#1 best-selling reggae artist Stick Figure (Scott Woodruff) and #1 New York Times best-selling author Adam Mansbach team up for a sweet, funny children's picture book about a real-life rescue dog turned worldwide icon Cocoa the Tour Dog is the saga of an Australian shepherd who meets her soul a struggling musician, Scott, with dreams of spreading love on stages across the globe. When Scott's work starts to pay off, Cocoa wanders onstage herself and finds sudden fame―and the two of them embark on an adventure that takes them around the world playing music, delighting fans, and ignoring leash laws. But as the pace of life quickens, Cocoa begins to feel worn out―she misses the simpler times, and she's no longer seeing the world with puppy eyes. Luckily, Scott has just the thing to restore Cocoa's sense of a little sister dog. The two of them set off on an adventure to add Molly to the family, and soon Cocoa is teaching the puppy all about life on the road . . . and even how to take it to the stage. Full color Illustrations throughout
The cover of this Cocoa the Tour Dog by Stick Figure and Adam Mansbach puts everything right there in vibrant color -- lights, stage, audience, guitar player, and dog with a very appealing neck scarf. It can be readily enjoyed by adults and children, especially if they have heard Scott Woodruff’s songs or seen him in concert. The book can be enjoyed all on its own, though, with a sweet message and sweet-looking dog.
Yes, Stick Figure and Cocoa are for real; the band has been active for about 16 (?) years. Apparently the story behind SF rescuing her and taking her across the globe is also true. I think children will get the biggest wow out of thinking that the dog goes on stage every night with the band, perhaps putting themselves in place of the Australian Shepherd.
But the book would only be good if the text and illustrations were good -- and they definitely are. The story is told in verse, which might be able to be sung with a reggae beat, and the illustrations by Juan Manuel Orozaco jump off the page.
Who doesn’t love dogs with neck scarfs?
I received this book from Akashic Books. This is an honest review.
Let's just start with the end paper that is a delight with vibrant images of Cocoa, her human, her sister, and their favorite things - an ebullient mood overtakes you before you even reach the title page! Written in verse that begs you to lean into the rhythm as you read aloud, Cocoa the Tour Dog is a heartwarming story of a rescue dog who enjoyed fame alongside her owner's band. Readers learn about her busy life with its ups and downs and will appreciate the consideration her human gives her when he realizes she is not thriving. Very sweet and filled with happy vibes!
A cute very well written story but it included adult theme like beer and the dog peeing on a wall in a not so nice way. Not really a children’s book but the illustrations are very beautiful and bright. It’s a short read and in the middle I thought cocoa was dying but she was just burnt out and getting a new puppy made her feel better.