What could be cuter than a baby chick and a pug joining forces to take on the world as superheroes? Unfortunately for chick, the pug he meets is just an average Joe when it comes to the pug life. He's no Wonder Pug, that's for sure. This story is ultimately about finding friendship and the bond that can be created by two animals that couldn't be more different. Also, it's just freaking adorable. Horn Book (Spring 2011)Little Chick, whose favorite book is The Adventures of Wonder Pug, is thrilled to meet a real (i.e., lazy, lethargic) pug. When danger lurks in the form of a cat, Chick creates his own adventure while his hero plays dead (i.e., naps). Chick's misplaced adulation, along with repeated close-ups of the un-dynamic duo, adds lots of humor to the story.Kirkus Reviews (September 15, 2010)A little chicken enjoys his favorite comic book, The Adventures of Wonder Pug! When it's done, he goes looking for his own adventure. There's not much going on in the chicken coop, so he slips out and stumbles upon a real, live, sleeping pug who Chick assumes has all the superpowers his comic hero possesses. But Pug does not see things the same way and would prefer simply to continue with his nap. Finally Chick takes matters in his own wings when a suspicious-looking cat threatens to enter their space and lets out a loud "WOOF," powerful enough to wake even Pug. The concept is stronger than the plot, and the sarcasm that peppers the book, though entertaining, may only be understood by adults. There doesn't seem to be enough of a believable personal struggle for Chick's character, so his triumph at the end reads more random than heroic. Sattler's expressive drawings convey the humor, but the dark colors make Pug's expressions hard to decipher. Funny but forgettable. (Picture book. 3-6)Library Media Connection (November/December 2010)Beautiful acrylic and color pencil drawings add depth to this cute hero story. Chick, who has read The Adventures of Wonder Pug! over 100 times, leaves the boring chicken coop in search of excitement. What he finds is the "real" Wonder Pug, who is only wonderful at napping. When danger strikes, Chick must step up, save the day, and become Wonder Pug's sidekick. Chick is an assertive character who finds what he is searching for, even though ultimately he creates all of the excitement himself. Sattler has crafted an amusing story and created illustrations that increase the enjoyment of the tale. Little ones will be delighted to see the boring chicken coop with all of the chickens sleeping and giggle when they see Chick pulling on Pug's tail and talking in his ear to wake him up. Lovers of Mo Willems' Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (Hyperion, 2003) will especially enjoy the story. With text that is appropriate for the youngest listener and colorful pictures, this humorous picture book will be great for reading aloud and ideal for storytimes. Recommended. Karen M. Smith, Teen Librarian, Allen Park (Michigan) Public LibraryPublishers Weekly (September 13, 2010)This story about friendship will resonate with children who find their heroes in unlikely places. A small yellow chick sets off to find the kind of excitement seen in his favorite book, The Adventures of Wonder Pug! When he meets a barrel-chested pug who's more interested in sleeping than adventure, Chick still thinks he is "magnificent." Much of the book's humor revolves around Chick's misinterpretations of the dog's actions. When Pug yawns, Chick is "aflutter with excitement. eLet the adventure begin!' " And when the pug tears at the striped sweater his owner has saddled him with, Chick is the ultimate cheerleader: "Look at him go! He must have trained vigorously to bear such an opponent!" Sattler (Sylvie) is particularly adept with the characters' facial expressions. Chick is determined, baffled, surprised; Pug is long-suffering, worried, grateful. When a placid cat, Mr. Snuggles, intrudes and Pug continues to sleep ("Clearly Pug's strategy was to play dead"), the bird enters the heroic fantasy he's created, chasing the cat away with a "WOOF!" and crowing, "Mr. Snuggles didn't count on Wonder Pug having a sidekick, did he?" Ages 3-6. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.School Library Journal (November 1, 2010)PreS-Gr 1-Sattler is back with another clever yarn. "Chick had read The Adventures of Wonder Pug! 127 times. Every page was packed with excitement. But there was no excitement in the chicken coop. So Chick set off to find some." What Chick finds is an ordinary, lackadaisical pug whom he idolizes. But when the pup's baby-talking owner brings a cat over, Chick decides something must be done as "clearly, Pug's strategy was to play dead." The chick barks to frighten the feline away and declares himself Pug's sidekick. While some of the tongue-in-cheek story may go over younger children's heads, Chick's comical voice and the book's spare text are still likely to appeal to the book's audience, with the more sophisticated parts speaking to older siblings and parents. Little Chick, with his huge eyes, and Pug, who couldn't possibly be more puglike, are rendered in acrylics and colored pencil. The bright, smeary backgrounds make the two characters stand out even more, and their slightly cartoony look fits the story perfectly. In one priceless spread, Chick opens his mouth so wide that its diamond shape seems to take over his body and he yells, "woof!" In the background, the pug remains nonplussed, while, in the foreground, the terrified cat flees. Preschool fans of dogs, chickens, superheroes, and humor will all find something to like here, as will librarians looking for something to freshen up storytimes. Delightful.-Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT (c) Copyright 2010. 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What do You think about Chick 'n' Pug (2010)?
Super cute story about Chick's admiration of her hero the Pug. The illustrations are wonderful!
—adabeys
The pug reminds me of my pug in every way! Great drawings!
—Brittony08
