Customer Reviews:
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 This one's a hoot!, June 11, 2000
By K. Bennett (Rolla, MO USA)
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If you like puns and sight gags, then you'll love Dav Pilkey's Dog Breath, subtitled The Horrible Trouble with Hally Tosis. This crime-fighting canine story is one pun after another. Those adults who don't appreciate a good (or a really bad) pun may groan, but kids will eat it up and ask for seconds. Hally, the resident dog in the Tosis household, has breath so bad that when she opens her mouth, the leaves on the houseplants wither and die, the wallpaper curls up, and the picture of Mona Lisa holds her nose. Her breath is so bad that Mr. and Mrs. Tosis tell the kids the dog must go. The kids try everything to fix Hally's aroma -- the breath-taking view doesn't work, neither does the movie that promises to "take your breath away." That night, two burglars, whose arrival has been heralded all through the illustrations, break into the Tosis house. The only thing that stops them from making off with all the family's stuff is, what else, a big, wet, sloppy, stinky slurp from Hally. Mr. and Mrs. Tosis can't kick a hero out of the house. Because, after all, life without Hally... no, I'm not going to spoil one of the best puns in the book for you; you'll just have to read it yourself
24 of 25 people found the above review helpful.
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 4 ½* Tongue Wags the Dog, April 19, 2004
By M. Allen Greenbaum (California)
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The pleasingly familiar illustrations and comic sensibilities (i.e., silly, punny, off-hand) of famed children's writer Dav Pilkey are evident from the first line (and its accompanying illustration): "There once was a dog named Haley, who lived with the Tosis family." (Get it--Haley Tosis?). This dog is so smelly that Mona Lisa holds her nose, a skunk tries to hide, and Grandma Tosis faints after Haley gets in her face. After this, there are some typical Pilkey puns and visual humor as the family kids try to clean up her act. After Haley saves her human family from some burglars, she becomes "the most famous crime-fighting dog in the country." The last page is quintessential Pilkey: The Tosis family, clothespins pinching their noses, gathers around Haley in an overstuffed chair, happy to keep their dog "Because life without Haley Tosis just wouldn't make any scents." Although the book has other such puns and clever pictures, it's mostly for younger kids. Pilkey really reaches his zenith in the "Captain Underpants" series, which features humor that is both more outrageous and layered. There's more fun and irreverence in those books, but this is a good introduction to Pilkey for the younger set.
12 of 12 people found the above review helpful.
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a must read for children and adults!, October 7, 1998
By A Customer
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i read this book to all the children i babysit, and never get tired of it. adults will get a kick out of the subtle puns that children might not understand. the pictures are adorable and hide little hints to the climax of the story. please, please check this book out!
6 of 6 people found the above review helpful.
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Toddlers love this book too, September 26, 2004
By prismklr (Wisconsin)
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My husband picked this book up because of its sense of humor and bright and colorful illustrations, when our son was about a year old. What we didn't count on was how much he would enjoy this book at such a young age. Right away it was one of his faves, and he "reads" it himself every day - sometimes 4-5x. Also, he requests it for bedtime and sometimes he wants it read 2-3x. However, we don't mind the repitition, as the puns and clever illustrations make it fun for adults too.
5 of 5 people found the above review helpful.
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A very funny book about bad breath!, March 20, 2000
By Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA)
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Hally Tosis is a little dog with a great big problem, fantastically bad breath. The Tosis children take her to "breathtaking" sites and on adventures guaranteed to "take your breath away," but nothing helps. In the end, it's up to Hally herself to show the family how wonderfully useful her bad breath can be. The storyline of this book is quite humorous, and the artwork is doubly so. My first grader found this book very easy to read, perhaps too easy, but he enjoyed it immensely.
5 of 5 people found the above review helpful.
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this book is hillarious!, January 3, 1999
By A Customer
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lately i have been reading children's books, because i have recently become an aunt. This book caught my eye right away, very charming, adults will find this quite funny!
5 of 5 people found the above review helpful.
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Hally Tosis makes perfect scents!!, May 11, 2001
By "atoniolo" (Southern California)
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This book caught my eye in a local bookstore and I bought it becase I thought and illustrations were cute. This was one of the smartest purchases I have ever made. My 2 1/2 year old loves this book! I read it to her almost every night and she has the book memorized to the point where she "reads" along with me. We love Hally Tosis and her bad breath!!
5 of 6 people found the above review helpful.
