Izzy in the Doghouse

Isabel and Zoë are favorite friends — most of the time. They have side-by-side cubbies at school. They never take off their friendship bracelets. And they make each other laugh like nobody else. But some of the time, Isabel isn’t Zoë’s favorite friend at all. Because some of the time, the fun things they do end in a no-fun way. Like how they’ve been sent to the principal’s office because of Isabel’s shenanigans with some kindergartners. Now Zoë is mad at Isabel, and Isabel is miserable. Isabel is trying everything to win her friend back. Will getting a new puppy help Isabel mend her friendship with Zoë?

In this first title of the chapter book series for emerging readers, author Caroline Adderson introduces the inimitable Isabel and how she came to have her lovable dog, Rollo. Short chapters, spot-on humor and engaging illustrations on every spread make this series a perfect pick for both independent reading and read-alouds. Highly entertaining and fun, it also showcases the personal growth and development of the main character, while touching on subjects of interest to elementary-age children: relationships with friends, the responsibilities of having pets and family situations of all kinds, including how Isabel, who lives with her single mother and a nanny, loves the story of her adoption (and its similarities to their adoption of the dog).

Buy Izzy in the Doghouse at Amazon.ca or find a local bookstore.

Publishers’ link: Kids Can Press

  • A Junior Library Guild Selection
  • A Best Books for Kids and Teens 2021 Selection
  • Nominated for the 2022 Chocolate Lily Award

Praise for Izzy in the Doghouse

“With this title, Adderson, author of the Jasper John Dooley chapter-book series, introduces another series for the age group with a character reminiscent of such icons as Ruby Lu and Clementine… The short and pithy chapters, believable and specific kid language, and Collier’s spunky illustrations make this a promising kickoff to a new series. An endearing, energetic take on chapter books for transitioning readers.”

Kirkus Reviews

“[A] fast-paced age-appropriate writing style and a plot that, for the most part, is involving… This is a fast, fun read with some thought-provoking insights that children (especially girls) aged between six and nine will enjoy. Highly Recommended.”

Canadian Materials

“Izzy, an exuberant white girl with a straight dark bob, can sometimes be a bit much; fans of Adderson’s “Jasper John Dooley” series will recall her unrestrained personality from book three. When Izzy gets her favorite friend in trouble at recess (again), Zoë, an equally goofy but more rule-abiding Black girl with two puffs, decides to take a couple days off from being Izzy’s bestie. In heavily illustrated pages with comfortable leading, Adderson’s spin-off opener follows Izzy as she struggles to wait for her friend’s anticipated forgiveness. During Izzy and Zoë’s fallow period, Adderson highlights other social-emotional concepts, addressing both adoption—Izzy and her mother openly discuss how they came together—and the responsibilities of pet ownership with specificity and warmth. Izzy’s underrepresented family structure includes her working single mother, her indispensable nanny, and a new puppy!.. Rollo the dog, a bit player in Adderson’s other series, gets his origin story here as a labor-intensive recipient of  Izzy’s considerable energy and unfiltered affections; the girl happily connects her enthusiasm for the new puppy to her mother’s experience adopting her. VERDICT A big-hearted series spin-off that stands (and yips) alone.”

School Library Journal

“For some kids, the move to reading on their own is dependent on fiercely engaging chapter books – ones that have the right combination of easy vocabulary, short sentences, relatable characters, goofiness, gross-out humour, and spot illustrations that help tell the story when you just need a break from all those words… Izzy in the Doghouse, from Vancouver writer Caroline Adderson and Toronto illustrator Kelly Collier, hits most of these notes, taking pointers from Ivy and Bean, one of the more successful beginner chapter-book series in recent memory. Izzy, like Bean, is a rough and tumble primary schooler, not afraid to get dirty or pull out a gross gag to impress a much cleaner, prim and proper friend.”

Quill and Quire

“This was darling! Izzy is a hoot and completely believable for her age. Her quirks are endearing instead of annoying. And she shows great resilience when she and Zoe hit a friendship snag.

The puppy part of the story is a lot of fun. I especially liked how many times Izzy fell in “love at first sight.” The puppy doesn’t magically fix things with Zoe. Time does that on its own. But Rollo does make for a fun playmate when the friends reconnect.

There’s a great adoption thread to this that’s naturally woven into the story. I found it very sweet! If you are looking for a great early chapter book for your new reader or for your classroom, be sure to check out Izzy! ♥♥♥♥”

The Neverending TBR

“Short chapters, zippy dialogue, fun artwork, and familiar circumstances make this a new series that many readers wanting to move to chapter books will certainly appreciate. I’m sure they will be keen to see what Isabel and Zoe are up to in their next adventure.”

Sal’s Fiction Addiction

“Izzy in the Doghouse is an adorable early chapter book for kids in grades 1-4… I really loved this book. I think I was overly excited about some things at that age (maybe always asking everyone to play board games or card games with me!), so I get her enthusiasm. And I understand that pain of rejection. So this one resonated with me, and I think it would be a good choice for advanced readers around ages 5-7.”

Words & Books & Things

“Izzy in the Doghouse by Caroline Adderson and Kelly Collier is a fabulous new illustrated chapter book about friendship, family and a whole lot of love… We really love the voice in this story. There are so many unique descriptions of things that Caroline Adderson employs, really speaking to those new chapter book readers. Things like the “some of the times” and “love at first sight” and “the no-teeth space” are so endearing and so relatable to young readers. I love that this book features a family of three: a mom, a child and a nanny. Also, Izzy is adopted and loves to hear Mom tell her the story of her adoption. It’s so important for readers to have books about all different kinds of families since we know that love makes a family just as much as biology. Kelly Collier’s illustrations are so fantastic. You get to meet the characters in person right from the first page and you enjoy all of Isabel’s adventures with her though the story and the illustrations.”

Story Time with Stephanie

“With wide ranging emotions and frequent hilarity, Izzy in the Doghouse teaches kids about adoption, the responsibilities of child and pet care, non-traditional families, and the sometimes rocky road of friendship. It might also remind adults that children’s emotional highs and lows, while they can seem petty to onlookers, are very real to them.”

The Ormsby Review

“This is a endearing story, with an infectiously funny character that promises to equal Adderson’s beginning chapter success with her Jasper John Dooley series, and Kelly Collier’s funny line drawings break up the text and enrich and advance the story line with pizzazz that just fits Izzy. Says Kirkus Reviews, “An endearing, energetic take on chapter books for transitioning readers.

Books For Kids Blog

“This fun chapter book would be a great read for fans of the Slug Days series and Ivy and Bean. Izzy and Zoë are best friends—most of the time—except when Izzy gets the two of them in trouble. Izzy is heartbroken when Zoë takes a break from their friendship. When her family adopts a dog, Izzy thinks her troubles are over. But adopting a dog is a lot harder than she expects! Full of laughs and over-the-top moments, this book explores themes of friendship, adoption and of course, pet care.”

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