Penny Lee and Her TV

One morning, Penny wakes up to find the screen cold and dark. "She tried the remote. She shook the TV, but nothing happened. 'Help!' Penny Lee yelled. 'Call 911! Call the fire department! Call the National Guard!'" Fortunately for her, she's got a faithful canine who--not coincidentally, we find out later--has been looking for the chance to get more attention from his owner. Floppy-eared Mr. Barkley helps Penny Lee transport her set to the repair shop, but along the way the two (well, three, including the TV) find all sorts of opportunities for fun: playing hide-and-seek, skipping rope (or power cord, in this case), cloud-watching, even fishing. Could Penny possibly have found a life outside of TV? It's too soon to tell, but "that night, when Penny fell asleep, her dreams were commercial free."

Glenn McCoy puts his newspaper-comic skills to good use here, with an animated pigtailed Penny and excellent expressions from poor, long-suffering Mr. Barkley. (Readers will recognize his style from editorial cartoons in The New York Times and USA Today, or, more famously, his strip The Duplex.) McCoy's storytelling talent might not quite be up to this longer format yet, but he makes a respectable first showing. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes

Product Description
Peggy Lee loves to watch television so much that she has no time for anything else, but one day when the television stops working, her dog Mr. Barkley shows her some of the other fun things they can do.

This is a delightful story for children that teaches the lesson that there is more to life than just TV. If you have a couch potato junkie in your house give them this book to read. Reading is another fun activity that's more creative and educational. Glenn McCoy does an excellent job in telling this story that TV can take away your most important time to do other more important things. What's more important than being with your family and best friends? It's a great big, world out there NOT to enjoy it. McCoy uses his comic skills to create Penny Lee and Mr. Barkley. McCoy is the comic strip cartoonist for the famed 'The Duplex.' I'm sure the young one at home will find this one of their favorites. I just love children's books. This is one of my favorites!


A Must for TV Junkies   September 3, 2002
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

My five year old daughter and I enjoy reading this book...ALOT. For any one who likes watching a lot of tv, this really hits home and makes you laugh. It's about a little girl who LOVES her tv shows and one day it "breaks". Her and her dog find lots of other things to have fun with during the day and she even forgets that she is missing her shows eventually. Her dog gets attention and is happy and she has discovered a whole new world out there. Def buy it.


add this to your child's library soon   August 19, 2002
A very cute story of friendship between a girl and her pet, filled with bright and humorous drawings. Though I am asked to read it by my tots again and again, it entertains us just as much as the first time -- everytime-- read it & you will understand what I mean!


add this to your child's library soon   August 19, 2002
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

A very cute story of friendship between a girl and her pet, filled with bright and humorous drawings. Though I am asked to read it by my tots again and again, it entertains us just as much as the first time -- everytime-- read it & you will understand what I mean!