads to her own TV show--but she soon finds that fame is just a weary treadmill trot, as each performance must outdo the one before. Her pal Kevin is saddened by Cookie's distress and suggests that the solution is as simple as putting all four feet on the floor. When Cookie's Hollywood producer spies her 'standing down, ' he is horrified and fires her on the spot, much to Cookie's and Kev's delight--although Cookie continues to occasionally make use of her ability to procure candy, 'unattended bacon, ' or 'an extra-fluffy towel.' Monroe proves here again that she is a master of understated absurdity and quirky humor, and Monkey with a Tool Belt (BCCB 6/08) fans will be right at home with wide-eyed, perky-eared Cookie. The amusingly goofy text and absurd asides will appeal to a wide age range of kids. Monroe's detailed illustrations, which frequently utilize comics-like panels and word balloons, have a squiggly, childlike look that is both endearing and humorous. Gray Cookie, with her oversized head, hot pink collar, and penchant for snacks, is a fetching leading lady, and one can only hope that we haven't seen the last of her yet. --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books --Journal The road to fame is paved with snacks for a dog who eschews convention in Monroe's wryly witty story about the virtues of keeping one's feet on the ground. When Cookie discovers how handy it is to walk on her hind legs, she's on a fast track to the big time: 'Well, I can reach the candy dish now... which is great, ' she tells her supportive but skeptical pal Kevin. A daring walk across a flaming board placed over a kiddie pool filled with snapping turtles is just the beginning: the circus and a Hollywood producer come calling, and Cookie is soon starring in her own TV show. But when an exhausted Cookie receives a proposal to walk around the world, she must make a tough decision. Monroe (the Monkey with a Tool Belt books) explores the pitfalls of fame through deadpan narration and celebrity stereotypes, all captured in tidy comics-style panels. Cookie's relationship with Kevin plays out in several tender exchanges, even as the stalwart dog is unceremoniously shoved out of the way by Cookie's 'people.' --PW Online --Journal Oh, fame. How it messes with one's head. In this case, the head belongs to a dog named Cookie. Cookie can expertly walk on her hind legs, which people think is cute. So cute, in fact, that Cookie is booked for a dog show where she walks on a ball across a flaming board over a kiddie pool. This gets her a circus gig and then a TV show. Whenever her friend Kevin comes to visit, Cookie says she is happy. She likes the treats and the fanny pack that come with the job. But as the pressure on her grows, she wavers. And her legs hurt. Can she give it all up? Some of the humor might go past the intended audience (like the way the bigwigs are always, literally, kicking Kevin out the way), but there's so much for them to look at and like, particularly the funny, deadpan moments that occur throughout. Executed in ink and wash, the cartoonish pictures take up full pages, some sprinkled with vignettes, others in panels. This is for more than one reading--all the better to get the message across. --Booklist --Journal Though the illustrative style and storyline will make this book a favorite for younger children, this 'be careful what you wish for' tale has several themes that will provide topics for classroom discussion with older children. Cookie, a family pet, learns to walk on her hind legs because it has advantages; mainly treats! Cookie begins to walk everywhere, but things quickly spiral out of control. Suddenly Cookie is walking for everyone else's reasons, but eventually realizes that she misses other important parts of her life. Younger children will love the colorful, quirky illustrations and speech bubbles, but vocabulary and word choice, plus themes of celebrity, friendship, motivation, and consequences, make this title valuable for classroom discussions. --Library Media Connection --Journal Cookie is no ordinary dog. She discovers that if she walks on her hind legs, she can reach the candy dish, turn on the TV, and get lots of attention not bestowed on ordinary quadrupedal canines. All is well until Cookie gets noticed, first by a dog trainer, then a circus director, and finally by a Hollywood producer. They offer her snacks in exchange for increasingly complicated performances--she even gets her own TV show. Exhausted by the demands of fame, the pup realizes, with some help from a friend, that perhaps being a regular dog is best...unless she wants to reach that candy dish when no one's watching. Part picture book with full-page illustrations, part comic book with speech balloons and panels, the story is illustrated in a cartoonish two-dimensional cartoon style. Funny antics abound--Cookie walking on top of a lion statue, across a flaming board over a pond filled with snapping turtles, or saying 'Mall Moo Mitt!' ('I'll do it!') through a mouthful of snacks. Cookie is not quite on a par with Susan Meddaugh's Martha, but her fans may enjoy this spunky talking (and walking) dog. --School Library Journal --Journal A canine parable about the dangers of fame. Cookie is an ordinary dog, except that she walks on two feet instead of four. When questioned by her dog friend Kevin, she explains that being taller has helped her in many situations--especially reaching the candy dish. In fact, she likes walking on two feet so much that she keeps doing it. She walks on a treadmill, up the stairs, down a meandering country path, everywhere. Then she learns to walk on balls, railings and flaming boards across a pool filled with snapping turtles (the logical next step). Her bipedal walking causes so such excitement that she is asked to join the circus. She even gets her own television show! Kevin is excited for Cookie's fortune, but he sees that she is exhausted. Cookie's only chance at survival is to put all four feet on the floor and simply walk away. But can she do it? Monroe's playful illustrations are filled with sly adult asides and plenty of detail for sharp-eyed young readers. Similar to Monroe's first animal hero, Monkey with a Tool Belt (2008, etc.), Cookie has an oversized head and spindly legs, which makes her upright walk all the more amusing. Moral: Fame isn't all that it's cracked up to be, even if it does come with a fanny pack. --Kirkus Reviews--Journal
