Wedgie & Gizmo

by Suzanne Selfors, Heller Johnny (Read by), Maxwell Glick (Read by)

Overview

Fans of Stick Dog and My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish will love Suzanne Selfors’s hilarious new illustrated series about the growing pains of blended families and the secret rivalry of pets.

“A delightfully fun read that will leave you in stitches!”—Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat

When a bouncy, barky dog and an evil genius guinea pig move into the same house, the laughs are nonstop! Wedgie is so excited, he can’t stop barking. He LOVES having new siblings and friends to protect. He LOVES guinea pigs like Gizmo! He also LOVES treats!

But Gizmo does not want to share his loyal human servant with a rump-sniffing beast! He does not want to live in a pink Barbie Playhouse. Or to be kissed and hugged by the girl human. Gizmo is an evil genius. He wants to take over the world and make all humans feel his wrath. But first he must destroy his archenemy, Wedgie, once and for all!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538420041
Publisher:	Katherine Tegen Books
Publication date:	10/01/2017
Series:	Wedgie & Gizmo , #1
Edition description:	Unabridged
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 6.70(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Bestselling author Suzanne Selfors lives on a mysterious island in the Pacific Northwest, where she spends most of her time making up stories, which is her very favorite thing to do. She has a dog and a cat, and is seriously considering getting an Evil Genius guinea pig. You can visit her at www.suzanneselfors.com

Barbara Fisinger is an illustrator, character designer, and visual development artist. Her books include the Wedgie & Gizmo series. You can visit her on Tumblr at www.barbarafisinger.tumblr.com.

Editorial Reviews

A delightfully comedic look at the chaos that is family life… There’s plenty of warmth and humor, with a bit of sardonic bite from Gizmo, and readers of Jamieson’s The Great Pet Escape will find much to love here.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

A delightfully fun read that will keep you in stiches!” — Dan Santat, Caldecott Medal Winner for THE ADVENTURES OF BEEKLE: THE UNIMAGINARY FRIEND

“Readers will love Wedgie and Gizmo’s distinct and hilarious voices and Barbara Fisinger’s adorable and eye-catching illustrations!” — John Schumacher (aka Mr. Schu), Ambassador for School Libraries

“This first installment is great for one-on-one sharing or independent reading. A solid purchase for libraries looking for early chapter books.” — School Library Journal

“Amusing and imaginative.” — Kirkus Reviews

“A delightfully comedic look at the chaos that is family life… There’s plenty of warmth and humor, with a bit of sardonic bite from Gizmo, and readers of Jamieson’s The Great Pet Escape will find much to love here.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Comical illustrations and lighthearted text combine to captivate middle-grade readers as a guinea pig evil genius and a corgi canine superhero match wits and win reader’s hearts.” — Mary Burkey, independent library consultant, Booklist Reader

“Selfors has written a hilarious tale of two families becoming one-from the point of view of the pets. This peek into the secret lives of pets will be irresistible to animal-loving early readers.” — Tegan Tigani, children's book buyer, Queen Anne Book Company, Seattle

“I truly adored this book! It’s super and genius . . . and not a bit evil. The author is a hero! Who will win out in the rivalry between this cagey Cavy and capewearing Corgi? The readers!” — Starr Latronica, Director, Brooks Memorial Library, Brattleboro, VT

Praise for the Imaginary Veterinary series: “The best books are those in which imaginary creatures leap off the page and into our world—just one of the reasons why this book is a ton of fun. I can’t wait for more adventures.” — Wendy Mass, NYT bestselling author

“An entertaining story that will pique readers’ interest from the first dragon sighting. Ben is a relatable main character, and daring, outspoken Pearl is the perfect partner in crime.” — Publishers Weekly

“Selfors kicks off her Imaginary Veterinary series with a solid, entertaining opener. Ben and Pearl are Everykids that readers will relate to, and the adults of Buttonville are often delightfully weird and clueless. More hijinks adventure than mystery, this is sure to win an audience.” — Kirkus Reviews

Praise for SMELLS LIKE DOG: * “Selfors offers up an adventure tale that features a humorous, high-stakes mystery and a lovable hero. ...Peppered with funny dialogue, this joyous romp is a page-turning adventure that will appeal to enthusiastic and reluctant readers alike.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Full of fantasy, fun and humorous dialogue, this will attract dog lovers, mystery enthusiasts, adventure addicts, and reluctant readers. A thoroughly enjoyable read.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

“Fans who enjoy the editorializing and over-the-top humor in Wendelin Van Draanen’s Gecko and Sticky series will take pleasure in this misfit duo’s quirky adventures.” — Booklist

“A whimsical narration and sometimes comical dialogue add a light touch.” — School Library Journal

Praise for SMELLS LIKE TREASURE: * “A funny, suspenseful adventure that stretches the borders of readers’ imaginations.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“The suspense of the challenge will keep readers turning the pages. Fans will love Homer and Dog’s return.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

“It is the perfect balance of humor, peril, sadness, excitement and adventure.” — Time for Kids

“There is plenty of rip-roaring fun here; fans will applaud Homer and Dog’s return.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Quirky characters and over-the-top humor” — Booklist

From the Publisher

I truly adored this book! It’s super and genius . . . and not a bit evil. The author is a hero! Who will win out in the rivalry between this cagey Cavy and capewearing Corgi? The readers!

