Note: I received a digital review copy of this book through NetGalley. ( )

Set sail with Captain Pug in this humorous adventure story. The only problem is that Pug is afraid of the water! When Pug gets separated from Lady Miranda, can he find courage to find her again? Make sure to join Pug for more books in this series.

This is the first book in a series about a pug. My daughter recently got a jug (half pug, half jack russell) so this book intrigued me and definitely interested my grandson. It was about the humorous adventures of a cute little pug. He is owned by Lady Miranda who has been invited to a party where there will be paddle boats. She dresses pug in a captain's suit and he becomes Captain Pug. Once they arrive at the park, they get separated and the fun begins. Captain Pug decides that he must become a famous Captain in order for Lady Miranda to find him. Lady Miranda doesn't let anything stop her from finding her beloved dog, even carrying one of her footmen in the sedan when he gets a blister. Of course they are reunited after several exciting "missions" for Captain Pug. Throughout the story, Pug was fearful of the water which makes perfect sense. For anyone who has had a pug, you know they are very poor swimmers.

One thing I really liked about this book were the illustrations. There were several with one on almost every page. With this being an early chapter book, this is helpful for those readers. They can use the pictures as clues as well as to break up the text. If it is a read aloud, it certainly enhances the story. The only issue I had with the text was that it was hard to read when the background was completely covered by colour.

I recommend Captain Pug to late primary, early junior readers who are venturing into independent reading of short chapter books. I also think it would make a charming readaloud for young children. If you are an animal lover, adventure lover or just like a humorous story, pick up this book. A winner for school, classroom and family libraries. I am looking forward to Pug's next adventure. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley. ( )

Pug lives with his best friend, the aristocratic Lady Miranda. Together, they have many adventures. But when Lady Miranda is invited to a party and tells Pug he will be Captain Pug, he is worried. Can he live up to his name? Will he learn to sail the seas?

Cheerful orange and blue pictures show a stereotypically British landscape. Lady Miranda is an autocratic and individual little girl, who demands her footmen dress in wigs and tailcoats and carry her in a sedan chair. There's no parents in the picture, but a host of dedicated servants. Pug is a cheerful and friendly animal with a simple reaction to anything unnerving - constant barking - and a determination to please his little mistress.

Normally, I'd look at this and take it off the list. Too British, do we really need more books about wealthy white kids and their pampered pets? Reading level too high for the kids who'd be interested in the story. But I have gotten a lot of interest from parents in reading aloud beginning chapter books with pictures to their younger children who eat up silly adventures with humor, talking animals, and quirky plots.

Verdict: If you have an audience for this kind of cozy read-aloud, it's a good addition. I wouldn't purchase it for kids to read on their own though.

ISBN: 9781681193809; Published 2016 by Bloomsbury; Borrowed from another library in my consortium