Moe the Dog in Tropical Paradise

by Diane Stanley, Elise Primavera

Moe and Arlene long to escape the cold weather on their winter vacation but cannot afford to take a long trip, until they discover a way to make their own tropical island, complete with calypso music, pineapple drinks, and palm trees, at home

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Animals, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Diane Stanley is an American children's author and illustrator, a former medical illustrator, and a former art director for the publisher G.P. Putnam's Sons. Born in 1943 in Abilene, Texas, she was educated at Trinity University (in San Antonio, TX) and at Johns Hopkins University. She is perhaps best known for her many picture-book biographies, some of which were co-authored by her husband, Peter Vennema. (source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Dee Martin]

Animated version from Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories is out there online, as well as many home-made story times using book. Search for it also turned up "Relaxing 3 Hour Video of a Tropical Beach with Blue Sky, White Sand and Palm Tree" to play in background while reading and relaxing at your own indoor oasis inspired by this picture book that all ages can enjoy.

Think up other ways to feel like you too are in "Tropical Paradise": Touch terry beach towel. Smell sunscreen. Taste fruity drinks (like pineapple, mango, coconut). Listen to ocean waves, breeze in palm trees. Exercise your imagination. That's what books are made of!

[Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute little story that I'm sure my boy will enjoy once he's a little older!

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorites. This has been a big hit with Little One because of all the snow! He's asked to read it almost every night the last couple weeks.

[Anne Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moe the Dog In Tropical Paradise by Diane Stanley was my #1 winter book I adored to read in storytime as a librarian - but today, I took it apart as a kids lit author... And found myself smiling.

Arlene and Moe are not happy in the winter weather. Oh, the weather is cold - and it's horrible! They can't afford a trip to a tropical paradise, devoid of winter's chill and snow, but Moe gets an idea: he'll create tropical paradise! With some ingenuity and hard work, he does it - and Arlene enjoys the vacation. The book concludes they may go to Egypt since they already has the sand...

The illustrations are beautiful - the storyline is creative - and in the end, you go from your own winter doldrums to wanting to be on Moe's "beach." This book is another genius from Diane Stanley. If you don't know who she is, find out. She's at http://dianestanley.com/

Moe has gotten a few awards: Publisher’s Weekly‘s “Cuffies,” Honorable Mention, Most Memorable Character in a Leading Role
Featured as an animated segment of Shelly Duvall’s Bedtime Stories on the Showtime Network
Nominee for the Nevada Young Readers’ Award
Starred review, Publisher’s Weekly

[Regina Castorena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moe and Arlene are best friends, they are on vacation and its winter time. It’s too cold to do anything, they went to the theatre and the heat broke down. They left and got some hot cocoa to warm up. Arlene’s day got worse, she got a marshmallow stuck to her nose. They saw a travel agency decorated in summer fun décor. They went in and came right out, it would be too expensive to go to Tahiti. They each went home, Moe had an idea. Would it help Arlene not be so sad for their vacation. Read along to find out what marvelous thing Moe does for Arlene. He is the best friend anyone could have.
This story if full of friendship and imagination. Each page is vibrantly illustrated and captures all the details in Moe and Arlene’s world. From the winter landscape

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all love Moe. Here's the fun thing: Moe and his friend Darlene have homes and blue collar jobs, but they're pretty broke. They're aren't that many books that combine the adult freedom of movement with the children's experience of not being able to do something, in this case, to take a vacation away from the cold.

I added this to my art shelf because of one spread: it's two pages of all the little houses in the snow. One of my kids came home from school one day and had seen the original of that page, but she couldn't tell me the artist or title of the painting. Anyway, the art is endearing, as well as the story.

[Kena Kump · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute book and I loved it, being a dog lover myelf. They take a unhappy winter day and turn it into one filled with sunshine. The dog creates his own island, how clever!!
Next to "Randy Dandy's Lions" this was my second favorite of all the picture books I read. Maybe because I miss my dogs back in Washington.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books of all time!

[Dailey Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable book with wonderful message of making paradise (enjoying yourself) wherever you are.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The power of imagination is a wonderful thing. Loved the idea of making a pretend Paradise. In fact I intend to try it ourselves. Winter won't get me down!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A canine twist on the lemonade from lemons adage - but fun nonetheless.

[Siomara · Rating 5 out of 5]

He couldn't afford going to the beach but he sure created his own paradise to enjoy!

[Twotwo]

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