The Poodle of Doom

April 15, 2023
A would-be overlord Chihuahua meets his poodle nemesis. One week into his new home life with the Chins, Ember wakes up next to Lucy Chin, his "favorite human." But the peace is interrupted as everyone prepares for the arrival of Lucy's Poh Poh and her poodle, Fluffy. The other Chin household pets--BeBe the beetle, Neo the canary, and Smelly Steve the hamster--warn that Fluffy is "PURE EVIL." With nefarious schemes like turning on the dreaded dryer and catchphrases like "YOUR DOOM IS HERE!" villainous Fluffy initially inspires Ember, a "fan of evil." But when Ember and friends catch a glimpse of Fluffy's "DOOMSDAY DEVICE," things get serious (though the humans just think that the pets are playing). Can they stop Fluffy before it's too late? Much like its predecessor, My Kingdom of Darkness (2022), this early chapter book delivers hijinks and hilarity from a pup's first-person point of view. Wei's black-and-white cartoon illustrations up the ante with expressive, entertaining visuals. A refreshing reversal of traditional gender roles sees elder brother Kevin wanting to be a baker and Lucy, a scientist. The Chin family is cued Chinese. Lucy's classmate Arjun is brown-skinned and appears to have two dads (one brown-skinned, one White-presenting). The cliffhanger ending promises more dastardly deeds to come. Wacky capers and plenty of humor. (questions & activities) (Humor. 6-8)

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