Help Me, Mr. Mutt!: Expert Answers for Dogs with People Problems

By Susan Stevens Crummel and Janet Stevens

Responding to disgruntled dogs nationwide, Mr. Mutt, Canine Counselor, has solutions to the most sticky dilemmas. But Mr. Mutt has his own problem to solve: the cat (aka The Queen), who has her own idea of who’s in charge. Now Mr. Mutt is the one who needs help--quick!          Through letters and newspaper clippings--and with plenty of their trademark humor--Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel give voice to despairing dogs everywhere.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Apr 1, 2008
• ISBN: 9780547351742

Susan Stevens Crummel

Susan Stevens Crummel has collaborated with Janet Stevens, her sister, on several picture books, including The Little Red Pen, The Great Fuzz Frenzy; Texas Bluebonnet winners Cook-a-Doodle-Doo!, Help Me, Mr. Mutt!; and the Texas Bluebonnet nominee And The Dish Ran Away with the Spoon. A former teacher, she now writes children's books and makes author appearances at schools full-time. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas. Visit her online at susanscrummel.com.  

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Reviews for Help Me, Mr. Mutt!

[brittburditt · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Are you a dog who has problems with your owners? No need to fear, Mr. Mutt is always available for help! When dogs have a problem with how they are being treated at home, they write a letter to Mr. Mutt who then responds with advice on how to handle the situation. Unfortunately, with every letter Mr. Mutt sends out he hears from the pesky cat, the Queen. "Help Me, Mr. Mutt!" but Janet Stevens, is told from the perspective of multiple dogs through letters and flyers in the newspaper. The illustrations show details of how the gods write and treat the letters, as well as pictures of the scenarios that are goin on. This book is enjoyable because it is from a dog's perspective and has advice that most owners would disagree with. It also integrates the feud between cats and dogs in a different way than you usually see.

[ash13276 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is a 2009-2010 Texas Bluebonnet winner. This book is about dogs that write to Mr. Mutt about there dog problems and ask for help. Mr. Mutt always seems to have great advice for the other dogs. I rated this book a 4 because it was a fun book to read, but i am not sure if i would use it in my class. I thought it was cute when Mr. Mutt wrote how how to get back at the lazy cat. Great book for an animal project, or teaching students/ introducing students on how to write letters.

[kc3133 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a fun book that does a great job of introducing letters by including all of the important parts of one (heading, introduction, body, conclusion, signature)

[nicoally · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This picture book uses letters to and from an advice columnist dog, Mr. Mutt, to convey this witty story. Dogs from around the US, such as Famished in Florida, compose letters asking Mr. Mutt for help on how to solve problem with their humans and to complain about the special treatment the cat in the house gets. Mr. Mutt offers them "Top Dog" solutions to their human issues as well as how to “control” the cat in the house; however, while giving out advise Mr. Mutt’s uppity feline roommate, The Queen, objects to Mr. Mutt’s suggestions and dictates her own opinions. In her estimation, the cat will rule the house. A great learning tool for children in grades 1-4 because it provides humor, repetition, and detailed illustrations that allows the story to flow. Adults will also enjoy the amusing advice Mr. Mutt offers and perhaps relate it to their own furry pets’ behaviors. Highly Recommended.

[mrcmyoung · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Mr. Mutt writes an advice column for dogs who are in distress because of their thoughtless owners. The concept is cute but the execution left me uninspired. I think I would have enjoyed the book more without Mr. Mutt's snarky indictments of cats, each of which requires the Queen, his feline housemate, to come back with her two cents. Maybe there was just a little too much going on, and the tension between Mr. Mutt and the Queen felt like a contrivance to give the plot some structure.

[vhlwyatt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Humourous correspondence through letters by pets, comparing their pet owners.

[danusia_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

don't much care for how the cat is portrayed in this book. The pictures are great, very funny but impossible for group sharing. Im sure readers will enjoy the feuding between the cat and dog. Humorous, but still, only 3 stars.

[sriches_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

[close] Responding to disgruntled dogs nationwide, Mr. Mutt, Canine Counselor, has solutions to the most sticky dilemmas. But Mr. Mutt has his own problem to solve: the cat (aka The Queen), who has her own idea of who’s in charge. Now Mr. Mutt is the one who needs help--quick! Through letters and newspaper clippings--and with plenty of their trademark humor--Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel give voice to despairing dogs everywhere.

[aprilcm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a precious story about Mr. Mutt, an advice columnist sought after by dogs across the country that need assistance with people problems. Mr. Mutt utilizes graphs and charts and “scientific” back-up for all of his responses. The dogs always compare themselves to cats and complain about how cats get treated. To counteract that, there is a cat that throws her two cents in after every letter. This is a hysterical 2009-2010 Bluebonnet book that will have you rolling on the floor. For dog, cat, and comic lovers!

[shelf3employed · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In the same vein as Dr. Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School, Help Mr, Mr. Mutt! is hilarious and deserving of an older audience. Mr. Mutt has a humorous advice column for dogs with "people problems." The dog whose owner dresses him up complains,"Dear Mr. Mutt,It's ridiculous!Outrageous!Preposterous!Holidays are unbearable. First I'm a baby, next I'm a bunny, then I'm a bride, now I'm an angel....Where is my dignity?..... --Overdressed in OklahomaP.S. My people never dress up the cantankerous cat!"Mr. Mutt offers humorous advice to each writer and adds a "dig" at cats in each reply. The cat, known as The Queen, responds indignantly to each letter. The illustrations alternate between depictions of letters from distressed pooches, answers on the official letterhead of Mr. Mutt, Canine Counselor, and irate responses from The Queen on her regal pink stationary, The Queen Speaks. Graphs, charts, "photos," and scenes from Mr. Mutt's studio will keep readers in stitches. The story ends with newspaper accounts, "DOGS INVADE DOGWOOD!" and "CATastrophe!" This book is funny on many levels and deserves a second, third and even a fourth look. The dust jacket offers a list of things to look for in the book, including numeric palindromes, actual dog hair, and paper clips. Now I'm going to have to read it again!