'Cookie, the Walker' flips the theme of individuality on its head. Chris Monroe ('Big Little Brother') writes and illustrates this story of a dog who has taught herself to walk upright, a skill that allows Cookie to 'reach the candy dish, ' 'pull damp towels off the towel racks' and perform other assorted people-pleasing tricks. Fame and fortune swiftly follow. Soon, Cookie becomes a popular circus act and, eventually, a top-rated television star. But along the adoration and ample snacks come constant demands on her time, leaving her homesick and worn down. What to do? Continue walking upright or return to a more traditional canine posture? Her decision, to 'stand down, ' returns Cookie to her best pal Kevin, but at the cost of the gift that made her special. Told in a bright and fun comic-book style with plenty of illustrations that will hold readers' interest upon repeated viewings, 'Cookie, the Walker' is the rare picture book that actually questions the value of standing out. After putting it down, though, I couldn't help feeling a twinge of sympathy for poor Cookie, reduced to standing upright only when nobody else is around to see. Bummer. --The New York Times Book Review --Newspaper Oh, fame. How it messes with one's head. In this case, the head belongs to a dog named Cookie. Cookie can expertly walk on her hind legs, which people think is cute. So cute, in fact, that Cookie is booked for a dog show where she walks on a ball across a flaming board over a kiddie pool. This gets her a circus gig and then a TV show. Whenever her friend Kevin comes to visit, Cookie says she is happy. She likes the treats and the fanny pack that come with the job. But as the pressure on her grows, she wavers. And her legs hurt. Can she give it all up? Some of the humor might go past the intended audience (like the way the bigwigs are always, literally, kicking Kevin out the way), but there's so much for them to look at and like, particularly the funny, deadpan moments that occur throughout. Executed in ink and wash, the cartoonish pictures take up full pages, some sprinkled with vignettes, others in panels. This is for more than one reading--all the better to get the message across. --Booklist --Journal Cookie the dog discovers that she can walk on her hind legs, a skill that provides her with access to the family's candy dish, the ice maker on the fridge, and damp towels on the bathroom rack. Her newfound talent also puts Cookie on the road to stardom--a gig with a local dog show leads to a spot in a circus which leads to her own TV show--but she soon finds that fame is just a weary treadmill trot, as each performance must outdo the one before. Her pal Kevin is saddened by Cookie's distress and suggests that the solution is as simple as putting all four feet on the floor. When Cookie's Hollywood producer spies her 'standing down, ' he is horrified and fires her on the spot, much to Cookie's and Kev's delight--although Cookie continues to occasionally make use of her ability to procure candy, 'unattended bacon, ' or 'an extra-fluffy towel.' Monroe proves here again that she is a master of understated absurdity and quirky humor, and Monkey with a Tool Belt (BCCB 6/08) fans will be right at home with wide-eyed, perky-eared Cookie. The amusingly goofy text and absurd asides will appeal to a wide age range of kids. Monroe's detailed illustrations, which frequently utilize comics-like panels and word balloons, have a squiggly, childlike look that is both endearing and humorous. Gray Cookie, with her oversized head, hot pink collar, and penchant for snacks, is a fetching leading lady, and one can only hope that we haven't seen the last of her yet. --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books --Journal Though the illustrative style and storyline will make this book a favorite for younger children, this 'be careful what you wish for' tale has several themes that will provide topics for classroom discussion with older children. Cookie, a family pet, learns to walk on her hind legs because it has advantages; mainly treats! Cookie begins to walk everywhere, but things quickly spiral out of control. Suddenly Cookie is walking for everyone else's reasons, but eventually realizes that she misses other important parts of her life. Younger children will love the colorful, quirky illustrations and speech bubbles, but vocabulary and word choice, plus themes of celebrity, friendship, motivation, and consequences, make this title valuable for classroom discussions. --Library Media Connection --Journal Cookie is no ordinary dog. She discovers that if she walks on her hind legs, she can reach the candy dish, turn on the TV, and get lots of attention not bestowed on ordinary quadrupedal canines. All is well until Cookie gets noticed, first by a dog trainer, then a circus director, and finally by a Hollywood producer. They offer her snacks in exchange for increasingly complicated performances--she even gets her own TV show. Exhausted by the demands of fame, the pup realizes, with some help from a friend, that perhaps being a regular dog is best...unless she wants to reach that