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Doggone, What an un-smelly book!, November 12, 2002
By "jlc18" (Holland, PA)
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This is one of Dav Pilkey's best! Adorible and witty, it's a book for all ages. My teacher, Mr. Murph, used to teach second grade, so he has tons of children's books. I had read The Hallo-wiener and thought it was so cute, so i gave this book a try. i'm glad that i did! It's all about an adorible puppy who stinks! Our, at least her breath does! One day, when something terrible is about to happen, Hally-Tosis uses her breath to stop the problem in its tracks. I love the punny name, Hally-tosis. A hit children's book!
4 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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Humorous and Witty, January 26, 2002
By dondi
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It is another Dav Pilkey winner! This book approaches the topic of bad breath with great wit. The puns help children to understanding cliches and improving their reading skills.
My four year old son loves the book! He thinks it is hysterical that this cute dog is named Hally Tosis-meaning bad breath. This was a good vocabulary building book for my son. The illustrations alone help children in understanding the book!
3 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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A book to spark the laughter in both the parent and child, May 2, 1997
By A Customer
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Pilky once again is able to write a book that appeals to the youngster on one level and simultaneously appeal to the adult reader on a higher, more sophisticated level. As my 5 year old son laughs at the wacky watercolors, I listen to the skedwed humory and laugh along. This is an adorable story that appeals to any person who has every come close to a dogs mouth and will leave you and your child laughing. Neither of you will ever be able to talk about a dogs breath without also talking about this book. It is a book I enjoy seeing my son grab off his library shelf
3 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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In a world of kid's books littered with freakin' butterflies and rainbows, January 10, 2007
By Skip (Ohio)
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We finally get something that kids can REALLY appreciate- a cute, lovable dog with horrid breath. The story is hysterical, the artwork sheer perfection. My three and five year-olds both love this one. I have to confess I do, too. Yeah, there's a message in here, too... but who cares. Books like this will make young kids love books.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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A good laugh for everyone, March 4, 2006
By janny02 (New Hampshire)
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This is a nice easy read for the kids, and the reader can enjoy the adventure right along with the kids.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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A great book for kids of all ages, January 2, 2004
By A Customer
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My neighbor's young son gave me this book a few years back. He'd lovingly changed Hally Tosis' name to my dog's name! ha ha. We love the book and treasure it. The illustrations are precious, the message is right on target and of course the ending is happy! What more could one ask.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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THIS BOOK APPEALS TO CHILDREN AS WELL AS ADULTS, November 8, 1997
By A Customer
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I HAVE SPENT MANY WEEKS READING TO MY SON'S SECOND GRADE CLASS. THE BOOK DOG BREATH WAS BY FAR ONE OF THEIR FAVORITES. THE CHILDREN ENJOYED THE CLEVER ILLUSTRATIONS WITH HALEY'S GREEN BREATH AND THEY COULD IMAGINE HOW BAD IT WAS BY THE REACTIONS OF THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURES. THE CLASSROOM TEACHER EVEN CAME OVER WHEN SHE HEARD THE LAUGHTER. THIS BOOK IS AS FUN FOR ADULTS AS IT IS FOR CHILDREN.
2 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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Good, but I think Dogzilla and Kat Kong are more bang for your buck, June 13, 2007
By Emily (Pittsburgh, PA USA)
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This is a cute story, and the play on words with Hally Tosis is funny. My son likes this story, but it doesn't engage him in the way that some of the other Dav Pilkey books do. The writing just isn't as funny as it is in Dogzilla and Kat Kong. However, the illustrations are very funny, and we like to talk about all of the different reactions to Hally's doggy breath. In fact, the illustrations entertain my son more than the story.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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A very funny book about bad breath!, March 27, 2006
By Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA)
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Hally Tosis is a little dog with a great big problem, fantastically bad breath. The Tosis children take her to "breathtaking" sites and on adventures guaranteed to "take your breath away," but nothing helps. In the end, it's up to Hally herself to show the family how wonderfully useful her bad breath can be.
The storyline of this book is quite humorous, and the artwork is doubly so. My first grader (OK, he's older now) found this book very easy to read, perhaps too easy, but he enjoyed it immensely.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Princess Bubble thought this was a breath of fresh air!, September 12, 2005
By www.PrincessBubble.com (atlanta)
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I thought this book was so cute!!!! The humor is wonderful and so smart. I am publishing a children's book and hope it is as wonderful as Dog Breath!
(...)
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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King of the stinky dogs, May 28, 2004
By www.librarians.info (DeKalb, IL)
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Dav Pilkey's Dog Breath! has a witty story, amusing puns, and indispensable artwork that makes this book both comic and clever.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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 Not my favorite, October 30, 2009
By Al Bacone (SoCal, USA)
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After Captain Underpants, I had high hopes for this one, but it turns out to be just a pale reflection of "Walter the Farting Dog." For smelly dog stories, I'd stick with Walter; for the best of Dav Pilkey, it's probably best to just re-read Captain Underpants a few more times.
