Good for talking about summarizing, plot, and retell.

Poor little Widget, stuck in a house with all cats, that is until a little puppy finds her way into their home. Of course Widget is put on puppy sitting duty until Mrs. Diggs finds her owner. Although it sure is hard for Widget when this puppy gets into everything, even the groundhog's hole! In the end although, Widget and the puppy bond and play all day until her owner comes to get her.

Teaching Ideas: friendship ( )

A cute story of a rambunctious little puppy. While Widget the dog is watching him he gets into EVERYTHING! Poor Widget doesn't know what to do! A funny story that kids would enjoy, ( )

In Widget's first story, he's a small, lonely dog with no home. When Widget finds a home, it's not the human he has to convince to let him stay - it's the Girls. Six formidable pussies, who are NOT enthusiastic about letting a dog into their home. But wait! He's not really a dog...or is he?

In Widget's second story, the Girls look on disapprovingly as Widget "watches" a puppy. But in the end, Widget, and the Girls, discover how much fun the puppy can be!
These simple doggy stories have exquisitely humorous illustrations that won't pass over children's heads. Widget's expressions are priceless and each story has a surprising ending!

Verdict: These are great storytime staples for dog and cat themed storytimes and fun for casual reading at any time.

Widget
ISBN: 978-1439551684; Published 2001 by Farrar Straus Giroux (later editions still in print); Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library (not by me - I wasn't here then!); Added to my personal wishlist

Widget and the puppy
ISBN: 978-0374384296; Published August 2004 by Farrar Strauss & Giroux (out of print); Borrowed from the library; Added to my personal wishlist

So-so read aloud, an older dog is put in charge of watching a younger puppy, the "girls" (a large group of cats) don't like the job he is doing. ( )