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Sebastian Barth Super Sleuth Mystery
Sebastian, Super Sleuth
The adventures of Sebastian the dog as he helps his detective master track down a missing robot.
49 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 26, 2018
Sebastian (Super Sleuth) and the Hair of the Dog Mystery / written by Mary Blount Chrisitan; illustrated by Lisa McCue -- New York : Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., c1982. (50 pages)
SUMMARY: Sebastian is a clever Old English sheepdog and helps his police detective owner solve a case involving a missing Gypsy necklace and a kidnapped cat by disguising himself as a Gypsy dancer and a pizza delivery boy.
REVIEW: This series by Mary Blount Christian is not well known even though it has 15 titles. The book is 50 pages long in large font and shortish chapters. Sebastian sees himself as a hero helping his owner solve cases. He dawns disguises that fools even his owner, but just makes me laugh -- because a dog in a gypsy outfit is still recognizable as a dog -- however, for the story he fools everyone and solves the case. The illustrations by Lisa McCue add much to Sebastian's character. The pen and ink drawings on the inside are good but the colored illustration on the front is fabulous.
NOTE: I came across this library discarded copy at the local thrift store. I remember reading some of these when I was in college taking a children's literature class. I remember Sebastian fondly and picked up the title to refresh my memory as to the character and story. Sebastian (Super Sleuth) is forever lovable but this story is mediocre. I am eager to find the title that was my favorite -- SEBASTIAN (SUPER SLEUTH) AND THE BONE TO PICK MYSTERY to see if it fairs better as a piece of recommended literature.
Chapter 1 -- The Night Visitor
"Sebastian sprawled across the length of John's old green couch. His paws twitched rhythmically as he dreamed of chasing a bank robber through the downtown streets while frightened pedestrians screamed, "Look! It's Super Dog!" -- But just when he got to the good part where he won the Hero Dog of the Year Award there was a sudden brash buzz of the doorbell. -- Sebastian sprang to his feet. Raaa-ruff! he snapped. He wanted John to know that he was on guard. And he wanted to alert whoever was on the other side of that door that he would tolerate no trouble -- no trouble at all. " (page 1)
Sometimes Sebastian has to remember to be a normal dog: "Sebastian immediately looked hangdog and meekly wagged his tail - he knew how to play the game." (page 5)
Master of Disguise: "Sebastian looked from one face to another. How? How could they see through his excellent disguise? Why did he look any different from them? And then it came to him in a flash. - Stupid, stupid mistake! he scolded himself. Of course. He did look different from the rest of them. He had forgotten to put on one golden earring! (page 26-27) NOTE: To Sebastian, it's not because he is a dog in a gypsy costume...it is because he forgot to put the one golden earring on that all gypsies use.
Sebastian is always eating: ".Hastily, and maybe even a little gratefully, Sebastian devoured the pizza with anchovies. He sighed. It was better to have them on the inside than the outside. Anytime!" (page 50)
Table of Contents:
One. The Night Visitor .....1
Two. Some Hair of the Dog That Bit Him....8
Three. Shadow, Shadow on the Wall....16
Four. Dance, Gypsy, Sing, Gypsy!....21
Five. Anchovies!....30
Six. To the Rescue!....38
Seven. Hair Today, There Tomorrow....45
SUMMARY: Sebastian is a clever Old English sheepdog and helps his police detective owner solve a case involving a missing Gypsy necklace and a kidnapped cat by disguising himself as a Gypsy dancer and a pizza delivery boy.
REVIEW: This series by Mary Blount Christian is not well known even though it has 15 titles. The book is 50 pages long in large font and shortish chapters. Sebastian sees himself as a hero helping his owner solve cases. He dawns disguises that fools even his owner, but just makes me laugh -- because a dog in a gypsy outfit is still recognizable as a dog -- however, for the story he fools everyone and solves the case. The illustrations by Lisa McCue add much to Sebastian's character. The pen and ink drawings on the inside are good but the colored illustration on the front is fabulous.
NOTE: I came across this library discarded copy at the local thrift store. I remember reading some of these when I was in college taking a children's literature class. I remember Sebastian fondly and picked up the title to refresh my memory as to the character and story. Sebastian (Super Sleuth) is forever lovable but this story is mediocre. I am eager to find the title that was my favorite -- SEBASTIAN (SUPER SLEUTH) AND THE BONE TO PICK MYSTERY to see if it fairs better as a piece of recommended literature.
Chapter 1 -- The Night Visitor
"Sebastian sprawled across the length of John's old green couch. His paws twitched rhythmically as he dreamed of chasing a bank robber through the downtown streets while frightened pedestrians screamed, "Look! It's Super Dog!" -- But just when he got to the good part where he won the Hero Dog of the Year Award there was a sudden brash buzz of the doorbell. -- Sebastian sprang to his feet. Raaa-ruff! he snapped. He wanted John to know that he was on guard. And he wanted to alert whoever was on the other side of that door that he would tolerate no trouble -- no trouble at all. " (page 1)
Sometimes Sebastian has to remember to be a normal dog: "Sebastian immediately looked hangdog and meekly wagged his tail - he knew how to play the game." (page 5)
Master of Disguise: "Sebastian looked from one face to another. How? How could they see through his excellent disguise? Why did he look any different from them? And then it came to him in a flash. - Stupid, stupid mistake! he scolded himself. Of course. He did look different from the rest of them. He had forgotten to put on one golden earring! (page 26-27) NOTE: To Sebastian, it's not because he is a dog in a gypsy costume...it is because he forgot to put the one golden earring on that all gypsies use.
Sebastian is always eating: ".Hastily, and maybe even a little gratefully, Sebastian devoured the pizza with anchovies. He sighed. It was better to have them on the inside than the outside. Anytime!" (page 50)
Table of Contents:
One. The Night Visitor .....1
Two. Some Hair of the Dog That Bit Him....8
Three. Shadow, Shadow on the Wall....16
Four. Dance, Gypsy, Sing, Gypsy!....21
Five. Anchovies!....30
Six. To the Rescue!....38
Seven. Hair Today, There Tomorrow....45
March 26, 2016
B. children's fiction, grade 2, mystery
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews