Book Review: James Howe’s Return to Howliday Inn

Posted March 29, 2011 by Kathy Davie in Book Reviews, Middle-Grade readers

I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Source: the library
Book Review: James Howe’s Return to Howliday Inn

Return to Howliday Inn


by

James Howe


fiction in Paperback edition that was published by HarperTrophy on March 1, 1993 and has 116 pages.

Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon


Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Bunnicula, Nighty-Nightmare, Bunnicula Meets Edgar Allan Crow

Fifth in the Bunnicula funny fictional series for middle-grade readers about a possibly vampire bunny.

My Take

Return to Howliday Inn sees Chester, Howard, and Howie back to Chateau Bow-wow when the Monroes take a vacation. It’s a paranormal experience for the three pets when bones talk, disembodied voices speak, and mysteries require solving.

What is the dread secret that threatens them all? Why hasn’t Hamlet’s Archie returned for him yet? What happened to Rosebud? And what is this breakfast of paste-and-kitty-litter-pudding?

A fun read, especially with all the punny bits; I do love Howe’s characterization of animals but not one of my favorites in any of Howe’s series.

It’s gruel and unusual punishment is what it is!

The Characters

The primary characters in the series include Chester, the cat, who reads too much — which helps when he leaps to conclusions — and constantly building Mount Everest out of molehills while Howie, the young dachshund, is too cute and gullible for words. Then there’s the voice of reason, Harold, who is more interested in his food dish or a nice nap. Bunnicula is on his own vacation in this story staying with Pete’s friend, Kyle.