Francis, the Earthquake Dog - Hardcover

Enderle, Judith Ross; Tessler, Stephanie Gordon; Scudder, Brooke

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0811806308 ISBN 13: 9780811806305

Publisher: Chronicle Books Llc, 1996

Synopsis

Edward, a young boy, finds a little dog and is disappointed to be told by his father that he cannot keep him, but when it gets lost during an earthquake, things begin to become hectic and the little dog's adventures really begin.

About this title

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-Grade 2?Set in San Francisco in 1906, this story begins when Edward saves a stray dog from the wheels of a vegetable cart and takes him to the famed St. Francis Hotel, where the boy's father, a chef, is overseeing preparations for a party for Enrico Caruso. But the terrier escapes in the hotel (at one point sharing an elevator with the renowned singer) and can't be found again. Later that night, while Edward and Papa sleep in their boarding house, the earthquake hits. Even in the chaos of the tent city at Golden Gate Park following the disaster, Edward worries about the lost dog. Some time later, the boy and his father return to the hotel and hear a familiar barking from under the rubble, which makes for a satisfying and happy ending. Based on fact, these events are fleshed out in a lively way. The pace is brisk yet doesn't omit the type of detail that makes a story appealing. Scudder's paintings are spectacular, with rich, glowing colors and interesting compositions and viewpoints. They have a cubist, two-dimensional look that is characterized by heavy graceful lines and rhythmic forms and patterns. However, as lovely as they are, the stylized illustrations are not strong on emotion or suspense, both of which are sorely lacking in the story. An unusual addition by a promising artist.?Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly:

Extrapolating from a historical tidbit related to the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906, Enderle and Tessler (co-authors of Dear Timothy Tibbitts) produce only a bland tale. Their story begins on the night before the quake, at the St. Francis Hotel, when Edward, the son of the hotel chef, brings a stray terrier into the kitchen. The dog runs amok and disappears into the hotel, where he's quickly forgotten by all but Edward. Enderle and Tessler dilute the terror of the eventual quake by focusing on the boy's concern for the dog. However, their flat narration arouses little sympathy for Edward ("[Edward's] heart was racing. The little dog was in big trouble now. Woof! Woof! Woof! barked the little dog"). Scudder (Island Barbecue) contributes similarly wooden illustrations; her purposefully naive brushstrokes don't lend themselves to detail work, and her oversaturated fuchsia, vermilion and aquamarine palette looks bleary rather than bright. The book concludes with a brief, non-frightening "All about Earthquakes" wrap-up and eight tips for earthquake safety, making a final appeal to the human fascination with natural disasters. In all, no great shakes. Ages 2-8.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Chronicle Books Llc
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0811806308
• ISBN 13: 9780811806305
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Scudder Brooke