candy dish when no one's watching. Part picture book with full-page illustrations, part comic book with speech balloons and panels, the story is illustrated in a cartoonish two-dimensional cartoon style. Funny antics abound--Cookie walking on top of a lion statue, across a flaming board over a pond filled with snapping turtles, or saying 'Mall Moo Mitt!' ('I'll do it!') through a mouthful of snacks. Cookie is not quite on a par with Susan Meddaugh's Martha, but her fans may enjoy this spunky talking (and walking) dog. --School Library Journal --Journal The road to fame is paved with snacks for a dog who eschews convention in Monroe's wryly witty story about the virtues of keeping one's feet on the ground. When Cookie discovers how handy it is to walk on her hind legs, she's on a fast track to the big time: 'Well, I can reach the candy dish now... which is great, ' she tells her supportive but skeptical pal Kevin. A daring walk across a flaming board placed over a kiddie pool filled with snapping turtles is just the beginning: the circus and a Hollywood producer come calling, and Cookie is soon starring in her own TV show. But when an exhausted Cookie receives a proposal to walk around the world, she must make a tough decision. Monroe (the Monkey with a Tool Belt books) explores the pitfalls of fame through deadpan narration and celebrity stereotypes, all captured in tidy comics-style panels. Cookie's relationship with Kevin plays out in several tender exchanges, even as the stalwart dog is unceremoniously shoved out of the way by Cookie's 'people.' --PW Online --Journal A canine parable about the dangers of fame. Cookie is an ordinary dog, except that she walks on two feet instead of four. When questioned by her dog friend Kevin, she explains that being taller has helped her in many situations--especially reaching the candy dish. In fact, she likes walking on two feet so much that she keeps doing it. She walks on a treadmill, up the stairs, down a meandering country path, everywhere. Then she learns to walk on balls, railings and flaming boards across a pool filled with snapping turtles (the logical next step). Her bipedal walking causes so such excitement that she is asked to join the circus. She even gets her own television show! Kevin is excited for Cookie's fortune, but he sees that she is exhausted. Cookie's only chance at survival is to put all four feet on the floor and simply walk away. But can she do it? Monroe's playful illustrations are filled with sly adult asides and plenty of detail for sharp-eyed young readers. Similar to Monroe's first animal hero, Monkey with a Tool Belt (2008, etc.), Cookie has an oversized head and spindly legs, which makes her upright walk all the more amusing. Moral: Fame isn't all that it's cracked up to be, even if it does come with a fanny pack. --Kirkus Reviews--Journal
Cookie the dog discovers that she can walk on her hind legs, a skill that provides her with access to the family's candy dish, the ice maker on the fridge, and damp towels on the bathroom rack. Her newfound talent also puts Cookie on the road to stardom--a gig with a local dog show leads to a spot in a circus which leads to her own TV show--but she soon finds that fame is just a weary treadmill trot, as each performance must outdo the one before. Her pal Kevin is saddened by Cookie's distress and suggests that the solution is as simple as putting all four feet on the floor. When Cookie's Hollywood producer spies her 'standing down, ' he is horrified and fires her on the spot, much to Cookie's and Kev's delight--although Cookie continues to occasionally make use of her ability to procure candy, 'unattended bacon, ' or 'an extra-fluffy towel.' Monroe proves here again that she is a master of understated absurdity and quirky humor, and Monkey with a Tool Belt (BCCB 6/08) fans will be right at home with wide-eyed, perky-eared Cookie. The amusingly goofy text and absurd asides will appeal to a wide age range of kids. Monroe's detailed illustrations, which frequently utilize comics-like panels and word balloons, have a squiggly, childlike look that is both endearing and humorous. Gray Cookie, with her oversized head, hot pink collar, and penchant for snacks, is a fetching leading lady, and one can only hope that we haven't seen the last of her yet. --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books --Journal A canine parable about the dangers of fame. Cookie is an ordinary dog, except that she walks on two feet instead of four. When questioned by her dog friend Kevin, she explains that being taller has helped her in many situations--especially reaching the candy dish. In fact, she likes walking on two feet so much that she keeps doing it. She walks on a treadmill, up the stairs, down a meandering country path, everywhere. Then she learns to walk on balls, railings and flaming boards across a pool filled with snapping turtles (the logical next step). Her bipedal walking causes so such excitement that she is asked to join the circus. She even gets her own television show! Kevin is excited for Cookie's fortune, but he sees that she is exhausted. Cookie's only chance at survival is to put all four feet on the floor and simply walk away. But can she do it? Monroe's playful illustrations are filled with sly adult asides and plenty of detail for sharp-eyed young readers. Similar to Monroe's first animal hero, Monkey with a Tool Belt (2008, etc.), Cookie has an oversized head and spindly legs, which makes her upright walk all the more amusing. Moral: Fame isn't all that it's cracked up to be, even if it does come with a fanny pack. --Kirkus Reviews--Journal 'Cookie, the Walker' flips the theme of individuality on its head. Chris Monroe ('Big Little Brother') writes and illustrates this story of a dog who has