Mo: The Talking Dog

De: Michelle Booth

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

Fun animal adventure for children aged 8-12.

Take one puppy who can't bark;

Add a veterinarian who believes dogs have the intelligence to talk, if they had the physical ability;

Throw in a scientist who specializes in growing tissue, who develops a voicebox for the puppy, like a parrot's syrinx.

What you get is a dog with a unique - and often embarrassing - ability, offended neighbors, and scared cats.

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Have you ever wondered what your dog would say if he/she could talk? You don't have to wonder anymore!

This is the story of a puppy who can't bark. He is rescued from drowning by 12-year-old Martin, who adopts him and calls him Mo. Martin's Dad, Henry, is a veterinarian and he gets a scientist friend to grow Mo a new voicebox.

After Henry operates on him to implant the voicebox, Mo starts making human-like sounds and his new family realize that life is about to get a lot more interesting! The family parrot, Mimic, helps teach Mo to talk - and eat fruit.

Mo soon starts making friends. But he's also making enemies...

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REVIEWS

Louise's 7-year-old daughter loved it and can't wait for the next one.

Andy found it very funny.

Sarah's 9-year-old daughter loved it and would recommend it to other children.

Kayleigh wants a dog like Mo!

Trent insists on Mo being read to him every night when he goes to bed.

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INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR

Why did you write a book about a talking dog?

I grew up with dogs and I find them very expressive. They can let you know when they're happy, sad, or excited. I've always wondered what they would be like if they could talk. I think they'd be quite difficult to live with, they'd rarely shut up!

I loved the book that the Disney film 101 Dalmatians was based on. The animals talk in that. It's really good. I grew up wanting to write a book like that. Mo is my attempt!

Does Mo have the usual Disney sad bit?

Not really. It's sad that he is abandoned by his first family, but that's for his benefit - it's a poor home and the children of the family save him by taking him from there. But I don't like sadness in books, there's enough of it in the world. This is a happy book, with a bit of adventure and danger, and a little about bullying. I don't like sad books and I promise Mo will never die - but he will have lots of adventures!

Are you writing more books featuring Mo?

Yes, a follow-up - Mo Goes Wild - will be available soon. It is set in Wyoming.

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FOR PARENTS

As a Mum and former teacher, I always look for stories that engage children's imagination, keep them turning the pages and asking questions. I feel books should be entertaining first, but also stretch their thinking and help them deal with some of the issues they may face. In this book, that is bullying.

Mo is in the 8-12 reading bracket but children's reading ability (and inclination!) varies. My book-mad daughter would have wanted to read this book when she started reading on her own at age 5-6 - and that would be fine as there are no upsetting scenes in it, although it is rather long for younger readers.

It's a story I would have been happy to read to my 'Can't-be-bothered-you-read-it' son too!

There are no nightmare-inducing scenes. For children, at least. It might be different for parents, as the thought of the dog joining in the chorus of "Mum. Mum. MUM!" is enough to give me nightmares

My daughter loathed sad stories when she was this age and we spent hours hunting down books that were both happy and appropriate for her age. The trouble is, once children are beyond toddlerhood, they are expected to deal with adult issues in their reading - and often they just don't want to! The bullying in Mo is mild and not upsetting for most readers. I hope you and your little one enjoy reading about Mo's adventures.