Title: Bella Becomes a Poodle
Author: Deborah Egan
Illustrator: Genevieve McVaugh
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 979-8-3694-1562-7
Pages: 24
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book / Dog Lover’s Story
Reviewer: Beth Adams

Read Book Review

You would think that once a Poodle, always a Poodle, right? But that is not so. In this
adorable, illustrated children’s book titled, Bella Becomes a Poodle, author Deborah
Egan along with her granddaughter, Genevieve McVaugh providing amazing
illustrations, are introduced to Bella as a puppy. A furry, brown-haired, curly, loveable,
jumping with energy puppy, Bella is brought to a dog-groomer at a young age to have
her accustomed to being trimmed.

Over the next year-and-a-half, Bella undergoes other grooming, each beginning to
highlight the unique poodle attributes. First her long snout is trimmed revealing her
slender and pointed nose. Then her tail is trimmed leaving a pom-pom on the end. And
when Bella matures to nearly full size, a groomer gives her a pom-pom on her head and
booty-styled legwarmers over each paw. This completes the ultimate Poodle look –
something you would see right out of the Westminster Dog Show. A styling dog indeed,
proud and strong!

As Bella grows and morphs into her poodle-look, the story tells of the adventures of the
family moving to the South and having a new groomer with a southern accent; “y’all”
kind of accent. The artistic pictures bring a happy and loving storyboard of images to
enhance the love and kindness woven into the text. But the ultimate picture, at the end
of the book, is truly amazing! Genevieve had captured the beauty and grace of Bella
with her ultimate trimmings just perfectly – a wonderful portrait.

Readers who are dog-lovers will adore this book! It is a fine book to reach for at
bedtime, launching youngsters into puppy dreams, or on a rainy day reading this book
to their own dog. If there is no dog now, this book will show others hoping to have a dog
someday the happiness a pet such as Bella brings into a family. This is a great tale of a
tail-wagging puppy growing up into an adolescent and will be enjoyed by readers who
also are growing up. Who knows…perhaps children will want to have their own Spa-Day
seeing how well Bella grew into her Standard Poodle family pet.

Deborah Egan has written a touching story that not only entertains but also instills
valuable life lessons in young minds. Readers will appreciate the book’s positive
messages, making this book an excellent addition to any child’s bookshelf.