Review by Booklist Review
Toby, like most dogs, doesn't like cats. He always seems to be in trouble with his young owner, Emma, but cats get away with everything. So when Pandora, the cat next door, has to stay with Emma's family, Toby is angry. Pandora refuses to notice Toby no matter what he does, and Toby gets blamed for her shenanigans. But when Pandora gets stuck in a tree, Toby does whatever it takes to rescue her, and they become friends. This simple story with bright illustrations stands on its own or could easily be used as a parable of bringing a new baby or foster child into the home. While Toby's willingness to help Pandora (in spite of her initial snobbishness) may be hard to explain, it is rewarded, and the concluding scene the two delightfully romping on Emma's bed will have kids and adults alike laughing.--Moore, Melissa Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this very funny sequel to Always in Trouble (2009), the lovably goofy dog Toby has to deal with a rival-Pandora, the cat next door who is temporarily staying with Toby's family. Pandora embodies everything Toby dislikes about cats: she "was slinky and spunky and snooty and snobby. Worst of all, she didn't pay any attention to Toby." Jones's emphatically scrawled cartoons highlight Toby's mischievous (and unsuccessful) attempts to get Pandora's attention. She yawns and sleeps as he jumps in the garbage, runs into the path of an oncoming truck, and eats Pandora's cat food (and then throws up). Pandora is capable of bad behavior, too, but unlike Toby, she flies under the radar-so much so that only Toby notices when she gets stuck in a tree. Toby's no Lassie, but he tries, desperately writing "CAT IN TREE" in mud on the kitchen floor. Demas and Jones hone their storytelling and artwork for maximum comic effect in a story about finding allies in unexpected places and making some big messes along the way. Ages 4-8. Agent: Edward Necarsulmer IV, McIntosh & Otis. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Toby, the intelligent, spunky, and problem-prone pup from Always in Trouble (Scholastic, 2009), is back in this quirky, funny story about the love/hate relationship between cats and dogs. Toby really doesn't like cats, and he is incensed at the fact that they always wreak havoc and never actually get punished for it. When Pandora, a neighbor's cat, comes to stay while her people are away, Toby tries to make trouble for her, but she ignores him. When she does naughty things (shredding the curtains, sampling the cake), no one seems to notice. When Toby samples the cake, everyone notices. The injustice of it all really irks him. But then, Pandora gets herself stuck in a tree, and no one notices except Toby, who cleverly arranges her rescue. Thus, a friendship is forged. The repetitious nature of the text and the bright, expressive illustrations make this book a great pick for any audience. Children who are familiar with Toby will be satisfied with his continued adventures.-Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Dog Toby is upset when the neighbor's cat, Pandora, comes to stay with his family: Pandora doesn't pay any attention to Toby's antics, and she never gets in trouble for misbehaving. Regardless, when Pandora gets stuck in a tree, Toby is there to help. The cat-dog dynamic is hilarious and the cartoony illustrations add details to the pets' hijinks. (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Toby is a precocious tan-and-brown hound who learns to get along with a neighbor cat in this mildly humorous sequel to Always in Trouble (2008). In the previous story, Toby learned how to behave in obedience school, but now he reverts to mischievous behavior such as running into the road and digging up daffodils. Toby's antics fail to impress Pandora, the "slinky and spunky and snooty and snobby" cat who lives next door. She ignores Toby completely, until she comes for a visit while her owners are on vacation. Then, as Toby continues to misbehave, Pandora follows suit, though the family members now inadvertently ignore her as she has ignored Toby. When Pandora gets stuck in a tree, the dog saves the day by spelling out "CAT IN TREE" in muddy paw prints on the kitchen floor. In an amusing conclusion, cat and dog celebrate together by jumping up and down on Emma's bed in conspiratorial hijinks. Bold, cartoon-style illustrations with exaggerated shapes refreshingly depict an African-American family, and Toby's bulgy eyes and winsome expressions steal the show. Though Toby is a pleasing pooch, ultimately the canine-vs.-feline conflict is less than compelling. (Picture book. 3-6)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
