My Dog Has Fleas
A Ukulele Misadventure
1 Hardcover/1 CD (see all formats)

"My Dog has Fleas," sung to the tune of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," is a traditional melody used to help adjust the ukulele’s pitch. The song’s story is charmingly told in the young voice of Lucas Bodhi Towne, with informational asides provided in the clearly enunciated adult voice of Joe Towne. The initial back and forth of the Towneses adds a level of engagement to the introductory material. A brief ukulele history and basic information about how to play the ukulele are also included in the backmatter, narrated by Joe Towne. The inclusion of the ukulele sound effects and the singing of the song by Lucas Bodhi Towne, with backup vocals, makes this audio version an indispensable companion to the text. However, the audio does not stand alone; the illustrations are necessary for the full experience. Music teachers and young ukulele enthusiasts are sure to enjoy this winsome book.

Abetted by a peppy ukulele score, six-year-old narrator Lucas Towne treats kids to a romp in the park with a pack of flea-ridden pooches while teaching them how to tune a ukulele. In author-illustrator Barner's energetic scenes, the fleas appear as clouds of dots surrounding the dogs, who make merry havoc while a ukulele-playing child chases after them. Lucas Towne brings gusto to the tale's simple couplets, which are also sung (rather ponderously) in the final track by a trio of child voices. Towne's father, actor Joe Towne, reads an appended note on the ukulele's history, and strummed chords augment a pictorial introduction to ukulele fingerings. The audio enhancements neatly complete the print book.