Note: I received an unbound galley of this book from the publisher. ( )

~ borrowed from the Library

BUSTER (THE VERY SHY DOG) FINDS A KITTEN is a humorous Chapter Book at the beginning 2nd Grade level. It has 32 pages and a whopping 1,009 words divided into two chapters.

The book is about four furry friends who live in a house with each other and their human, Roger. As the story begins the two dogs, Buster and Phoebe, are readying themselves to spring out and surprise the two cats, who, sadly, don't warrant a name. They are referred to simply as calico cat and tabby cat.

As part of their play Buster hides under the porch and that's where he discovers a tiny kitten. When the kitten announces that it doesn't have a home and that it's very hungry, Buster is quick to change. No longer a cat taunter, he becomes a kitten defender. And shortly after that, as many of us have experienced no doubt, the kitten wiggles it's way into everyone's heart, even Roger, who names the kitten, Tilly.

The second chapter is actually a new story wherein Tilly goes to play with Buster and Phoebe and their friend, Gregory.

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A thousand words can be a lot for some beginning readers. In this book though the text is broken up into more manageable amounts by artwork. The artwork is adorable and funny and I was surprised to find a smile creeping across my lips. Which is to say, that there are funny elements to the story, even for adults.

The library edition I borrowed is nicely done. The paper is high quality and slick, the sort I've had good luck with as it seems to stand up to being passed around from one child to another.

The humor will ring-a-bell with adults and children who have watched cats and dogs. ( )