Our Dog Benji

Publishing Details

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Physical Properties

Description

We all know that dogs will eat anything. We also know that kids tastes generally arent so wide-ranging. While ice cream and pizza might be devoured in the blink of an eye, the dreaded green stuff (vegetables to the adults) is often pushed to one side of the plate. Author Pete Carter understands this phenomenon well, as he shows inthe adventures of Benji. In delightful duotone illustrations and engaging text, we see how Benjis willingness to eat anything from daffodils to brussels sprouts, ice cream to avocados, sandwiches to bones gradually inspires his child owner to be a little more adventurous at mealtimes. Although dogs and kids do have standards and it seems theres one thing neither of them will touch!The perfect book to encourage fussy eaters to try a few more vegetables! Illustrator James Henderson is Pete Carters nephew, making this picture book a family affair.

Reviews

"Carter is spot on when he writes from the perspective of an eternally ravenous hound who runs to the kitchen every morning in case the fridge had exploded overnight James Hendersons illustrations are winsome and sweet." * Books+Publishing *
This is the perfect book to share with fussy eaters and hopefully it will encourage them to be a little more adventurous. * Book Reviews Fiction Ages 5-11 *
"Benjis story is relatable and familiar; a child growing up with his best mate; his dog. Benji eats everything but the child in the story is very fussy something very common in early childhood, and beyond. Its Benjis willingness to try everything from yucky tomatoes to grass, slimy avocado to bugs, which encourages his owner to be a little adventurous and try new things except for celery; even Benji wont eat that. A simple yet effective story for young children which explores friendship, adventure and fussy eating; all of which are relevant and significant in the lives of children." -- Raquel Mayman * Our Dog Benji *
"Much like the main character in Our Dog Benji, there might be some things that Benji eats that your children might avoid (like noisy, dozy and perhaps just a little crunchy bugs!) but the heartwarming adventures of this hungry dog might help your kids become just a little less fussy at dinnertime too." * WIN! "Our Dog Benji" *
"If you have a fussy child who needs a bit of gentle encouragement when it comes to healthy eating heres a gorgeous read by EK Books to win him or her over" * Our Dog Benji *
"loved Benji's antics." * Children's Book Review *
"Given the new research that shows the food that toddlers eat has a profound effect on their lives long-term particularly their likelihood of being overweight or obese, any books that start conversations with them about nutrition and what they and their pets need to be healthy and active has to be a winner. Thumbs up for this one."
Adults concerned about fussy eaters especially, will smile at Carters tale and hope that perhaps like the small boy protagonist, their charges will try some new foods, perhaps even green stuff -- Jill R Bennett * Our Dog Benji *
"Our Dog Benji is a unique way to approach the subject of picky eating. I think you can also read this book and talk about gratitude. Benji is appreciative of what he is given. It's a sweet story that could lead to a larger discussion about what we can learn from our pets." -- Jeff Barger * Our Dog Benji *
"The kids really enjoyed this title, they enjoyed telling me all the different things there dog would eat and laughed throughout the book. All agreed that it's important to try new foods, but didn't think they would eat all the things that their dogs eat. Such as dog food, Yuck! There was a unanimous choir that celery is not a very liked food." * Reviews: Our Dog Benji *
"This is a lovely book to share with any child who might need a bit of encouragement when it comes to eating a wider variety of food I love the way it shows the sheer fun of being a bit adventurous with your food." -- Rachel A Hyde
"Herein lies the sneaky genius of this simple tale. While children chortle at Benji's love of crunchy bugs, their subconscious might begin to open up to the fun of trying new flavours...Henderson's adorable images of this four-legged optimist are the personification of dogness." * Review: Our Dog Benji *
"Part dog story, part food diary, the book Our Dog Benji outlines all of Benjis culinary adventures hilarious" * 'Our Dog Benji' Book Review *
"A delightful hardcover book, Our Dog Benji is an endearing tale that will appeal to children and adults alike and to lovers of food, dogs and whimsy." -- Elizabeth Vercoe * Our Dog Benji *
"There are quite a few picture books out there about picky eating, but this is one of the cuter ones Ive read." -- Dena * 10 Picture Books to Read Aloud to Your Kids *
"Our Dog Benji" is the perfect picture book to encourage fussy eaters to try a few more vegetables! Certain to be an enduringly popular addition to family, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections * The Picturebook Shelf *
"We know that dogs eat anything - or do they This smaller format picture book will suit small hands as the affectionate illustrations take readers through a warm relationship."
The almost exploding fridge made me laugh-my cat does that with her food bowl after my family feed her, in the vain hope I won't think she's been fed -- Nayuleska * Our Dog Benji *
Our kindy group enjoyed the story and it led to a discussion about the children's pets and the unusual items they sometimes like to eat" -- Julie Jones

Author Bio

Pete Carter is a writer and photographer. One of his two dogs is the muse for Our Dog Benji; the other hopes to star in Petes next book. As a child James was never far from a pencil or felt tip. Born in Christchurch he and his family moved to Wellington in time for his high school years. He was infamous here for his caricatures of teachers. He studied illustration and design at Massey University. For the last two years James has operated as a freelance illustrator for corporates including one of New Zealand's major banks. More recently, one of James' illustrations can now be seen on the screens of all Kiwi Bank ATM machines.