1 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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 Two boys' review: Cute story misses a good hygiene message, March 15, 2009
By Jared Castle (Roseburg, Oregon United States)
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We're always looking for a good bedtime book that entertains our young boys while teaching good hygiene and manners. Their book collection includes Sniffles, Sneezes, Hiccups, and Coughs and Micro Monsters: Life Under the Microscope, both of which I highly recommend.
The star of Bad Breath is "Hally Tosis," a dog that emits green clouds of halitosis. The family decides to give away the dog after its breath causes grandmother to faint. That same bad breath later knocks out two burglers, which leads the family to decide to keep the dog after all.
That's the story. Really, that's it.
I was disappointed but my sons enjoyed the story. This was our first Dav Pilkey book, so I didn't know what to expect. Pilkey loves puns and silly illustrations and both of those are here in abundance. What's missing is a resolution to the bad breath, maybe a little brushing or flossing.
Food in your mouth rots, helping bacteria grow, which leads to bad breath and can cause gum disease (gingivitis). We have toothbrushes for our dogs as well as bones and other teeth-cleaning treats. I suggest that when you finish the book ask your kids if they know some solutions to bad breath other than clipping clothespins to your nose.
In summary, the story is lighthearted and entertaining but closes with a makeshift resoution that misses an opportunity. I'd rate the book four stars if it included an epilogue about good hygiene but, as it stands, the book misses the mark: three stars.
1 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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King of the stinky dogs, May 28, 2004
By Happy Librarian (DeKalb, IL)
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Dav Pilkey's Dog Breath! has a witty story, amusing puns, and indispensable artwork that makes this book both comic and clever.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Gross! But my son loves it., August 17, 2011
By Kristin (Minneapolis, MN)
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I really don't like this book, just because it makes me squirm. But my son loves it. I think it is a boy thing. It is a fun book about a dog with really bad breath.
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Bored beginning reader LOVED this one!, July 13, 2010
By HERO
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I read with first graders, and my most challenging boy (who was bored with EVERYTHING in the early reader pile...) LOVED this book! He borrowed it to read to everyone who would listen and even got his buddies together and made it into a play!
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Great Book, full of laughs., February 8, 2010
By Nina the Librarian (PA)
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This is a delightful book full of laughs about a family dog. My 7 year old grandson loved this gift.
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Pilkey Rules, August 27, 2009
By frugal buyer (Sebring, Florida)
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Great book to read young boys. My grandson loved it and we were all laughing, including his younger sister. Funny and entertaining. Should be good reading for when he is older (only 6 now).
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Fun, fun, fun, March 4, 2009
By southern cuisine (Texas)
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Years ago I was the story reader in my church. This story reached out to all ages, brought great laughter and taught a valuable lesson. Great graphics and puns gallore.
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Pilkey for Prez!, September 24, 2008
By sooner born (Oklahoma, USA)
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Trust me, if you are looking for a book that kids (and adults) will love, one that has humor, wit and great characters, you can NEVER, EVER go wrong with Dav Pilkey. I laugh out loud every time!
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Great book. Lots of fun for kids. Dav Pilkey is a great kids author, July 9, 2008
By S. Roberts
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My kids love the Captain Underpants collection so I thought I would try some of Dav Pilkey's other books. Both Dog Breath and Halloweiner are excellent books as well. My 8 yr old loved both books. Very funny book. I recommend it highly.
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Hilarious!!!! And tender! A good lesson., June 25, 2008
By mayflower (BFE North, Ca. United States)
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This is the story of Hally Tosis, a dog who has such bad breath that her owners can find nothing to cure it. They figure they'll have to give her away. But one night Hally captures two men robbing her owners home-stuns them with her breath.
She's a sweetheart of a dog in a sweetheart of a tale. My boys just love this one. It makes all of us laugh every time we read it together!
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Putrid Pooch, July 25, 2007
By Rainbows
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Hally is a dog with bad breath. It is extremely bad breath. So bad the family feels they need to get rid of him. However, when his horrific breath saves the family from danger, the dog gets to stay and is a hero.
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Pilkey for Prez!, September 8, 2005
By Reading Dervish (Fall Creek, WI)
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I love Dav Pilkey! Well, I don't love him 'cause I don't know him, but I love his books! So do my students.
He is a brave writer and illustrator and there's no greater praise.
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My favorite book as a kid, December 14, 2011
By Movie Lover
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Well as a kid my parents read to me every night until fifth grade and I remember this book the most. I loved this book. It brings back fond memories for me. Dog Breath was unexpected and I thought I wouldn't like it , but as mom read it to me I laughed...the pictures were really funny (to me). I recommend this to any children's book collection.
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