Book: Jessie the Doo-Doo Dog and the Visitors from Outer Space

By Bill and Jocelyn Hutchinson
Published by Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing
Review by Michelle Shaw

Dogs, poop, flying saucers and “a tail that’s out of this world”. This is a chapter book that children will adore.

The story is told from the perspective of Jessie, a Maltipoo who lives with her bigger cousins Katcha and Krissy, and their human mom and dad. Jessie’s sister, Jo-Jo, also lives close by and comes for frequent sleepovers.

One night, on one of their regular walks around the neighbourhood, the dogs come across an incredible sight: a flying saucer! And inside are two small creatures who “looked a lot like Jo-Jo and me—except they had green fur and a pair of matching antennas sticking out of their heads. Space dogs?!”

The space dogs have a serious problem. They have run out of fuel for their space craft…and a very special type of fuel is needed. The dogs and their human dad come up with a plan that involves enlisting the help of as many animals as they can find including the rabbits, the squirrels, the gophers, the geese and the beavers. The moose end up lending … uh, assistance too.

The authors provide lots of descriptions of the animals and their winter habitats so the reader can clearly visualize each scene, and the black and white illustrations provide extra detail. There is also a map in the beginning of the book so the reader can happily follow along with the animals and their adventures. The story is easy to read and full of details that children will find hilarious.

I loved Jessie’s voice and her sense of humour. She’s kind and helpful. When she’s talking to the rabbits, for instance, she tries “to make myself reallllllysmall, and talk... to them in [her] least woofy voice.” She’s also a girl with style! “My favourite outfit was an attractive teal blue parka and colour-coordinated leash…with a contrasting dog biscuit motif”.

I never realised I would find a book about dogs, poop and space adventure so captivating! I’m delighted to discover that Jessie’s next adventure – this one involving dinosaurs – is already being planned.

This is the second book in the Jessie the Doo-Doo Dog chapter book series. The first book, Jessie the Doo-Doo Dog goes to the Vet, was published in 2018.

THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE OR FROM WWW.SKBOOKS.COM.