taught herself to walk upright, a skill that allows Cookie to 'reach the candy dish, ' 'pull damp towels off the towel racks' and perform other assorted people-pleasing tricks. Fame and fortune swiftly follow. Soon, Cookie becomes a popular circus act and, eventually, a top-rated television star. But along the adoration and ample snacks come constant demands on her time, leaving her homesick and worn down. What to do? Continue walking upright or return to a more traditional canine posture? Her decision, to 'stand down, ' returns Cookie to her best pal Kevin, but at the cost of the gift that made her special. Told in a bright and fun comic-book style with plenty of illustrations that will hold readers' interest upon repeated viewings, 'Cookie, the Walker' is the rare picture book that actually questions the value of standing out. After putting it down, though, I couldn't help feeling a twinge of sympathy for poor Cookie, reduced to standing upright only when nobody else is around to see. Bummer. --The New York Times Book Review --Newspaper Oh, fame. How it messes with one's head. In this case, the head belongs to a dog named Cookie. Cookie can expertly walk on her hind legs, which people think is cute. So cute, in fact, that Cookie is booked for a dog show where she walks on a ball across a flaming board over a kiddie pool. This gets her a circus gig and then a TV show. Whenever her friend Kevin comes to visit, Cookie says she is happy. She likes the treats and the fanny pack that come with the job. But as the pressure on her grows, she wavers. And her legs hurt. Can she give it all up? Some of the humor might go past the intended audience (like the way the bigwigs are always, literally, kicking Kevin out the way), but there's so much for them to look at and like, particularly the funny, deadpan moments that occur throughout. Executed in ink and wash, the cartoonish pictures take up full pages, some sprinkled with vignettes, others in panels. This is for more than one reading--all the better to get the message across. --Booklist --Journal Though the illustrative style and storyline will make this book a favorite for younger children, this 'be careful what you wish for' tale has several themes that will provide topics for classroom discussion with older children. Cookie, a family pet, learns to walk on her hind legs because it has advantages; mainly treats! Cookie begins to walk everywhere, but things quickly spiral out of control. Suddenly Cookie is walking for everyone else's reasons, but eventually realizes that she misses other important parts of her life. Younger children will love the colorful, quirky illustrations and speech bubbles, but vocabulary and word choice, plus themes of celebrity, friendship, motivation, and consequences, make this title valuable for classroom discussions. --Library Media Connection --Journal Cookie is no ordinary dog. She discovers that if she walks on her hind legs, she can reach the candy dish, turn on the TV, and get lots of attention not bestowed on ordinary quadrupedal canines. All is well until Cookie gets noticed, first by a dog trainer, then a circus director, and finally by a Hollywood producer. They offer her snacks in exchange for increasingly complicated performances--she even gets her own TV show. Exhausted by the demands of fame, the pup realizes, with some help from a friend, that perhaps being a regular dog is best...unless she wants to reach that candy dish when no one's watching. Part picture book with full-page illustrations, part comic book with speech balloons and panels, the story is illustrated in a cartoonish two-dimensional cartoon style. Funny antics abound--Cookie walking on top of a lion statue, across a flaming board over a pond filled with snapping turtles, or saying 'Mall Moo Mitt!' ('I'll do it!') through a mouthful of snacks. Cookie is not quite on a par with Susan Meddaugh's Martha, but her fans may enjoy this spunky talking (and walking) dog. --School Library Journal --Journal The road to fame is paved with snacks for a dog who eschews convention in Monroe's wryly witty story about the virtues of keeping one's feet on the ground. When Cookie discovers how handy it is to walk on her hind legs, she's on a fast track to the big time: 'Well, I can reach the candy dish now... which is great, ' she tells her supportive but skeptical pal Kevin. A daring walk across a flaming board placed over a kiddie pool filled with snapping turtles is just the beginning: the circus and a Hollywood producer come calling, and Cookie is soon starring in her own TV show. But when an exhausted Cookie receives a proposal to walk around the world, she must make a tough decision. Monroe (the Monkey with a Tool Belt books) explores the pitfalls of fame through deadpan narration and celebrity stereotypes, all captured in tidy comics-style panels. Cookie's relationship with Kevin plays out in several tender exchanges, even as the stalwart dog is unceremoniously shoved out of the way by Cookie's 'people.' --PW Online --Journal
