Title: Hudson and the Sea Monster
Authors: Sherri C. Southers & Robert W. Spruce
Illustrations by: Gabriela Aviles
Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
ISBN: 978-1-6847-1421-6
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book
Pages: 40
Reviewed by: Barbara Miller
Hollywood Book Reviews
Hudson and the Sea Monster is a creative, humorous and wonderfully illustrated children’s story by authorsSherri C. Southers and Robert W. Spruce. The story captures the personified dog personalities of Hudson, a Labradoodle, and his K-9 friends Carl and Abby. It seems as if there is a scary sea monster lurking in Carl and Abby’s swimming pool, and they need their sleuth-dog friend Hudson to come over to investigate.
So, wearing a private-eye style Fedora, Hudson rides over to his friend’s home, and sees Carl and Abby trembling in fear over this dark and creepy sea monster. When they reach into the pool, the monster reacts by squirting water at them before retreating back into the deep end of the pool. Hudson is challenged to figure out just what is going on. (Spoiler Alert) In his epiphany, Hudson realizes the sea monster is simply a new automatic pool cleaner, and they all have nothing to fear! Then it’s all into the pool for a celebratory swim, joined by a frog. As the book comes to a happy ending, it is suggested new adventures await Hudson in capers yet to come.
The personalities of the dogs, along with the artistically detailed drawings and use of colors, brings the paging of this story into a class of children’s books which are extraordinary; those which are fun, humorous, captivating and adventurous – all while being wrapped up in a loving and nurturing tone. Hudson and the Sea Monster is an ideal book to be read to youngsters at bedtime, or on a rainy day, as the adventure theme will certainly captivate their attention.
The protagonist, Hudson is well developed, and worthy of being a lead character in this – and many future stories. Hudson has the characteristics of being smart in a pensive way, not getting overly excited like his friends Carl and Abby, and fearless in his pursuit of truth. Whether you are a dog owner or not, Hudson will find a place in your heart as being a friend to all, and a smart investigator who can sniff out the problem!