children's chapter book (grades 2-4, younger as a readaloud)
Funniest when read aloud by a skilled reader; younger readers will still enjoy the charming illustrations and silly plotlines but may struggle a bit with the vocabulary (and may miss the subtleties of Gizmo's evil villain voice). So not one that I'd necessarily group with the moving up/beginner chapter books, but I think it will be great for experienced readers and definitely as a read-aloud. ( )

Very well done, Suzanne Selfors! Funny and sweet! I don’t know who I loved more, Wedgie (the dog who thinks he’s a superhero) or Gizmo, the evil genius guinea pig. They are both full of personality and lend hilarious perspectives to this dual-voice story.

This is very funny little read. Wedgie reminds us of our Harry and Gizmo, while more evil than our sweet cavies, is hilarious. ( )

Recommended Ages: Gr. 3-5

Plot Summary: Gizmo is a new home because his master Elliot is now part of a blended family. Unfortuntaely, Gizmo's cage broke in transit and Gizmo has to temporarily be housed in Jasmine's Barbie dreamhouse in Jasmine's room. Elliot doesn't like it and doesn't trust Jasmine. When Gizmo waits until everyone is asleep to explore the house, he finds a cereal box and stuffs himself full. The next day Elliot accuses Jasmine of feeding him something she shouldn't have and they all rush to the vet, much to Wedgie's dismay. The Barbie dreamhouse is moved into Elliot's room and tension remains between the new siblings. Meanwhile, Gizmo is totally unaware why his stomach hurt and proceeds with his plans to try to take over the world. He wants to move to Peru where guinea pigs are from, until they watch a documentary and he discovers they eat guinea pigs in Peru. What's worse, Jasmine's grandmother, who lives with them, is from Peru! Now he has two enemies: the grandmother and Wedgie who lovingly tries to help Gizmo often. Will he succeed in his plans to take over? Will his new cage ever arrive? Will the family ever figure out what actually happened to his stomach?

Setting: suburban-ish, Wedgie barks at a neighbor dog and buries a bone in the yard

Characters:
Wedgie - dog, wears a cape, always excited and loving
Gizmo - guinea pig, wants to take over the world
Elliot - Gizmo's owner
Jasmine - Elliot's new step-sister
Gweneviere - guinea pig that Gizmo is obsessed with from the pet shop

Recurring Themes: loyalty, blended family

Controversial Issues: none

Personal Thoughts: Well written, perfect example of voice and perspective. It's a fun, quick read.

Genre: Fantasy - talking animals

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Activity: ( )

This book features a corgi and a guinea pig. It was clearly written FOR ME. Pause for dying over the cuteness.

So. The book is told in two voices. The first is Gizmo, the evil-genius guinea pig whose loyal human servant, Elliot, has abandoned him to a terrifying creature - the human girl Jasmine! Who dresses him up and carries him in her pocket! The second narrator is Wedgie, superhero corgi and all-around nice guy whose most exciting thing to do is find things to eat, go on walks, and play with his humans. Wedgie is thrilled that there are new humans to play with! Gizmo is Not Pleased. Neither is Elliot, who wanted it to stay just him, his dad, and Gizmo. Instead, he's gotten a new little sister and brother, a stepmother, annoying dog, lost his pet guinea pig (Jasmine is taking care of Gizmo while they get him a new cage) and Jasmine's Abuela is from Peru - will she, possibly, EAT GIZMO??!!

Gizmo's humorous and villainous voice is matched by Wedgie's raucous enthusiasm and both are interspersed with dialogue between the family members. By the end of the story, readers will have laughed themselves silly and also gotten to grow alongside Jasmine and Elliot who both learn to compromise a little as they blend their families. Not Gizmo though. Gizmo never compromises! Well, maybe for a few new Loyal Human Servants, as long as The Elderly One is not planning to cook him!

The glimpses of the family, seen both in humorous black and white art and through the eyes of their pets, show a mixed-race family with a variety of skin tones as well as their own unique personalities. The parents are loving but a little distracted and kids will thoroughly enjoy being the ones "in the know" as they follow along with the silly story.

Verdict: Be prepared for kids to threaten each other with "the dreaded Biju Ting Ting Scalp Massager", laugh hilariously at the "pool of a thousand pees" and name all future guinea pigs furry potatoes. Also, beware the sequel when Gizmo returns with a new, villainous plan!

ISBN: 9780062447630; Published 2017 by Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins; Borrowed from another library in my consortium