'Cookie, the Walker' flips the theme of individuality on its head. Chris Monroe ('Big Little Brother') writes and illustrates this story of a dog who has taught herself to walk upright, a skill that allows Cookie to 'reach the candy dish, ' 'pull damp towels off the towel racks' and perform other assorted people-pleasing tricks. Fame and fortune swiftly follow. Soon, Cookie becomes a popular circus act and, eventually, a top-rated television star. But along the adoration and ample snacks come constant demands on her time, leaving her homesick and worn down. What to do? Continue walking upright or return to a more traditional canine posture? Her decision, to 'stand down, ' returns Cookie to her best pal Kevin, but at the cost of the gift that made her special. Told in a bright and fun comic-book style with plenty of illustrations that will hold readers' interest upon repeated viewings, 'Cookie, the Walker' is the rare picture book that actually questions the value of standing out. After putting it down, though, I couldn't help feeling a twinge of sympathy for poor Cookie, reduced to standing upright only when nobody else is around to see. Bummer. --The New York Times Book Review --Newspaper Cookie is no ordinary dog. She discovers that if she walks on her hind legs, she can reach the candy dish, turn on the TV, and get lots of attention not bestowed on ordinary quadrupedal canines. All is well until Cookie gets noticed, first by a dog trainer, then a circus director, and finally by a Hollywood producer. They offer her snacks in exchange for increasingly complicated performances--she even gets her own TV show. Exhausted by the demands of fame, the pup realizes, with some help from a friend, that perhaps being a regular dog is best...unless she wants to reach that candy dish when no one's watching. Part picture book with full-page illustrations, part comic book with speech balloons and panels, the story is illustrated in a cartoonish two-dimensional cartoon style. Funny antics abound--Cookie walking on top of a lion statue, across a flaming board over a pond filled with snapping turtles, or saying 'Mall Moo Mitt!' ('I'll do it!') through a mouthful of snacks. Cookie is not quite on a par with Susan Meddaugh's Martha, but her fans may enjoy this spunky talking (and walking) dog. --School Library Journal --Journal Oh, fame. How it messes with one's head. In this case, the head belongs to a dog named Cookie. Cookie can expertly walk on her hind legs, which people think is cute. So cute, in fact, that Cookie is booked for a dog show where she walks on a ball across a flaming board over a kiddie pool. This gets her a circus gig and then a TV show. Whenever her friend Kevin comes to visit, Cookie says she is happy. She likes the treats and the fanny pack that come with the job. But as the pressure on her grows, she wavers. And her legs hurt. Can she give it all up? Some of the humor might go past the intended audience (like the way the bigwigs are always, literally, kicking Kevin out the way), but there's so much for them to look at and like, particularly the funny, deadpan moments that occur throughout. Executed in ink and wash, the cartoonish pictures take up full pages, some sprinkled with vignettes, others in panels. This is for more than one reading--all the better to get the message across. --Booklist --Journal Cookie the dog discovers that she can walk on her hind legs, a skill that provides her with access to the family's candy dish, the ice maker on the fridge, and damp towels on the bathroom rack. Her newfound talent also puts Cookie on the road to stardom--a gig with a local dog show leads to a spot in a circus which leads to her own TV show--but she soon finds that fame is just a weary treadmill trot, as each performance must outdo the one before. Her pal Kevin is saddened by Cookie's distress and suggests that the solution is as simple as putting all four feet on the floor. When Cookie's Hollywood producer spies her 'standing down, ' he is horrified and fires her on the spot, much to Cookie's and Kev's delight--although Cookie continues to occasionally make use of her ability to procure candy, 'unattended bacon, ' or 'an extra-fluffy towel.' Monroe proves here again that she is a master of understated absurdity and quirky humor, and Monkey with a Tool Belt (BCCB 6/08) fans will be right at home with wide-eyed, perky-eared Cookie. The amusingly goofy text and absurd asides will appeal to a wide age range of kids. Monroe's detailed illustrations, which frequently utilize comics-like panels and word balloons, have a squiggly, childlike look that is both endearing and humorous. Gray Cookie, with her oversized head, hot pink collar, and penchant for snacks, is a fetching leading lady, and one can only hope that we haven't seen the last of her yet. --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books --Journal Though the illustrative style and storyline will make this book a favorite for younger children, this 'be careful what you wish for' tale has several themes that will provide topics for classroom discussion with older children. Cookie, a family pet, learns to walk on her hind legs because it has advantages; mainly treats! Cookie begins to walk everywhere, but things quickly spiral out of control. Suddenly Cookie is walking for everyone else's reasons, but eventually realizes that she misses other important parts of her life. Younger children will love the colorful, quirky illustrations and speech bubbles, but vocabulary and word choice, plus themes of celebrity, friendship, motivation, and consequences, make this title valuable for classroom discussions. --Library Media Connection --Journal The road to fame is paved with snacks for a dog who eschews convention in Monroe's wryly witty story about the virtues of keeping one's feet on the ground. When Cookie discovers how handy it is to walk on her hind legs, she's on a fast track to the big time: 'Well, I can reach the candy dish now... which is great, ' she tells her supportive but skeptical pal Kevin. A daring walk across a flaming board placed over a kiddie pool filled with snapping turtles is just the beginning: the circus and a Hollywood producer come calling, and Cookie is soon starring in her own TV show. But when an exhausted Cookie receives a proposal to walk around the world, she must make a tough decision. Monroe (the Monkey with a Tool Belt books) explores the pitfalls of fame through deadpan narration and celebrity stereotypes, all captured in tidy comics-style panels. Cookie's relationship