• Age: 3 to 7
• Grade: 1 to 4

Every morning by 06:00 hours, Frank is awake and on duty for Squirrel Patrol. This pug takes his role seriously: basic training, neighborhood surveillance, and, most importantly, protecting his humans and the cat, Laverne, from the Great Dane next door.

Laverne, however, prefers a more refined lifestyle of napping, kneading her cat bed, and scorning humans’ ridiculous behavior. As much as Frank loves her, the deadpan Laverne loathes Frank. She dreams of sending him away forever and claiming his fish-shaped chew toy for herself.

Both pets report their perspectives separately, from opposite ends of the book, until the story comes to a head in the middle with a single encounter Frank and Laverne perceive in very different ways.

Written in the style of a daily log with text and illustrations interspersed, the story abounds with verbal and visual humor that will appeal to reluctant readers. Rich vocabulary, onomatopoeia, and the play on opposing points of view make this a smart, laugh-out-loud pick for critical reading.

DAVE WHAMOND a illustré la série Margot et My Think-a-ma-Jink, tous deux gagnants du prix Blue Spruce. Il a également signé les illustrations des livres de Robert Munsch Quelle tête!, C’est petit ici! et Je raffole de l’école!, et est l'auteur d'une bande dessinée intitulée Reality Check, qui paraît quotidiennement dans un certain nombre de journaux nord-américains. Dave habite à Calgary, en Alberta.

DAVE WHAMOND is the creator of Oddrey and My Think-a-ma-Jink, both winners of the Blue Spruce Award. He illustrated the Robert Munsch books Braids!, Think Big! and School Rules! He also has a syndicated cartoon strip called Reality Check, which appears daily in a number of North American newspapers. Dave lives in Calgary, Alberta.

Dave Whamond's profile page

JENNIFER STOKES has been a children’s book editor for almost twenty years. She works from home, living in Toronto with her husband, three children, and a quirky black-and-white cat named Moo. Frank and Laverne is her first book.

Jennifer Stokes' profile page

• Winner, Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Shining Willow Award
• Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids and Teens

"...two fun tales joined together through an innovative storytelling style. Recommended."

Canadian Review of Materials

"Kids will want to reread this book once they have both sides of the story. In this way, Frank and Laverne encourages them to consider how people can act for different reasons, based on their unique perspectives of the same situation."

The National Reading Campaign

"The differing perspectives lend themselves to discussions of point of view and the value of close scrutiny."

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"I have a cat and dog at home and I think it is funny to imagine what they are thinking of each other's behaviors.... Kids will laugh so hard when they read Frank and Laverne."

Jewel, Age 8, Kids Book Buzz

"A great read for older kids...will certainly draw in the younger crowd, who may enjoy this book over and over again, understanding more and more each time."

School Library Journal

"Will appeal to older readers...useful in classrooms exploring perspective in creative writing."

Kirkus Reviews