The Patchwork Cat

Patchwork Dog has a knack for getting into trouble and his best friend, Calico Cat usually winds up right in the middle of the mess with him. Calico would rather spend her days sleeping in her nice comfortable bed, staying safe and worry free. She knows better than to follow Patchy when he is out looking for a new adventure, but she tags along anyway just in case…
On the other hand, Patchy is very curious and is always investigating new sights, sounds and smells. He follows his nose wherever it goes. Sometimes that leads to trouble but other times it gives Calico a chance to play a trick on her not so smart friend.
Join the two lovable creatures as Patchy tries to fly like a bird and finds out that soaring through the air is fun but the landing hurts too much. In another adventure, the little dog gets caught sneaking around an airplane. In the other three stories, Patchy and Calico eat too many apples, confront a not too friendly skunk, and take a magical ride into town.
Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat has illustrations at the beginning of each chapter that hint at what the new adventure will be about. Older children can read the stories themselves or it would make a wonderful bedtime story book for younger kids. The five tales will entertain children of all ages with the antics of the title characters and hopefully teach youngsters some valuable lessons on sharing and working together.

Excerpt

Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat woke up bright and early one chilly winter morning ready for a new adventure.

“Where should we go today, Calico? It’s a perfect day to go exploring.”

“Oh no Patchy, I know that look in your eyes. When you look at me like
that, we usually get in trouble.”

“When have I ever gotten you in trouble, Calico? I just want to have some fun today.”

“Fun…like sneaking into Mr. Smith’s tool shed and being locked in there all night?

…or like eating all those apples and being sick for two days?

or like…

“OK! OK! We have been in a few jams, but think of it as a way to learn new things.”

“Yea, we learned never to do things like that again,” said Calico Cat.

“See,” said the proud little dog, “if we didn’t have any adventures we would never learn valuable lessons.”

“Oh well, what do you have in mind to learn today?” grumbled the cat.

The "Patchy and Calico Collection" is a bonus anthology from the Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat book series for you and your child to read and enjoy. This book introduces the readers to Patchy and Calico and gives you a chance to share some of the adventures they have together.

The stories teach children valuable lessons while entertaining the youngsters with the silly antics of the title characters. It is a fun way for parents and teachers to talk with kids about friendship, thinking before doing, sharing, caring and giving.

If you enjoy the adventures in the Patchy and Calico Sampler, more stories can be found in these books:
"Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat"
"Patchy and Calico’s Summer Vacation"
"Christmas with Patchy and Calico"

“What I love most about the adventures of Patchy and Calico is that they show both the adventurous spirit of being young and the caution that parents try to instill in children. This is nicely emphasized in the adventures without being forced. I also love the questions at the end of each story which help my sons and I discuss important things that came up.”
Loretta Gilbert - The Parents’ Little Black Book of Books

Patchwork Dog has a knack for getting into trouble and his best friend, Calico Cat usually winds up right in the middle of the mess with him. Calico would rather spend her days sleeping in her nice comfortable bed, staying safe and worry free. She knows better than to follow Patchy when he is out looking for a new adventure, but she tags along anyway just in case…
On the other hand, Patchy is very curious and is always investigating new sights, sounds and smells. He follows his nose wherever it goes. Sometimes that leads to trouble but other times it gives Calico a chance to play a trick on her not so smart friend.
Children will laugh out loud when the two lovable creatures go to the beach where Patchy comes nose to claw with a fiddler crab, or when they take a walk through the woods and meet a not too friendly bear who can not decide whether to help the two lost campers or eat them.
In the other stories, children will enjoy reading about how Patchy and Calico accidentally join the circus, take an unplanned boat ride and get caught sneaking into a school classroom.
Patchy and Calico’s Summer Vacation has illustrations at the beginning of each chapter that hint at what the new adventure will be about. Other pictures are included at the end of each story along with some questions for the child to answer. Older children can read the stories themselves or it would make a wonderful bedtime story book for younger kids. The five tales will entertain children of all ages with the antics of the title characters and hopefully teach youngsters some valuable lessons about working together and staying out of trouble.

Excerpt

“Patchy, I think we’re going the wrong way. There are no more footprints and your wonderful nose doesn’t seem to be working.”
The dog carried on walking and sniffing.
Calico Cat started to cry. “We’re lost! I knew it was a mistake to go off by ourselves. Oh no, what was that noise? Was it a bear? I’m scared, Patchy.”
“Calico, there are not any bears around here and…”
Before Patchwork Dog could say any more, he heard a noise too, followed by a deep growl.
A big, black bear stuck his head out from behind the bushes. He looked at the two strangers and growled again.
Patchy and Calico were so scared that they could not move.
The bear walked closer and closer.
The two friends closed their eyes, afraid to see what the bear was going to do next.
Sniff… sniff… snort! The bear’s big nose checked out the strange new smells.
Patchy felt one of his floppy ears lifted up. The bear’s hot breath tickled the inside of his ear and the little dog giggled.
“Hmm, who are you and what are you doing in MY woods,” asked the bear in a very gruff voice.
The two friends introduced themselves, and Calico explained what had happened to them, ending with, “Please don’t eat us!”
“Um, well, I’m Bobby Bear and this is MY home. I don’t like strangers. You’re lucky, because right now I’m not all that hungry, so I won’t eat you; that is, if you leave RIGHT NOW!”

Christmas is a special time for kids of all ages and in “Christmas with Patchy and Calico”, the lovable dog and cat discover the true spirit of the holiday season. Through their many adventures, the two friends learn that giving, sharing, and caring are just as much fun as receiving presents.
In one story, making a snowman should be a fairly simple job, but not for these two. Patchy decides to show off and accidentally becomes the world’s first walking, talking snowdog.
Then when all the Christmas presents mysteriously disappear, Patchy and Calico become detectives. They track down the gift snatcher and come face to face with the bully who stole all the gifts from underneath their Christmas tree.
In other adventures, the two friends find a wealth of chestnuts and are given lots and lots of treats. What Patchy and Calico do with all the chestnuts and treats will teach children how simple gifts can make both the giver and receiver very happy.
Preschoolers on up to elementary-aged children (and adults too) love the adventures and misadventures of the two title characters. The humorous stories, illustrations, and simple questions at the end of each story will entertain kids while teaching them valuable lessons on sharing, caring and giving while spreading Christmas cheer.
Other books in this delightful series include “Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat” and “Patchy and Calico's Summer Vacation.”