What do a novel based on the ideals of the French Revolution, a narrative that develops around two families living in the Salinas Valley, California, and a dystopia of lost children on a desert island have in common? The three plots of the classics serve as the background for stories about the Dog Man, a character created by the American author-illustrator Dav Pilkey, whose release of the fourth volume of the policeman series with the body of a man and the head of a dog, The Dog Man and the supergatinho, has just arrived at bookstores in the country.
The hero who barks in the face of danger was created from the adventures of the Captain Cueca series by the duo Jorge and Haroldo. And it was in the fifth school year, more specifically in the third volume of the series, that the canine police strip began to present elements of classic stories. It happened when the two mischievous boys, Jorge and Haroldo, were already “more mature and smarter”, as they themselves make a point of punctuating in the preface “Dog-Man on the Stage”. Thanks to Mrs. Chievess, the literature teacher, or thanks to her, the pair of friends got to know some classics and decided to use this repertoire as inspiration to recount the endeavors of this security agent who graces newspaper covers for his heroic attitude and also distracts himself by biting his foot of the wooden chair. Some old habits really never change.
The inspiration was clear in the title, O Homem-Cão: A Tale of Two Kittens. The book refers to A Tale of Two Cities, written in 1859 by Charles Dickens. André Czarnobai, translator of the book for Companhia das Letrinhas, explains a little about this adaptation process: “A tale of two cities became ‘kitties’ because the sound of the two words is very similar in English; in Portuguese, ‘cidades’ and ‘kittens’ are completely unrelated. So this puzzle was quite complex. A lot was lost in many moments, but a great effort was made to, whenever possible, reinforce the connections between the two works”.
“Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas” is the fifth installment in Dav Pilkey’s popular “Dog Man” series, which is a graphic novel series targeted towards children. The book follows the story of Dog Man, a half-man, half-dog superhero, and his friends as they try to stop a new villain named Petey the Cat, who has returned and brought with him a hoard of fleas that he plans to use to take over the world.
The book is divided into several short chapters, each containing a different part of the story. The story begins with the introduction of Petey the Cat, who is shown trying to build a new weapon that he can use to take over the world. Meanwhile, Dog Man and his friends are trying to enjoy their summer vacation, but they are quickly called into action when they discover that Petey has returned.
The book is filled with humor and wit, and Pilkey’s signature writing style is evident throughout. The illustrations are also fantastic, with bright colors and detailed drawings that bring the characters to life. The use of speech bubbles and sound effects adds to the overall reading experience, making the book engaging and fun for children of all ages.
One of the strengths of the book is the character development. The characters in the book are well-rounded and have their own unique personalities. Dog Man is a lovable hero who is always willing to help others, while Petey the Cat is a cunning villain who is always coming up with new schemes to take over the world. The other characters, such as Chief, Sarah, and 80-HD, are also well-developed and add to the overall richness of the story.
Another strength of the book is its message of teamwork and friendship. Throughout the book, Dog Man and his friends work together to defeat Petey and his army of fleas. They all have their own strengths and weaknesses, but they use their skills to complement each other and ultimately save the day. The book teaches children the importance of working together and the value of friendship.
The book also touches on important themes such as perseverance, selflessness, and redemption. Petey the Cat, despite being a villain, has moments of redemption throughout the story. He is shown to have a conscience and regrets some of his past actions. This shows children that people can change and that redemption is possible.
One potential weakness of the book is its repetitive nature. The story follows a similar pattern to the previous books in the series, with Dog Man and his friends trying to stop a villain from taking over the world. While the story is engaging, some readers may find it repetitive.
Another potential weakness is the level of violence in the book. While the violence is not graphic, there are several scenes where characters are shown fighting or being attacked by fleas. Some parents may find this inappropriate for younger readers.
Overall, “Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas” is a fun and engaging book that is sure to be a hit with children. The book’s humor, characterdesenvolvimento e mensagem de trabalho em equipe o tornam um ótimo complemento para a biblioteca de qualquer criança. Embora possa ser repetitivo e conter alguma violência, esses problemas são superados pelos pontos fortes gerais do livro.