with Kevin plays out in several tender exchanges, even as the stalwart dog is unceremoniously shoved out of the way by Cookie's 'people.' --PW Online --Journal A canine parable about the dangers of fame. Cookie is an ordinary dog, except that she walks on two feet instead of four. When questioned by her dog friend Kevin, she explains that being taller has helped her in many situations--especially reaching the candy dish. In fact, she likes walking on two feet so much that she keeps doing it. She walks on a treadmill, up the stairs, down a meandering country path, everywhere. Then she learns to walk on balls, railings and flaming boards across a pool filled with snapping turtles (the logical next step). Her bipedal walking causes so such excitement that she is asked to join the circus. She even gets her own television show! Kevin is excited for Cookie's fortune, but he sees that she is exhausted. Cookie's only chance at survival is to put all four feet on the floor and simply walk away. But can she do it? Monroe's playful illustrations are filled with sly adult asides and plenty of detail for sharp-eyed young readers. Similar to Monroe's first animal hero, Monkey with a Tool Belt (2008, etc.), Cookie has an oversized head and spindly legs, which makes her upright walk all the more amusing. Moral: Fame isn't all that it's cracked up to be, even if it does come with a fanny pack. --Kirkus Reviews--Journal
'Cookie, the Walker' flips the theme of individuality on its head. Chris Monroe ('Big Little Brother') writes and illustrates this story of a dog who has taught herself to walk upright, a skill that allows Cookie to 'reach the candy dish, ' 'pull damp towels off the towel racks' and perform other assorted people-pleasing tricks. Fame and fortune swiftly follow. Soon, Cookie becomes a popular circus act and, eventually, a top-rated television star. But along the adoration and ample snacks come constant demands on her time, leaving her homesick and worn down. What to do? Continue walking upright or return to a more traditional canine posture? Her decision, to 'stand down, ' returns Cookie to her best pal Kevin, but at the cost of the gift that made her special. Told in a bright and fun comic-book style with plenty of illustrations that will hold readers' interest upon repeated viewings, 'Cookie, the Walker' is the rare picture book that actually questions the value of standing out. After putting it down, though, I couldn't help feeling a twinge of sympathy for poor Cookie, reduced to standing upright only when nobody else is around to see. Bummer. --The New York Times Book Review --Newspaper Cookie the dog discovers that she can walk on her hind legs, a skill that provides her with access to the family's candy dish, the ice maker on the fridge, and damp towels on the bathroom rack. Her newfound talent also puts Cookie on the road to stardom--a gig with a local dog show leads to a spot in a circus which leads to her own TV show--but she soon finds that fame is just a weary treadmill trot, as each performance must outdo the one before. Her pal Kevin is saddened by Cookie's distress and suggests that the solution is as simple as putting all four feet on the floor. When Cookie's Hollywood producer spies her 'standing down, ' he is horrified and fires her on the spot, much to Cookie's and Kev's delight--although Cookie continues to occasionally make use of her ability to procure candy, 'unattended bacon, ' or 'an extra-fluffy towel.' Monroe proves here again that she is a master of understated absurdity and quirky humor, and Monkey with a Tool Belt (BCCB 6/08) fans will be right at home with wide-eyed, perky-eared Cookie. The amusingly goofy text and absurd asides will appeal to a wide age range of kids. Monroe's detailed illustrations, which frequently utilize comics-like panels and word balloons, have a squiggly, childlike look that is both endearing and humorous. Gray Cookie, with her oversized head, hot pink collar, and penchant for snacks, is a fetching leading lady, and one can only hope that we haven't seen the last of her yet. --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books --Journal Cookie is no ordinary dog. She discovers that if she walks on her hind legs, she can reach the candy dish, turn on the TV, and get lots of attention not bestowed on ordinary quadrupedal canines. All is well until Cookie gets noticed, first by a dog trainer, then a circus director, and finally by a Hollywood producer. They offer her snacks in exchange for increasingly complicated performances--she even gets her own TV show. Exhausted by the demands of fame, the pup realizes, with some help from a friend, that perhaps being a regular dog is best...unless she wants to reach that candy dish when no one's watching. Part picture book with full-page illustrations, part comic book with speech balloons and panels, the story is illustrated in a cartoonish two-dimensional cartoon style. Funny antics abound--Cookie walking on top of a lion statue, across a flaming board over a pond filled with snapping turtles, or saying 'Mall Moo Mitt!' ('I'll do it!') through a mouthful of snacks. Cookie is not quite on a par with Susan Meddaugh's Martha, but her fans may enjoy this spunky talking (and walking) dog. --School Library Journal --Journal A canine parable about the dangers of fame. Cookie is an ordinary dog, except that she walks on two feet instead of four. When questioned by her dog friend Kevin, she explains that being taller has helped her in many situations--especially reaching the candy dish. In fact, she likes walking on two feet so much that she keeps doing it. She walks on a treadmill, up the stairs, down a meandering country path, everywhere. Then she learns to walk on balls, railings and flaming boards across a pool