About This Book
Reach for this book when you want to use laughter to address feelings of being 'different' or when a child is worried about a family pet. While the story is high-energy and hilarious, it touches on a very real fear for many children: the idea that a beloved pet might have to be given away because of a frustrating habit. It provides a safe space to explore loyalty and the lengths children will go to for those they love. The story follows Hally Tosis, a dog whose breath is so foul it causes literal chaos. When her parents decide she must find a new home, the children attempt several creative, failed cures until Hally unintentionally saves the day. It is a lighthearted look at unconditional love and finding the hidden value in things that others might find off-putting. Perfect for fans of slapstick humor and wordplay.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
1. DISTRESS: The central tension involves the parents planning to give the dog away. For sensitive children who are deeply attached to their pets, the threat of rehoming (even in a comedic context) might cause mild anxiety. 2. CONVERSATION: None.
Ideal Reader
A first grader who loves slapstick comedy and puns, or any child who enjoys stories about being loved exactly as they are.
Parent Prep
This is a safe read-aloud that can be read cold. Be prepared for lots of giggles at the 'gross-out' humor. Hearing their child express fear that the family pet might be sent away because of a mess or a bad habit.
Age Experience
Preschoolers will enjoy the visual gags of people fainting from the smell. Older elementary students will appreciate the clever puns (Hally Tosis / Halitosis) and the irony of the ending.
What Makes It Special
Dav Pilkey's signature blend of absurdity and heart, using a literal physical trait as the mechanism for both the conflict and the heroic resolution.
Read plot summary
Hally Tosis is a kind dog with a massive problem: her breath is incredibly smelly. After her parents decide the smell is too much and Hally must be rehomed, the children try various 'cures' (like a breathtaking view or a roller coaster) to take her breath away. Nothing works until burglars break in, and Hally's breath knocks them unconscious. She becomes a hero and the family decides to keep her, breath and all.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Why do you think the kids were so determined to help Hally when the grown-ups wanted to give her away?
2
Hally's breath is usually a problem, but it becomes a 'superpower' at the end. Can you think of a time when something you thought was bad turned out to be helpful?
3
What was the funniest 'cure' the kids tried to use to fix Hally's breath?
4
How did the family's feelings about Hally change after she caught the burglars?
