The Problem with the Puddles

Illustrated by: Tricia Tusa

For Ages: 8 - 12

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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! When Baby’s parents can’t agree on what kind of dog to get, they get two—both named Sally. And 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?

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Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books |
208 pages |
ISBN 9781439156698 |
February 2009 |
Grades 3 - 7

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Praise

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“The Problem with the Puddles is a blast from first page to last. My only complaint is that I didn't write it!”

– Sara Pennypacker, author of Clementine

“As far as I'm concerned, the only problem with the Puddles is that there aren't enough books about them. Now that I've actually met this eccentric family and their adventurous dogs, now that I've lived in their damp and wonderful... ”

– Nick Bruel, author of Bad Kitty

“'ROMP: to play or frolic in a lively, boisterous manner.' That's what we have right here. Take one endearing, exasperating family, two cozily canny canines, a plot that insists on going where you least expect it to, and just enough... ”

– Norton Juster, author of The Phantom Tollbooth

“ This capricious novel marks Feiffer's (President Pennybaker) move into middle-grade fiction, in a story about a family that, for some reason, attracts clouds (It was as if the cloud suddenly forgot it was heading to a hurricane in... ”

– Publishers Weekly on The Problem with the Puddles

“The kid-friendly humor … the full cast of eccentric characters and Tusa’s lively b&w spot art should readily win fans for the Puddle family.”

– Publishers Weekly, starred review

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Behind the Book

My Mother Is Trying to Ruin My Life

Sometimes I feel that I find a story that’s waiting for me to pick it up, as if it’s been abandoned by the side of the road. Sometimes I feel that I create a story from scraps left around my house. Henry the Dog with No Tail is an example of something that I pulled together from the scraps of my life. I found My Mom Is Trying to Ruin My Life in the cafeteria at my daughter’s school.

Let me explain.

It appears that I sometimes do things that my daugh see more