filled with snapping turtles (the logical next step). Her bipedal walking causes so such excitement that she is asked to join the circus. She even gets her own television show! Kevin is excited for Cookie's fortune, but he sees that she is exhausted. Cookie's only chance at survival is to put all four feet on the floor and simply walk away. But can she do it? Monroe's playful illustrations are filled with sly adult asides and plenty of detail for sharp-eyed young readers. Similar to Monroe's first animal hero, Monkey with a Tool Belt (2008, etc.), Cookie has an oversized head and spindly legs, which makes her upright walk all the more amusing. Moral: Fame isn't all that it's cracked up to be, even if it does come with a fanny pack. --Kirkus Reviews--Journal Oh, fame. How it messes with one's head. In this case, the head belongs to a dog named Cookie. Cookie can expertly walk on her hind legs, which people think is cute. So cute, in fact, that Cookie is booked for a dog show where she walks on a ball across a flaming board over a kiddie pool. This gets her a circus gig and then a TV show. Whenever her friend Kevin comes to visit, Cookie says she is happy. She likes the treats and the fanny pack that come with the job. But as the pressure on her grows, she wavers. And her legs hurt. Can she give it all up? Some of the humor might go past the intended audience (like the way the bigwigs are always, literally, kicking Kevin out the way), but there's so much for them to look at and like, particularly the funny, deadpan moments that occur throughout. Executed in ink and wash, the cartoonish pictures take up full pages, some sprinkled with vignettes, others in panels. This is for more than one reading--all the better to get the message across. --Booklist --Journal Though the illustrative style and storyline will make this book a favorite for younger children, this 'be careful what you wish for' tale has several themes that will provide topics for classroom discussion with older children. Cookie, a family pet, learns to walk on her hind legs because it has advantages; mainly treats! Cookie begins to walk everywhere, but things quickly spiral out of control. Suddenly Cookie is walking for everyone else's reasons, but eventually realizes that she misses other important parts of her life. Younger children will love the colorful, quirky illustrations and speech bubbles, but vocabulary and word choice, plus themes of celebrity, friendship, motivation, and consequences, make this title valuable for classroom discussions. --Library Media Connection --Journal The road to fame is paved with snacks for a dog who eschews convention in Monroe's wryly witty story about the virtues of keeping one's feet on the ground. When Cookie discovers how handy it is to walk on her hind legs, she's on a fast track to the big time: 'Well, I can reach the candy dish now... which is great, ' she tells her supportive but skeptical pal Kevin. A daring walk across a flaming board placed over a kiddie pool filled with snapping turtles is just the beginning: the circus and a Hollywood producer come calling, and Cookie is soon starring in her own TV show. But when an exhausted Cookie receives a proposal to walk around the world, she must make a tough decision. Monroe (the Monkey with a Tool Belt books) explores the pitfalls of fame through deadpan narration and celebrity stereotypes, all captured in tidy comics-style panels. Cookie's relationship with Kevin plays out in several tender exchanges, even as the stalwart dog is unceremoniously shoved out of the way by Cookie's 'people.' --PW Online --Journal
Cookie the dog discovers that she can walk on her hind legs, a skill that provides her with access to the family's candy dish, the ice maker on the fridge, and damp towels on the bathroom rack. Her newfound talent also puts Cookie on the road to stardom--a gig with a local dog show leads to a spot in a circus which leads to her own TV show--but she soon finds that fame is just a weary treadmill trot, as each performance must outdo the one before. Her pal Kevin is saddened by Cookie's distress and suggests that the solution is as simple as putting all four feet on the floor. When Cookie's Hollywood producer spies her 'standing down, ' he is horrified and fires her on the spot, much to Cookie's and Kev's delight--although Cookie continues to occasionally make use of her ability to procure candy, 'unattended bacon, ' or 'an extra-fluffy towel.' Monroe proves here again that she is a master of understated absurdity and quirky humor, and Monkey with a Tool Belt (BCCB 6/08) fans will be right at home with wide-eyed, perky-eared Cookie. The amusingly goofy text and absurd asides will appeal to a wide age range of kids. Monroe's detailed illustrations, which frequently utilize comics-like panels and word balloons, have a squiggly, childlike look that is both endearing and humorous. Gray Cookie, with her oversized head, hot pink collar, and penchant for snacks, is a fetching leading lady, and one can only hope that we haven't seen the last of her yet. --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books --Journal 'Cookie, the Walker' flips the theme of individuality on its head. Chris Monroe ('Big Little Brother') writes and illustrates this story of a dog who has taught herself to walk upright, a skill that allows Cookie to 'reach the candy dish, ' 'pull damp towels off the towel racks' and perform other assorted people-pleasing tricks. Fame and fortune swiftly follow. Soon, Cookie becomes a popular circus act and, eventually, a top-rated television star. But along the adoration and ample snacks come constant demands on her time, leaving her homesick and worn down. What to do? Continue walking upright or return to a more traditional canine posture? Her