Wednesday, September 4, 2013

The One Hundred and One Dalmatians

The cover actually tells the story


Smith, Dodie. The One Hundred and One Dalmatians. New York, N.Y., U.S.A. : Puffin Books, 1956.

Plot: The Pongos are delighted by their first litter of puppies. The pure white babies grow quickly into spotted pups due to the care of their mother and their brown-spotted wet nurse, Perdita. However, an old grudge and acquaintance of their humans sets off a chain of events destined to change the family forever. Pongo and his wife must save their puppies, as well as nearly one hundred other pups, from the evil intentions of Cruella de Vil. However, rescuing the puppies may not be enough to save the dogs of England. The Pongos must utilize the skill every available ally in their quest to secure the future of dalmatians everywhere.

Genre: Animals, Fantasy

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Sounder, Big Red

Personal Thoughts: The Disney version of the story was one of my favorites when I was a tween. However, I think I like the book a bit more. It includes more information about dalmatians as a breed, as well as more humor, than the animated title.

The book inspired a sequel known as The Starlight Barking. Since the title features dogs granted psychic abilities and humanity placed in stasis in an elaborate plot to prevent atomic war, it is seldom mentioned.

  

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