A bulldog and a poodle learn that family is about love, not appearances in this adorable doggy tale from New York Times bestselling author Kelly DiPucchio and illustrator Christian Robinson.
This is the story of four puppies: Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, Ooh-La-La, and Gaston. Gaston works the hardest at his lessons on how to be a proper pooch. He sips—never slobbers! He yips—never yaps! And he walks with grace—never races! Gaston fits right in with his poodle sisters.
But a chance encounter with a bulldog family in the park—Rocky, Ricky, Bruno, and Antoinette—reveals there’s been a mix-up, and so Gaston and Antoinette switch places. The new families look right…but they don’t feel right. Can these puppies follow their noses—and their hearts—to find where they belong?
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
25 of 30 people found the following review helpful.
A Well-Meaning But Pretentious Children's Book
By HS
Although the illustrations are great, something about this book ultimately misses the mark. The "nature vs nurture" theme is an interesting twist on the ugly duckling story, but it feels very forced. The book leads you to believe that Gaston, the bulldog, doesn't fit in with his poodle siblings, yet when he is switched into a bulldog family, only then do you find out that actually, Gaston had learned to behave like a poodle and now feels uncomfortable around bulldogs (even though only a few pages earlier he had been acting like a bulldog). To add to the flaws, the writing itself is a bit labored and awkward, which makes it unenjoyable to read aloud to my daughter.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful.
Family favorite!!
By Zoe
Teaches a wonderful lesson about what being a family really means. I am in love with the illustrations which make it enjoyable even for readers too young to follow the plot (like my nephew, who despite being far too young to read Gaston himself, stares at the puppies happily for multiple minutes).Another reviewer mentioned that it was odd how neither misplaced puppy fit in with their adopted siblings yet didn't feel at home with their "real" family- I don't think this is inconsistent at all. I think it's very realistic not to realize how like your own family you are until you experience people very unlike yourself (usually away from home). Little differences feel bigger when you have so little context. Anyway- amazing book!
14 of 17 people found the following review helpful.One of these things is not like the others
By Jason Kirkfield
Putting a happy spin on switched baby scandals, this new title from Atheneum Books is an engaging mix of story and art. Kelly DiPucchio hits all the right notes with her text and Christian Robinson's broad-stroke acrylics are winsome.A bulldog and a poodle find themselves in opposite litters. In one family, we see teapot-sized Gaston and his teacup-sized sisters. In the other, we see a poodle who does not like anything proper or precious or pink. The narrator invites reader-accomplices with a winking refrain of 'Would you like to see them again?' Despite their atypical breed behavior, the mismatched pups are clearly loved, the family portraits a lovely touch.Gaston is a modern fish-out-of-water tale which ironically advocates nurture over nature--in contrast to the classic Fish Is Fish--but which ultimately demonstrates that feeling right is more important than looking right. In the end, the final message is the one that counts: "They taught them to be whatever they wanted to be." The story's denouement, a truly mixed litter, came as a fun surprise. Boodles (bulldog poodles) may become the next "IT" puppy.Conclusion: A timeless message of love, paired with charming art. This is one of the best picture books of the year. Only, where did the daddy doggies go?[The reviewer was provided with a complimentary copy of the book.]