decision, to 'stand down, ' returns Cookie to her best pal Kevin, but at the cost of the gift that made her special. Told in a bright and fun comic-book style with plenty of illustrations that will hold readers' interest upon repeated viewings, 'Cookie, the Walker' is the rare picture book that actually questions the value of standing out. After putting it down, though, I couldn't help feeling a twinge of sympathy for poor Cookie, reduced to standing upright only when nobody else is around to see. Bummer. --The New York Times Book Review --Newspaper Oh, fame. How it messes with one's head. In this case, the head belongs to a dog named Cookie. Cookie can expertly walk on her hind legs, which people think is cute. So cute, in fact, that Cookie is booked for a dog show where she walks on a ball across a flaming board over a kiddie pool. This gets her a circus gig and then a TV show. Whenever her friend Kevin comes to visit, Cookie says she is happy. She likes the treats and the fanny pack that come with the job. But as the pressure on her grows, she wavers. And her legs hurt. Can she give it all up? Some of the humor might go past the intended audience (like the way the bigwigs are always, literally, kicking Kevin out the way), but there's so much for them to look at and like, particularly the funny, deadpan moments that occur throughout. Executed in ink and wash, the cartoonish pictures take up full pages, some sprinkled with vignettes, others in panels. This is for more than one reading--all the better to get the message across. --Booklist --Journal Though the illustrative style and storyline will make this book a favorite for younger children, this 'be careful what you wish for' tale has several themes that will provide topics for classroom discussion with older children. Cookie, a family pet, learns to walk on her hind legs because it has advantages; mainly treats! Cookie begins to walk everywhere, but things quickly spiral out of control. Suddenly Cookie is walking for everyone else's reasons, but eventually realizes that she misses other important parts of her life. Younger children will love the colorful, quirky illustrations and speech bubbles, but vocabulary and word choice, plus themes of celebrity, friendship, motivation, and consequences, make this title valuable for classroom discussions. --Library Media Connection --Journal Cookie is no ordinary dog. She discovers that if she walks on her hind legs, she can reach the candy dish, turn on the TV, and get lots of attention not bestowed on ordinary quadrupedal canines. All is well until Cookie gets noticed, first by a dog trainer, then a circus director, and finally by a Hollywood producer. They offer her snacks in exchange for increasingly complicated performances--she even gets her own TV show. Exhausted by the demands of fame, the pup realizes, with some help from a friend, that perhaps being a regular dog is best...unless she wants to reach that candy dish when no one's watching. Part picture book with full-page illustrations, part comic book with speech balloons and panels, the story is illustrated in a cartoonish two-dimensional cartoon style. Funny antics abound--Cookie walking on top of a lion statue, across a flaming board over a pond filled with snapping turtles, or saying 'Mall Moo Mitt!' ('I'll do it!') through a mouthful of snacks. Cookie is not quite on a par with Susan Meddaugh's Martha, but her fans may enjoy this spunky talking (and walking) dog. --School Library Journal --Journal The road to fame is paved with snacks for a dog who eschews convention in Monroe's wryly witty story about the virtues of keeping one's feet on the ground. When Cookie discovers how handy it is to walk on her hind legs, she's on a fast track to the big time: 'Well, I can reach the candy dish now... which is great, ' she tells her supportive but skeptical pal Kevin. A daring walk across a flaming board placed over a kiddie pool filled with snapping turtles is just the beginning: the circus and a Hollywood producer come calling, and Cookie is soon starring in her own TV show. But when an exhausted Cookie receives a proposal to walk around the world, she must make a tough decision. Monroe (the Monkey with a Tool Belt books) explores the pitfalls of fame through deadpan narration and celebrity stereotypes, all captured in tidy comics-style panels. Cookie's relationship with Kevin plays out in several tender exchanges, even as the stalwart dog is unceremoniously shoved out of the way by Cookie's 'people.' --PW Online --Journal A canine parable about the dangers of fame. Cookie is an ordinary dog, except that she walks on two feet instead of four. When questioned by her dog friend Kevin, she explains that being taller has helped her in many situations--especially reaching the candy dish. In fact, she likes walking on two feet so much that she keeps doing it. She walks on a treadmill, up the stairs, down a meandering country path, everywhere. Then she learns to walk on balls, railings and flaming boards across a pool filled with snapping turtles (the logical next step). Her bipedal walking causes so such excitement that she is asked to join the circus. She even gets her own television show! Kevin is excited for Cookie's fortune, but he sees that she is exhausted. Cookie's only chance at survival is to put all four feet on the floor and simply walk away. But can she do it? Monroe's playful illustrations are filled with sly adult asides and plenty of detail for sharp-eyed young readers. Similar to Monroe's first animal hero, Monkey with a Tool Belt (2008, etc.), Cookie has an oversized head and spindly legs, which makes her upright walk all the more amusing. Moral: Fame isn't all that it's cracked up to be, even if it does come with a fanny pack. --Kirkus Reviews--Journal
