Like other pooches, Farley is often a prisoner of his nose. Ever hungry and always inquisitive, this big-eared canine follows every scent wherever it might lead. Thanks to his lovable lack of control, he is always meeting new friends and wandering into fresh adventures. A charming picture book debut for an endearingly inept four-legged hero.
Publishers Weekly
The affable, always-up-for-a-meal sheepdog from Johnston's long-running comic strip "For Better or for Worse" takes a star turn. Smelling hot dogs grilling at a nearby house, Farley bolts from home without his collar. More smells-nicely conveyed through a rush of words in wavy typography ("pineneedleswetdirttomatoesmint and... toasted marshmallows!")-beckon him further afield, although Johnston and Cruikshank (who is also a vet) are careful to portray the wider world as benevolent and responsible (teenagers refuse to give Farley their marshmallows because "Dogs' stomachs aren't made for such sweet stuff"). Dog lovers of all ages will appreciate how the authors resist overanthropomorphizing their hero: when Farley reunites a lost boy with his family, it's because the dog smells hot dogs, lemon cake, apple juice and popcorn on him and figures there's more of the same at the boy's house. The warmhearted comic energy and Johnston's genial, knowing cartooning make the pages fly by; readers are sure to root for Farley getting his own series-or better yet, his own animated cartoon. Ages 4-8. (May)
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School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2
Johnston and Cruikshank spin a slightly overlong tale of a freshly shampooed, hungry dog that runs off when he is irresistibly drawn to the smell of hot dogs. Gallivanting from place to place as he follows the scent of food, Farley mooches tidbits and affection wherever he can, including from a little boy at a party. As darkness falls, the now-scruffy canine encounters the sobbing boy, who is lost. Following his nose and retracing his steps, Farley leads the child back home and is himself found by his family, who have been out looking for him. The busy ink and watercolor illustrations contain some good action but little change in perspective. While children may be attracted to the goofy and lovable pooch, the episodic story line is thin. Libraries with a plethora of books featuring dogs, including Gene Zion's Harry the Dirty Dog (HarperCollins, 1956) or Cynthia Rylant's The Great Gracie Chase (Scholastic, 2001), may want to pass on this puppy.-Marge Loch-Wouters, La Crosse Public Library, WI
Kirkus Reviews
For Better or for Worse's dog Farley doesn't love baths, but they do make him hungry. After he shakes himself dry, he smells HOT DOGS! Farley loves hot dogs, and he runs off before Elly can put his collar back on. Farley follows his nose to a children's party (he loves children) where he gets his hot dog. Then he follows his nose to a construction worker's ham-and-cheese sandwich (he loves ham-and-cheese sandwiches). He's thirsty and follows his nose to a swimming pool (he loves pools). After a nap, he finds a child, lost from the party earlier. Farley first gets the boy home and then follows his nose to his own home. Farley's had a big day, and unfortunately . . . he needs another bath. Johnston's characters from her long-running comic strip are ready-made for picture books. Big-eyed, energetic Farley and his "sniff snorfle SNUFF" nose will be a big hit with storytimers, and it won't matter a bit that they're too young to recognize the characters. A great addition to storytimes on baths, senses and dogs. (Picture book. 4-8)
