Beverley Fahey (Children's Literature)
Dexter the dachshund is little in every way and as a result takes the brunt of bullying from the other dogs and from Cleevis the tomcat. In an effort to attain his dream of being a hero, he embarks on a fitness regime that he adheres to with tenacity that leaves him "faster than a rolling ball, stronger than the toughest rawhide, able to leap tall fences in a single bound!" Buffed and beautiful his look is complete with the arrival of his red suit with the shiny green cape. The crusading Dex, exuding confidence, springs into action at the first sign of trouble and helps small dogs cross the street, pulls a rat from a live wire, and finds a lost kitten. Still he cannot shake the taunting of Cleevis and his rowdy friends until the night when a call of alarm goes out...Cleevis is stuck in a tree! Ever the super hero Dex proves that the little guy can come out on top in this droll little story that never lets the message get in the way. Bold illustrations that capture his humiliation and triumphs are filled with hidden cats, rabbits and even a Tyrannosaurus Rex. You cannot help but cheer for this little underdog with the great big heart. 2004, HarperCollins, $15.99. Ages 4 to 8.

Jamaica Johnson Conner (Children's Literature)
Heroism comes in many forms. Firefighters, police officers, soldiers, and emergency medical technicians reign as heroes in today’s society. Dexter the dog is an unlikely hero. Dex dreams of becoming a super hero like the great comic book heroes he knows. Unlike others who dream of heroism, Dex decides to bring his dreams to fruition by engaging in physical and mental training. He studies in the library; he exercises every day. Because of his small stature, Dex is underestimated by those who end up needing him the most. Even when Cleevis the Cat mocks him and interferes with his training, Dex perseveres. Finally adequately equipped with muscles and a costume worthy of a hero, Dex saves those in need. The comic book style of artwork mixes well with the storyline, which highlights the importance of perseverance, hard work, forgiveness, and courage. In the spirit of Where’s Waldo? Buehner hides pictures of cats, rabbits, and Tyrannosaurus rexes throughout the illustrations. Though suitable for children reading on their own at the fourth grade level, younger children will enjoy the playful pictures and charming adventures of the protagonist, Dex the Super Dog, too. 2004, HarperTrophy/HarperCollins Publishers,, $6.99. Ages 8 to 12.

CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices, 2005)
Dexter decides to shed his underdog status by training to become a superhero. How hard could it be? The determined dachshund reads the appropriate comic books, watches hero movies, and exercises. All that effort pays off in the form of muscle, and with the arrival of a mail order hero suit (cloak included), Dex becomes … SUPERDOG! And he’s off, escorting puppies across busy streets, finding lost kittens, and organizing a neighborhood cleanup day. His exploits peak when he mounts a daring rescue of Cleevis, his feline nemesis, as she dangles precariously from a tree branch. Of course, any of Dexter’s appropriately dog-sized deeds would have been possible without a hero suit and a buff physique, but that’s part of this earnest pup’s charm. Humorous illustrations show the cowed pre-hero Dexter morphing into a confident super dog. The longer story text is supplemented on many pages by a brief narrative, boxed in a different font, that tells Dexter’s tale as it might appear in one of his favorite comic strips (“The Mighty Dex pressed on, through wind and rain and storm and fatigue …”). CCBC categories: Picture Books for School-Aged Children. 2004, HarperCollins, 32 pages, $15.99 and $16.89. Ages 5-9.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, January 15, 2004 (Vol. 72, No. 2))
The Buehners convincingly suggest that heroes, super or otherwise, are self-made. Looking "like a plump sausage on four little meatballs," Dexter the dachshund is derided by all the other pooches and even the hulking tomcat Cleevis. Determined, however, to turn his dreams of becoming a superhero into reality, he undertakes a relentless program of study and exercise, orders a form-fitting, red-and-green hero suit, and proudly takes on the work of a Hero. That could be helping a puppy cross the street, tackling a purse-snatcher, putting out a trash-can fire, or organizing a neighborhood cleanup day. Flexing stubby but well-muscled arms, Dex cuts a distinctive figure in the illustrations as he grows into his role, striding with new self-confidence through his all-animal urban community, ever ready to help those in need. In the end, he even rescues Cleevis from a tree, picking up a sidekick as a result. Faster than a speeding bullet? More powerful than a locomotive? No-but this low-slung role model shows the inner stuff, both to transform himself, and to rise to the challenges that come his way. 2004, HarperCollins, 32p, $15.99. Category: Picture book. Ages 7 to 9. © 2004 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Julie Stephens (Library Media Connection, October 2004)
Dexter, the dog, is a hero "wanna-be." However, Dexter is rather on the scrawny side and is the victim of much teasing and ridicule, especially from Cleevis, the tomcat. After a little research and much exercising, the muscles finally appear. Finally, he is ready for the finishing touch-a red hero suit with a shiny green cape. At last, Dexter has the self-confidence, the physique, and the uniform to make his dream come true. Now Dexter, "the Superdog" spends his days rescuing lost kittens and saving mice from danger. Dexter's biggest challenge comes on the night that Cleevis is found trapped at the top of a tall tree. The illustrations are hilarious and will keep readers entertained page after page. Though the plot is rather predictable, children will enjoy watching Dexter evolve from a tiny tot to SUPERDOG! Recommended. 2004, HarperCollins, 32pp., $15.95 hc. Ages 7 to 10.

Timnah Card (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, March 2004 (Vol. 57, No. 7))
Lost your wallet? Neighborhood a mess? Cat up a tree? Call Dexter, the "little dog [with] the heart of a hero," an aspiring super-Dachshund resplendent in emerald cape and red spandex suit. Though Dex trains for action by building up his muscles, it is his service-seeking heart that makes him a hero and wins him the respect of his peers. Witty text and lively illustrations in Mark Buehner’s trademark puffy style transform the standard comic-book plot into a satisfyingly humanized (caninized?) tale of the self-realization of the dog next door. With bonus animal shapes hidden throughout to delight the young viewers, this lighthearted take on the hero’s quest sweeps a caped canine bow to each child’s desire for empowerment and respect. (Reviewed from galleys) Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2004, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2004, HarperCollins, 32p, $16.89 and $15.99. Ages 3-6 yrs.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Fall 2004)
When cat Cleevis teases him unmercifully, Dexter, a tiny dachshund, trains to be a superhero. Despite Dex’s new rippling muscles and superdog outfit, Cleevis still laughs—until he gets stuck in a tree and must call on Dex for help. Only the hardest heart wouldn't cheer on Dex, and the humorous art capably depicts his determination. Category: Picture Books. 2004, HarperCollins, 32pp, $15.99, $16.89. Ages 4 to 9. Rating: 3: Recommended, satisfactory in style, content, and/or illustration.