📖 Overview
Schnitzel von Krumm's Basketwork follows a determined dog and his prized possession - a tatty old basket that serves as his bed. The story centers on Schnitzel's strong attachment to this seemingly worthless item.
The narrative tracks what happens when Schnitzel's family decides to replace his worn-out basket with a new one. Their well-meaning actions set off a chain of events throughout their household.
Through rhythmic text and expressive illustrations, this addition to Lynley Dodd's Hairy Maclary series captures the bond between pets and their cherished objects. The tale speaks to themes of attachment, comfort, and the value we place on items others might see as disposable.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate this book as a quick, engaging story about a beloved dachshund character from the Hairy Maclary series. Parents note that children enjoy the rhythmic text and relate to Schnitzel's attachment to his favorite sleeping spot.
Positive mentions:
- Rhyming pattern makes it fun to read aloud
- Illustrations capture Schnitzel's personality
- Short length works well for bedtime reading
Criticisms:
- Less engaging plot compared to other books in the series
- Some find the vocabulary challenging for young readers
- Limited character development
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.07/5 (based on 179 ratings)
Amazon: 4.5/5 (14 reviews)
Several reviewers mention using the book to teach children about letting go of worn-out possessions. One parent wrote: "The story helped my child understand when it was time to say goodbye to an old blanket."
📚 Similar books
A Pipkin of Pepper by Helen Cooper
A pot hunts for pepper through the streets of London with rhythmic text and misadventures that match the style of Schnitzel's quest for the perfect basket.
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion A dog transforms through mishaps and adventures while trying to avoid bath time, creating the same type of canine-centered domestic chaos found in Schnitzel's tale.
Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann A police dog steals the show during safety presentations, delivering the same type of pet-focused humor and charm found in Schnitzel's escapades.
The Adventures of Taxi Dog by Debra Barracca and Sal Barracca A stray dog finds his place riding in a taxi cab through the city, offering the same focus on a dog's special belongings and place in the world as Schnitzel's basket story.
McDuff Moves In by Rosemary Wells A small white terrier searches for his perfect home, echoing Schnitzel's determination to find the right basket with similar persistence and satisfaction.
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion A dog transforms through mishaps and adventures while trying to avoid bath time, creating the same type of canine-centered domestic chaos found in Schnitzel's tale.
Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann A police dog steals the show during safety presentations, delivering the same type of pet-focused humor and charm found in Schnitzel's escapades.
The Adventures of Taxi Dog by Debra Barracca and Sal Barracca A stray dog finds his place riding in a taxi cab through the city, offering the same focus on a dog's special belongings and place in the world as Schnitzel's basket story.
McDuff Moves In by Rosemary Wells A small white terrier searches for his perfect home, echoing Schnitzel's determination to find the right basket with similar persistence and satisfaction.
🤔 Interesting facts
🐾 "Schnitzel von Krumm's Basketwork" is part of the beloved Hairy Maclary series, which has sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
🎨 Author Lynley Dodd creates all illustrations using pen, ink, and watercolor, maintaining a consistent style across her entire series.
🐕 The character Schnitzel von Krumm is based on a dachshund that lived near Lynley Dodd's home in New Zealand.
📚 The book's rhythmic, rhyming text reflects Dodd's background as a teacher and her understanding of how children learn language through repetition and rhythm.
🏆 Lynley Dodd was awarded the Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DCNZM) in 2002 for her contributions to children's literature and illustration.