Starlight Barking

By Dodie Smith

Book Overview

Dodie Smith's The Hundred and One Dalmatians, adapted by Disney, was declared a classic when first published in 1956. The Starlight Barking, Dodie's own long-forgotten sequel, presents a thrilling adventure for Pongo and his family, lavishly illustrated by the same artist team as the first book.

As the story opens, every living creature except dogs is gripped by an enchanted sleep. One of the original Dalmatian puppies, all grown up since the first novel, is now the Prime Minister's mascot. Relying on her spotted parents for guidance, she assumes emergency leadership for the canine population of England. Awaiting advice from Sirius, the Dog Star, dogs of every breed crowd Trafalgar Square to watch the evening skies. The message they receive is a disturbing proposition, one that might forever destroy their status as "man's best friend."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312156642
• ISBN13: 9780312156640
• Release Date: August 1997
• Publisher: St. Martins Press-3PL
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.6" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

A Wonderful Book!

This was an amazing book. When I first started reading it, I wondered about some changes in the story compared to Disney's Movie. I think it was not good for Disney to change the story, and love the Starlight Barking much better than Disney's sequel, 102 Dalmations. It was cool to see that dogs could fly, open doors, and talk long-distance (with out paying extra!) I love this fantisy, but I think that Sirus should have let them have one special day like this every year and get to visit them. I certanly wouldn't mind sleeping in so that dogs could have fun. Once I dreamed that there were 20 books in the series, and that me and my friend tried to buy them all. I wish there really were 20 books.

Excellent Sequel to an Excellent Classic

When Pongo,( an intelligent, Handsome Male Dalmatian) Missis (A Pretty, and very metaphysical Female Dalmatian) and Cadpig ( The Pretty, Metaphysical, Intelligent Daughter of Pongo and Missis) wake up one morning and Find their 'pets' unwakeable, they imeadiatly wonder what's wrong. On their way to find out, they discover such things as how to 'Swoosh', a sort of way to hover,"High Swoosh", which is basicallly flying, and how to do things by just thinking about it. When they get a mysterious message from a bodiless voice,they tell the dogs of England to meet a Trafalgar Square at Midnight. When they do discover the reason behind all this, they Are Horrified!

YES!

I found this book in the library and was disappointed that it wasn't in print. I bought it on sight when I found out it was available again.

Wonderful sequel to The Hundred and One Dalmations

For those of you who loved Pongo, Misses, Perdita, Prince, and the rest of the Dalmation gang of the original book, this sequel is a welcome journey back to the "Dalmation Plantation" once known as Hell Hall. More science fiction in nature than the original, The Starlight Barking takes place a year or two after the original. The fifteen pupies have grown up, with the Cadpig even taking the Prime Minister as her "pet". It's been a tranquil time for Pongo and his Misses. Tranquil, that is, until one morning when their pets fail to wake up, doors open on their own for the dogs, and they even find that they can fly. Their search for answers take them to Number 10 Downing Street where Prime Minister Cadpig and Pongo, along with all dogdom, receive a message from across space. It is Siruis, the Dog Star, who has come to offer the canines of Earth an eternity of Bliss if only they will come with him, leaving Earth and humankind behind. The dogs' loyalty is put to the test. Will they leave man and Earth forever, dooming humans to a world without dogs? Or will they remain and live in a world filled with cruelty and the possibility of nuclear war? The Starlight Barking doesn't quite live up to the original, but still makes for a good yarn. Most of the elements of a good story are there, and it is nice to see some of the characters expanded upon from 101 Dalmations, including Cadpig and Roly Poly. I read this book in a single day, and was left with the wish that Dodie Smith would again write another sequel. I would definately recommend this book for those of you who liked the original.