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The Problem with the Puddles Audiobook
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(3.00) - 137 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
What if your parents agreed to disagree? Eight-and-a-half years ago, when their beautiful baby girl was born, Mr. and Mrs. Puddle couldn’t agree on what to name her. So Mrs. Puddle calls her daughter Emily and Mr. Puddle calls her Ferdinanda. And everyone else? They call her Baby. Having parents who agree to disagree does mean twice as many presents on your birthday, but it can complicate your life! There was the time Baby’s parents couldn’t agree on what kind of dog to get–so they got two, both named Sally. One summer day, when rushing back to the city from their country house, the Puddles leave the Sallys behind. Will the Puddles agree to go back? What will become of the Sallys? Kate Feiffer’s debut novel is by turns funny, heartwarming, and wholly satisfying. Let the Puddle family into your heart. You will be glad you did.
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"Mr. Puddle loves living in the country and Mrs. Puddle loves living in the city. They have two children, Baby who is eight and Tom her older brother. Mr. and Mrs. Puddle had another son. He was their first born son and they had given him up at birth because they felt they were too young to have children. The Puddles waited several days for the rain to let up so they could leave. They always disagreed about everything. When the rain finally stopped they rushed around packing the car and then sped off without their dogs. They argue about whether they should continue on and call the neighbors or if they should turn around. The dogs have realized they have been left behind and start making their way toward the city. The puddles have car trouble along the way and that is where their adventure really begins. This was a funny book. At times I felt like I was reading a book that was a cross between Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket. It is just quirky enough that I think my students will like it. I really didn’t think I was going to like it when I first picked it up. I decided it looked like an easy read so I would get it done and over with. Little did I know that it would charm its way into my heart. I can’t wait to order it and put it on my shelf."
— Sandra (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Clever plot twists abound in this silly story of Mr. and Mrs. Puddle, who can’t agree on anything. Accidentally leaving their dogs behind when returning home from a family vacation leads to hilarious misadventures and a surprise reunion. Halley Feiffer’s spot-on vocalizations fully capture the silliness and sarcasm of the outrageous tale.”
— School Library Journal (audio review)
Awards
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A 2015 School Library Journal Top Pick of Summer Audiobooks
The Problem with the Puddles Listener Reviews
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" A cute book - but it just didn't click with me for some reason. "
— Lisa, 2/3/2014 -
" I thought this was a completely delightful and charming book, thoroughly enjoyable and funny, until page 130 when it veered in some strange direction and lost me for the rest of the book. Weirdest experience I've ever had reading a book. Tricia Tusa's art is phenomenal though. "
— Boni, 1/29/2014 -
" I read the audio version of this book. I had to make myself finish this book. Mr. and Mrs. Puddle who could never agree on anything became annoying to me. I did enjoy the alternate viewpoints of the dogs, Little Sally and Big Sally. I believe there will be an audience problem with this book. It's 200 pages, but seems more suited to the interests of primary age students. The tongue in cheek humor works much better in The Willoughbys than it does here. "
— Becky, 1/26/2014 -
" bizarre but fun. audience? and what was the point of the skunks? i liked it overall. 4 stars. "
— Joshua, 1/25/2014 -
" The kids really liked it. A bit overboard for an adult. "
— Lori, 1/23/2014 -
" This is a funny young reader book. It gives good chuckles. "
— Jennifer, 1/18/2014 -
" Elsie loved this book (and so did I). It was laugh out loud funny, switching between the perspective of the family and the dogs they left behind. "
— Elsie, 12/5/2013 -
" The Puddle parents cannot seem to agree about anything, but when their dogs go missing the whole family embarks on an unlikely quest that eventually answers many unasked questions "
— pati, 11/30/2013 -
" Darling, clever word play, cute story. The only problem is that the target audience will need to be explained a lot of the humor. "
— Debbie, 11/20/2013 -
" Listened to on way to MIL house. Kids enjoyed it and it does have some funny bits. "
— Bob, 11/12/2013 -
" Wonky and delightful. This book is full of crazy, over-the-top characters and fun word play. It reminds me so much of...something...but I can't remember what! "
— Sandy, 11/7/2013 -
" Picked this one up on a whim. It was OK. Nothing to get super excited about. Eccentric characters... my favorites were the dogs (both named Sally). "
— Clarissa, 3/15/2013 -
" So funny. The characters are absolutely ridiculous. "
— Heather, 2/6/2013 -
" I'm sorry, I so wanted to like this, but I just couldn't get excited about it. And when I'm avoiding reading altogether because I don't want to pick up my current book, that's when I know it's time to quit that book. I feel like I've seen these characters before -- quirky parents, sensible children. "
— Mary, 1/31/2013 -
" I was not impressed with The Problem with the Puddles. It is not Newbery material. I thought it had too much dialogue and it felt very frenetic. "
— Patty, 8/26/2012 -
" These people are crazy fun! The text and illustrations work great together. "
— Nancy, 12/11/2011 -
" I found this book to be a bit too confusing to be funny. The characters spent most of the book agreeing to disagree to form any kind of attachment to them. The two dogs, both named Sally, were the only characters whom really showed much personality. "
— Karyn, 9/17/2011 -
" Cute book for kids. "
— Kati, 5/4/2011 -
" Not as funny as I hoped. It was an ok read for my family to share together. "
— Ily, 11/19/2010
About Kate Feiffer
Kate Feiffer is a writer, filmmaker, mother, and the author of several picture books for children, including Double Pink, which the New York Times Book Review praised for its “economy of style and understated wit,” and President Pennybaker, which Kirkus Reviews called “breezy and charming and pleasingly subversive.” She lives with her family on Martha’s Vineyard.
About Halley Feiffer
Halley Feiffer is a playwright—and national Young Playwrights Festival winner—actress, and voiceover artist. She is the daughter of famed satirist and cartoonist Jules Feiffer and of writer, actor, and comedian Jenny Allen.