Magically Mysterious Adventures of Noelle the Bulldog by Gloria Estefan, Michael Garland, Michael Garland (Illustrator), Michael Garland (Illustrator)

From Barnes & Noble

Little bulldog Noelle looks pugnacious, but she's actually just an adorable pup who is worried that she will be an odd-shaped outsider in her new home. This sweet story about fitting in is the first children's book by the five-time Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Gloria Estefan.

From the Publisher

For a young bulldog named Noelle, the joy of being adopted by her very own little girl is overshadowed by the worry that she won't fit in to her wonderful new home.

What can an odd–looking brown pup possibly have to offer in a world where shimmering fish, glittering fireflies, and beautiful Dalmatians play games that Noelle's short legs can barely keep up with?

Five–time GRAMMY® Award–winning singer–songwriter Gloria Estefan's first book for children is a heartwarming story. Exuberantly illustrated by Michael Garland, it captures all the worry of an outsider trying to fit in – and all the joy of discovering that everyone has a talent that matters, and that true beauty comes from inside.

o Includes CD single of Gloria Estefan's latest release Noelle's Song

Ages 3+

Publishers Weekly

As singer/songwriter Estefan's first book opens, a girl welcomes her new pet: "With most of her features so oddly arranged,/ compared to most Bulldogs she looked a bit strange." Noelle soon learns that she otherwise fails to measure up: she can't run fast like Dalmatians and sinks when she tries to swim with the fish. Clunky rhymes (as when the fish spout, " `We thought everyone everywhere knew how to swim.'/ `So did I,' said Noelle. `That's why I jumped in!' ") lead up to a predictable outcome. A sunflower tries to reassure the pooch ("You're quite special, Noelle, with a look you can't beat./ Dark and rich like the earth and, like chocolate, so sweet"), and Noelle dreams of the day "she'd find her mysterious, magical way," which comes the next morning (e.g., she crawls under a car to retrieve a ball for the Dalmatians and rescues a stranded fish). Garland's (SantaKid) electric-hued, at times garish digital artwork is as lacking in subtlety as the narrative. Estefan's talent is better showcased in "Noelle's Song (Been Wishin')" about finding a friend, performed on an accompanying CD. The book will be released simultaneously in a Spanish-language edition, Las magicas y misteriosas aventuras de una bulldog llamada Noelle (ISBN 0-06-082626-6). Ages 4-8. (Nov.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Elisabeth Greenberg - Children's Literature

Her very own little girl introduces Noelle the bulldog to her new home. Poor Noelle, she is not that pretty—in fact, "compared to most Bulldogs she looked a bit strange." Noelle has a very bad first day. She is envious of the pack of Dalmatians with their lean grace. The fish in the pond invite Noelle in for a swim, and she sinks like a stone to their, and her, surprise. A firefly perches on Noelle's noise and she is afraid she is going to get stung. The birds ignore her. Noelle feels less than special, even though a sunflower reassures her that she is quite wonderful, "like chocolate, so sweet." Finally her girl comes to pick up the unhappy Noelle and kiss her. The next day Noelle discovers how special she is—she rescues the Dalmatians' ball from under the car, she gently drops a fish trapped on land back into the pond, and she feeds the birds who paid no attention to her the day before. The final illustration shows Noelle surrounded by grateful birds, fish, Dalmatians, and happy girl. The message about strength and beauty coming from inside is clearly spelled out. The rhyming verse story works surprisingly well and lavishly colored illustrations move the story along. The enclosed CD has a teen pop sound and may not interest the 4- to 6-year-old child. Also, any child looking for the magic and mystery promised by the title may be disappointed by Noelle's concrete, everyday experiences in her new home. 2005, Rayo/HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 4 to 6.

Product Details

• ISBN: 0641899580
  
• ISBN-13: 9780641899584
• Format: Hardcover, 32pp
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Pub. Date: October 2005
• Edition Description: Bargain
• Age Range: 4 to 8