Castle in the Mist

Planet of the Dogs #2

by Robert McCarty, Stella Mustanoja McCarty (Illustrator)

After a year of peace Bik, the warrior-chief of Stone City, is preparing for war because his children have been kidnapped by Prince Ukko the leader of the Black Hawk tribes. The children are held prisoner in the Castle In The Mist. This is the story of how the dogs came down from their planet, to the land of the Forest People, to free the children and prevent war. Planet of the Dogs Volume 2

112 pages, Perfect Paperback

First published July 1, 2007

About the author

Robert J McCarty is a former Adjunct Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University and a former Instructor at the School of Visual Arts, New York City. He has written, produced, and directed documentary, educational, and industrial videos and films on a wide variety of subject matter ranging from teenage lifestyles to race relations, and from clinical computing to oceanography. His short film, Rooftops of New York, was nominated for an Academy Award®.
The Planet of the Dogs series of early reader books were inspired by the many stories made up for his four children and five grandchildren. He is a graduate of Princeton University.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Castle in the Mist is the second installment of the Planet of the Dogs Series. While it is enjoyable to read it after having read Planet of the Dogs, the first book in the series, it can also stand on its own. In Planet of the Dogs the dogs come to the earth for the first time, in order to save the people of Green Valley from invaders from Stone City. The dogs were successful, and the Stone City Warriors have been living peacefully for over a year, with dogs of their own, when Castle in the Mist begins.


The dogs are once more alerted to trouble on earth. Nik and Nikki, the children of the Stone City Warrior leader, Bif, have been kidnapped. Prince Ukko, leader of the Black Hawk Tribe, who has invaded and taken residence in the Castle of the forest people, is unhappy that the Stone City Warriors have turned to peace. He is afraid that the peace will spread, and the lifestyle of himself and his army will be in danger. When Bif refuses his request for one hundred horses and two dogs, he has Bifs children kidnapped and held for ransom.


Having so recently brought peace to the earth, the dogs are afraid that it will now be taken away. Bifs anger and desire for revenge is great, and he will stop at nothing to recover his children. Can the dogs resolve the situation before war brakes out? Can Prince Ukko's hard, black heart be softened?


Castle in the Mist is full of the same elements I enjoyed in Planet of the Dogs and Snow Valley Heroes: beautiful, detailed, soft, mood setting drawings; the fun and antics of the dogs, and the people who are discovering them for the first time; encroaching danger and suspense; the lovely fantasy of a planet of dogs who are so concerned with the people of earth; and the forgiveness, unconditional love and loyalty that the dogs are able to subtly impart.

[Karen & Gerard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Castle In The Mist by Robert J. McCarty is the second book in his “Planet Of The Dogs” series. Stone City has been at peace and prospered for a year since the dogs came to show them a better way of getting along but that is all about to change when Bik, the leader of Stone City finds his children have been kidnapped by two traitors who took them to mean Prince Ukko, leader of the Black Hawk Tribes who holds them prisoners. Once again, the dogs from the Planet of the Dogs devise a plan to rescue the children before Bik leads Stone City into a war.

I liked how the dogs were once again successful in winning over the mean leaders. The dogs are clever, brave, helpful, loyal and loving. I recommend this series for children ages 6-12 and to dog lovers of all ages. It is a quick read but one that I enjoyed. Of the three books in this series (the other two are Planet of the Dogs and Snow Valley Heroes--A Christmas Tale) I liked this the least just because Prince Ukko were very mean wanting to capture and destroy all the dogs! At least he changed his attitude in the end!

[Mary BookHounds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wouldn't you just love to be around while Mr. McCarty was spinning this tale? That is how I felt while reading this. I could just imagine that he wrote these stories weaving in little facts about his children and grandchildren. The second book in the Planet of the Dog series finds us back on Earth with the dogs once again saving mankind from themselves. This book works on so many levels. It can be read out loud to younger children, serve as a chapter book to older kids and adults will enjoy the message that it delivers to them. I think this one can stand alone although, I think reading Planet of the Dogs will give you a better basis of the characters.

I really recommend this for all dog lovers since it reinforces what we already know: dogs are perfect!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

We had high expectations for this book based on our experience with
the first ones that we read, so we looked forward to starting Castle In
The Mist with eager anticipation. Immediately we were drawn into the
story of kidnapped children, a frantic father and a bitter and unhappy
prince. Once again it is up to the Planet Of The Dogs to plan a rescue
and work their way into hardened hearts.

What I love most about Castle In The Mist, as well as the other books
is that the focus is mainly about the dogs and how they change the
hearts of adults through love, affection, companionship and devotion.

These books are great for dog lovers of all ages. I enjoyed them just
as much as my children and would not hesitate to give them as gifts to
friends and family!

[Ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Castle in the Mist is one of those unique sequels that is even better than the first book in the series. I hope the McCartys continue these unusual books for years to come.

Castle in the Mist is full of danger and adventure, as Miss Merrie, pack leader on the Planet of the Dogs dispatches a host of mighty and loving canines to help rescue two kidnapped children on Earth. It's an exciting and compelling story that will keep young readers rapt.

Stella Mustanoja McCarty's elegant full page illustrations are again the perfect complement to Robert McCarty's story.