Puppy Mudge Takes a Bath

From School Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 1-This slight tale is tailored to the needs of beginning readers with a vocabulary of approximately 40 words. Rylant casts her well-loved characters in a prequel set during Mudge's puppy days. The irresistible pooch loves getting muddy, but doesn't love baths. Henry solves this dilemma by getting in the tub with him. Mones's serviceable pen-and-ink and watercolor cartoons, done in the style of Su‡ie Stevenson's work, exaggerate the dog's charms. However, neither puppy Mudge nor Henry looks noticeably younger than in the earlier books; in fact, if you go back, you'll see that puppy Mudge looks nothing like the dog depicted in the original series. Though the pup is as engaging as always, this derivative spin-off does not meet the high standards set by the original series.