We Are Up a Tree!: Ready-to-Read Graphics Level 1

Dog and Pony Show

by Jeff Mack

Dog and Pony get stuck in a tree in the funny second book in a Level 1 Ready-to-Read Graphics series by award-winning author-illustrator Jeff Mack!Dog wants to climb a tree. Pony helps, but then Dog is too scared to climb back down! So Pony goes up the tree, too. Now neither of them can get back down! Dog thinks they’ll have to live in the tree forever, but Pony knows they can find a way back to the ground…even as it starts to snow.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Animals, Humor, Horses, Dogs

64 pages, Hardcover

Published September 10, 2024

About the author

Born in Syracuse, New York, Jeff Mack has written and illustrated a long list of picture books, chapter books, and early readers, including Clueless McGee, Good News Bad News, Frog and Fly, the Hippo and Rabbit series, and Hush Little Polar Bear.

He has also illustrated many books for other authors, including James Howe's Bunnicula and Friends series and Eve Bunting's Hurry! Hurry!, one of School Library Journal’s Best Books of 2007.

At home in Easthampton, Massachusetts, he continues to write, illustrate, and visit schools and libraries to talk about his work. Visit him at www.jeffmack.com.

Bio taken from Jeff's website: http://www.jeffmack.com/short_biograp....
More biographical information can be found at http://www.jeffmack.com/biography.html.

Reviews

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children's graphic novel, early reader level. Maybe it was just because I loved the first book in this series so much, but I was a bit disappointed in this one. It's fine, just not nearly as engaging as Dog Gets a Pet: Ready-to-Read Graphics Level 1. Possibly because this one had more of a feel of the traditional early reader, where the focus is on repetitive text and not as much on the story.

Dog wants to go up a tree, so Pony helps. But then Dog gets stuck in the tree, and when Pony helps, he also gets stuck. A fortuitous snowstorm helps them finally get free. The illustrations are very colorful, and I love Dog's youthful and joyful expressions.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Look, Pony, a tree!
Yes, I see that.
Can I climb it?
You can try.

Premise/plot: Dog has his heart set on climbing a tree. Will it go well? Maybe. Maybe not. Pony is a super supportive friend....for better or worse. But these two undoubtedly have a LOT of fun in this adventure.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, love, love the first book in this series. These two characters won my heart in that book. I was so pleased to read this second book in the series. For me it isn't quite as magical as the first book. But it was still SO much fun. I love the expressiveness of the illustrations. I love the characters. I enjoyed the story. It still packed in plenty of silliness.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dog decides he wants to climb a tree, so Pony gives him a boost and Dog has a great time. Until he wants to get down. How will he ever get down from this tall tree?

This was quite creative. Seeing how Dog ends up higher in the tree in his attempts to get down, and how Pony also ends up in the tree, and the rather unexpected (but very subtly foreshadowed) way they get down from the tree was quite entertaining. I can see beginning readers loving this quirky story. It has nice short words and a larger, dyslexic-friendly font perfect for beginning readers.

[Sarah Alamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're so proud of you for reading "We Are Up a Tree!" What a wonderful book you chose! You learned such an important lesson about being a good friend - just like how Pony stayed calm and helped Dog even when things got scary. The new idea you discovered is that when friends are worried or stuck, we can be brave helpers who don't give up! You can use this in your own life by being patient and kind when your friends need help, just like Pony did. Keep reading, darling - you're becoming such a smart little reader

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dog decides to climb a tree and gets stuck. When his good friend pony tries to help him down they somehow both get stuck, up the tree! How will they get down?

This is a beginner graphic novel, with instructions in the front for young readers on how to read the panels.

[Robin Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fucking cute. They teach you how to read the book.

[Talia Bushnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunter giggled and giggled the whole time! Emery thought it was kinda funny. I thought it was dumb but also cute at the same time.