Starr Latronica

A delightfully comedic look at the chaos that is family life… There’s plenty of warmth and humor, with a bit of sardonic bite from Gizmo, and readers of Jamieson’s The Great Pet Escape will find much to love here.

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Praise for the Imaginary Veterinary series: “The best books are those in which imaginary creatures leap off the page and into our world—just one of the reasons why this book is a ton of fun. I can’t wait for more adventures.

Wendy Mass

Readers will love Wedgie and Gizmo’s distinct and hilarious voices and Barbara Fisinger’s adorable and eye-catching illustrations!

John Schumacher (aka Mr. Schu)

Comical illustrations and lighthearted text combine to captivate middle-grade readers as a guinea pig evil genius and a corgi canine superhero match wits and win reader’s hearts.

Mary Burkey

A delightfully fun read that will keep you in stiches!

Dan Santat

Selfors has written a hilarious tale of two families becoming one-from the point of view of the pets. This peek into the secret lives of pets will be irresistible to animal-loving early readers.

Tegan Tigani

It is the perfect balance of humor, peril, sadness, excitement and adventure.

Time for Kids

Full of fantasy, fun and humorous dialogue, this will attract dog lovers, mystery enthusiasts, adventure addicts, and reluctant readers. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

Fans who enjoy the editorializing and over-the-top humor in Wendelin Van Draanen’s Gecko and Sticky series will take pleasure in this misfit duo’s quirky adventures.

Booklist

Fans who enjoy the editorializing and over-the-top humor in Wendelin Van Draanen’s Gecko and Sticky series will take pleasure in this misfit duo’s quirky adventures.

Booklist

05/01/2017
Gr 2–5—Gizmo may be a guinea pig, but he considers himself to be an evil genius. When Elliot and his dad, along with Gizmo, move in with Jasmine and Jackson, their mom, and Wedgie, their dog, Gizmo vows destruction. Wedgie, or Super Wedgie, as he likes to be known, wears a red cape, loves to eat food off the floor, and does not like the vet. Through both animals' alternating points of view, readers learn about the adjustments of moving and becoming a new, blended family. Snippets of human conversations and lists of evil plans give a hilarious and unique perspective to this story of two families coming together. The illustrations and short chapters help break up the text for young readers, while the dialogue, formatted like lines in a script, make this ideal for readers theater programs. VERDICT This first installment is great for one-on-one sharing or independent reading. A solid purchase for libraries looking for early chapter books.—Shana Morales, Windsor Public Library, CT

School Library Journal

Narrators Johnny Heller and Maxwell Glick are unfailingly exuberant as they bring Wedgie and Gizmo to life. This is no easy task, given these two large personalities—one a guinea pig set on taking over the world and the other the quintessential family dog, ever faithful but out of step. Wedgie and Gizmo are in the thick of it whether racing about in a superhero cape, bemoaning a new pink plastic cage, or out walking with Elliot and Jasmine. Heller and Glick use every narration technique—low, menacing drawn-out words; enthusiastic utterances in bouncy high-pitched tones; and pacing as dizzying as the action. A fun-filled romp. A.R. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

NOVEMBER 2017 - AudioFile

2017-05-10
When families get blended, so do their animals. Gizmo, a genius guinea pig who can read and wears eyeglasses, and Wedgie, a much less intelligent corgi who wears a superhero cape, each alternately relate their interwoven stories in distinct first-pet voices.Unfortunately for the guinea pig, his owner, Elliot, is forced to let his new, annoying little sister, Jasmine, help take care of Gizmo. Jasmine enjoys dressing him up in tutus and housing him in Barbie's lavish (pink) former abode. But Gizmo is an intrepid sort of critter with evil plans to rule the world, and he does find Barbie's rucksack useful for carrying gear as he engages in some nighttime adventures, not all of them successful. Through comments Elliot makes, readers learn of his unhappiness with his new family situation, although this second storyline takes a back seat to Gizmo's scheming. Acting as his and Elliot's foil, Wedgie, who calls Gizmo "the Furry Potato," is convincingly doglike in his eager embrace of just about everything. Fisinger's numerous illustrations are action-packed and appropriately humorous, especially in their depiction of Wedgie's never-ending enthusiasm. An opening gallery introduces Jasmine's family as Latino and Elliot and his father as black. While the tale is never laugh-out-loud funny, it's amusing and imaginative enough to sustain interest for readers new to chapter books. Gizmo is more droll than likable, but Wedgie is attractively steadfast and amiable, in the end rescuing both Gizmo and the story. (Fantasy. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews