What do you think?
Rate this book
Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts
Sensitive Bash gets grumpy and disruptive when his life is too bright, too loud, too smelly, or too busy. He counts on his dog, Lucy, to help keep him calm. But Lucy has become a local superstar because she's a soccer coach who barks, wags and kisses Bash's team to victory. Now, all the kids want Lucy to coach their teams, especially Paula, Bash's girl-power cousin. Paula says her soccer team has the right to take Lucy away from Bash because girls deserve the very best canine coaches under Title IX. How can Bash show he respects the girls' rights while keeping dear Lucy by his side? This chapter book features dream beasts designed by Michael Cohn, age 9.
***
Award-winning mom-son authors Lisa and Michael Cohn have appeared on the Today Show, AM Northwest, and SiriusXM Radio, and in Disney's Babble, as well as other media.
***
Award-winning mom-son authors Lisa and Michael Cohn have appeared on the Today Show, AM Northwest, and SiriusXM Radio, and in Disney's Babble, as well as other media.
Audio CD
Published September 1, 2018
1 person is currently reading
1107 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Cohn
11 books301 followersLisa Cohn and her 14-year-old, Michael, have appeared on the Today Show, SiriusXM Radio, in Disney's Babble.com, in The Oregonian and other media outlets. They were featured in Voice of America for their third book, "Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts." The article focused on the character of Vera, an immigrant grandma from Ukraine based on Michael's surrogate grandma.
Watch Michael dedicate the book to Vera:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46LyE...
Watch the first "Bash and Lucy" book trailer:
https://youtu.be/pEfY1wKpqYI
The first two "Bash and Lucy" books received Mom's Choice Silver Awards. Lisa’s other books have won awards from Parenting Publications of America, Voice of Youth Advocates and ForeWord Book of the Year.
Lisa Cohn is an award-winning author and writer. Michael Cohn is chief of the Roving Reader Leaders and a voice-over artist in the Bash and Lucy audiobooks. Michael created the cover design concept for Bash and Lucy Say, "Love, Love, Bark" and the monster illustrations in "Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts."
Watch Michael dedicate the book to Vera:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46LyE...
Watch the first "Bash and Lucy" book trailer:
https://youtu.be/pEfY1wKpqYI
The first two "Bash and Lucy" books received Mom's Choice Silver Awards. Lisa’s other books have won awards from Parenting Publications of America, Voice of Youth Advocates and ForeWord Book of the Year.
Lisa Cohn is an award-winning author and writer. Michael Cohn is chief of the Roving Reader Leaders and a voice-over artist in the Bash and Lucy audiobooks. Michael created the cover design concept for Bash and Lucy Say, "Love, Love, Bark" and the monster illustrations in "Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Read
July 12, 2018So, I feel like this book tried to do a lot of things and only managed some of them. I liked that Bash is shown to have some sensory issues—sensitivity to smell, noises, etc when he is anxious. I don't know if this is just anxiety issues or that he is on the autism spectrum. It isn't clarified, but I appreciate that this is included and a boy is allowed to express his emotions.
I also like that people around him try to help him by providing treats that are always some version of gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, high-protein, etc. I suppose this could be shaming to a mom who tosses her kid an Oreo, but I felt it was meant to be seen as normalizing for kids who need dietary accommodations.
I liked that the cast is diverse, with the two coaches being a Ukrainian immigrant and a black man. Plus several side characters are non-white. Not to mention his multi-talented sister is a powerful female in authority.
And I liked that the book tries to explain title IX issues and that Bash went to the library trying to research and solve his problems. He's not helpless.
But despite all this, the representation of title IX as providing equality for girls in sports by taking away from boys is HORRIBLE and far from helpful. I understand that's probably not how the author intended it to read, but I couldn't really find a way to read it any other way. That's exactly what they were trying to do. Similarly, I never could figure out what or who exactly the girls were supposed to be protesting and Bash's confusion over his cousin's interest in Girl Power felt disparaging. Plus, a child adopted a dog with no parental oversight.
All in all, I think this is a book that tried to do something good and didn't have enough outside advice to see that they were failing. I won't rate it, but I finished it with a cringe.
I also like that people around him try to help him by providing treats that are always some version of gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, high-protein, etc. I suppose this could be shaming to a mom who tosses her kid an Oreo, but I felt it was meant to be seen as normalizing for kids who need dietary accommodations.
I liked that the cast is diverse, with the two coaches being a Ukrainian immigrant and a black man. Plus several side characters are non-white. Not to mention his multi-talented sister is a powerful female in authority.
And I liked that the book tries to explain title IX issues and that Bash went to the library trying to research and solve his problems. He's not helpless.
But despite all this, the representation of title IX as providing equality for girls in sports by taking away from boys is HORRIBLE and far from helpful. I understand that's probably not how the author intended it to read, but I couldn't really find a way to read it any other way. That's exactly what they were trying to do. Similarly, I never could figure out what or who exactly the girls were supposed to be protesting and Bash's confusion over his cousin's interest in Girl Power felt disparaging. Plus, a child adopted a dog with no parental oversight.
All in all, I think this is a book that tried to do something good and didn't have enough outside advice to see that they were failing. I won't rate it, but I finished it with a cringe.
June 9, 2018
When Bash is anxious he feels “hungry, grumpy, disruptive, or prone to tantrums”, and he conjures up the dream beasts, the monsters that chase people who didn’t like dogs. But with his dog and best friend Lucy by his side, Bash feels “full, happy, cooperative, and calm.” He loves playing soccer, and Lucy is his team’s coach. The finals are approaching, but Bash’s cousin Paula wants to take Lucy away to coach her team. And it appears that Title IX gives them that right! Bash’s resulting anxiety brings the dream beasts out in full force. What will Bash do?
The lovely watercolor illustrations by Heather Nichols bring Bash and Lucy to life. Bash speaks in cute dog riddles, which must be interpreted by his friend Adam. This book does a good job of describing Bash’s sensory sensitivities, but I don’t recall them being mentioned in the previous books. The author also conveys some of the emotional benefits of having a dog. I liked how Bash solves the problem of the dream beasts. However, the dream beasts should be described as chasing those who need - or would benefit from having - a dog, not those who don’t like dogs. In addition, while it’s great to empower women and make Bash’s sister Ally the town mayor, librarian, and founder of the dance troupe, it’s unrealistic that she appears to be everywhere at once. I also don’t follow the logic of Title IX giving Paula the right to take Lucy away from Bash to coach her team. “Title IX is a law that requires that men and women have equal opportunities in sports, including equal access to the best coaches.” Surely, then, the boys are just as entitled to retain Lucy as their coach, if not more so, since Bash is Lucy’s rightful owner. This book takes “girl power” too far and makes the girls into bullies.
There are a few mixed messages here. The book would probably work better if it focused well on just one idea, instead of struggling with four.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: http://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com...
The lovely watercolor illustrations by Heather Nichols bring Bash and Lucy to life. Bash speaks in cute dog riddles, which must be interpreted by his friend Adam. This book does a good job of describing Bash’s sensory sensitivities, but I don’t recall them being mentioned in the previous books. The author also conveys some of the emotional benefits of having a dog. I liked how Bash solves the problem of the dream beasts. However, the dream beasts should be described as chasing those who need - or would benefit from having - a dog, not those who don’t like dogs. In addition, while it’s great to empower women and make Bash’s sister Ally the town mayor, librarian, and founder of the dance troupe, it’s unrealistic that she appears to be everywhere at once. I also don’t follow the logic of Title IX giving Paula the right to take Lucy away from Bash to coach her team. “Title IX is a law that requires that men and women have equal opportunities in sports, including equal access to the best coaches.” Surely, then, the boys are just as entitled to retain Lucy as their coach, if not more so, since Bash is Lucy’s rightful owner. This book takes “girl power” too far and makes the girls into bullies.
There are a few mixed messages here. The book would probably work better if it focused well on just one idea, instead of struggling with four.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: http://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com...
July 21, 2018
As some others, I was torn about how to rate this book. From the authors/illustrator aspect, I want to whole heartedly give this 4 stars. I will go as high as 3 stars after reading the entire book and giving it some consideration. Ally was a saving grace for me.
The topic is controversial and timely. It is a battle that has been fought for decades.
To be honest, I would have liked to see teams with both male and female players.
Having Lucy TAKEN by a girls team just because she is the best is NOT equality. That is bullying and wrongful justification. Sharing Lucy's talents would have been a better choice. In the end, it helps that Lucy gets that option, in a way. (Not to spoil what happens.)
I had not planned on writing a politically oriented review but I see how strongly readers are reacting.
This book is supposed to be fun with a lesson. Perhaps the authors were too ambitious in their attempts.
Bash is shown in a positive light as having special personality traits. Because everyone around him tries to feed him to calm him, and he finishes the words for them, shows this is a tactic they have used many times.
I also appreciate that Bash has friends, and a good relationship with his family.
I wish the pet adoption part of the book said more about a dog being part of a family and not just a solution to one problem. Personally, having had dogs in my house for many years, we are more likely to end up wearing MISmatched socks after adopting a dog, but being happier about it.
I give the book praise for effort but only OK for results. I understand one author is a child, but the role of supporting adults is to help create a more acceptable end result. I think in that respect, it needs more attention.
The topic is controversial and timely. It is a battle that has been fought for decades.
To be honest, I would have liked to see teams with both male and female players.
Having Lucy TAKEN by a girls team just because she is the best is NOT equality. That is bullying and wrongful justification. Sharing Lucy's talents would have been a better choice. In the end, it helps that Lucy gets that option, in a way. (Not to spoil what happens.)
I had not planned on writing a politically oriented review but I see how strongly readers are reacting.
This book is supposed to be fun with a lesson. Perhaps the authors were too ambitious in their attempts.
Bash is shown in a positive light as having special personality traits. Because everyone around him tries to feed him to calm him, and he finishes the words for them, shows this is a tactic they have used many times.
I also appreciate that Bash has friends, and a good relationship with his family.
I wish the pet adoption part of the book said more about a dog being part of a family and not just a solution to one problem. Personally, having had dogs in my house for many years, we are more likely to end up wearing MISmatched socks after adopting a dog, but being happier about it.
I give the book praise for effort but only OK for results. I understand one author is a child, but the role of supporting adults is to help create a more acceptable end result. I think in that respect, it needs more attention.
September 3, 2018
Thank you for my free copy through GoodReads!
Aww man, I was so excited about this book! I love the mother-son collaboration in the making of this book. And I love Bash and Lucy! The idea of a protagonist with sensory sensitivities who has good, healthy relationships with friends is awesome! I think the character is relatable and loveable.
However! (A big however...) I did not like the Title IX angle of the book. It left me feeling underwhelmed and (to be quite blunt) angry. To have someone--two family members, no less--TAKE a therapy dog (because that is what Lucy is, right? Whether she's given the official title or not, Lucy is Bash's therapy dog), is cruel and yes, as other reviewers have said, bully -ish.
I did not feel all that good reading this book with my son....any other Bash and Lucy book?--yes, please!!!! Just minus the Title IX, please...
Aww man, I was so excited about this book! I love the mother-son collaboration in the making of this book. And I love Bash and Lucy! The idea of a protagonist with sensory sensitivities who has good, healthy relationships with friends is awesome! I think the character is relatable and loveable.
However! (A big however...) I did not like the Title IX angle of the book. It left me feeling underwhelmed and (to be quite blunt) angry. To have someone--two family members, no less--TAKE a therapy dog (because that is what Lucy is, right? Whether she's given the official title or not, Lucy is Bash's therapy dog), is cruel and yes, as other reviewers have said, bully -ish.
I did not feel all that good reading this book with my son....any other Bash and Lucy book?--yes, please!!!! Just minus the Title IX, please...
August 8, 2018
I decided to read this first before handing it over to my 8 year old son to read. I'm glad that I did. This children's book has huge problems and I would never encourage my son to read it.
On the surface its a cute story with colorful illustrations about a sensitive little boy and his dog, Lucy. The dog helps coach his soccer team and the opposing girls team wants the dog to coach them. As a mother of young boys I assumed, before reading this, the kids would maybe learn about considering others feelings, learning to share, team work perhaps. There was none of that. It was the exact opposite.
Major Problem: Title IX
Bash's cousin Paula plays for the opposing team that wants to take his dog. She is described as being all about "girl power". At practice the girls team shout at him and hold signs that say "Title IX Gives Girls Equal Access To The Womanly Wonders Of Coach Lucy!" "Female Players Know How To Nurture Coach Lucy's Special Talents! Hand Her Over!" To make matters worse, their grandma, Vera, is the girl's coach and is supporting them bullying Bash. That's what that is, bullying. They are literally disrupting a children's soccer practice and stealing a little boys dog so they can have the advantage of the lovable dog coach. Grandma Vera also encourages Bash to give the dog to the girls because "we must do whats right".
So Bash goes to the library to find out about Title IX. The librarian is his sister and she tells him "Title IX is a law that requires that men and women have equal opportunities in sports, including equal access to the best coaches". EQUAL ACCESS. That doesn't mean that girls get to take what they want from boys. But that's what this children's book is saying. They could share the dog coach. They could take turns with the dog. Or Bash could keep his dog, you know, because it is his dog. But no, we are not learning about sharing or not taking what doesn't belong to you. We are learning about how to use Women's Rights to get whatever you want. So, the boys team goes and gets another dog. A new dog that isn't trained for coaching and is not even close to being what Lucy was for them. Is that equality when girls gang up and take a beloved dog from a sensitive little boy, and then that boy has to get a different dog that's not as well trained? Is that what we are teaching the kids theses days?
In the end the girl find another dog that she wants, and adopts it without parental permission. After the girls move on to the new dog Bash gets his dog back. Equality. Girls have a right to take what is yours until they find something else they want. No apologies.
No, just no.
Minor Problems: Grandma Vera
Grandma totally disregards her grandsons sensitivity and sensory issues and joins the girls in bullying him.
Grandma is an Ukrainian immigrant, the girl's coach, and assistant mayor. Throughout the book she mentions a few times that in her country they did things were better or different. She does it so much that Bash even asked her to give one of her In My Country Speeches at the end. As she is the assistant mayor wouldn't America be her country? Don't get me wrong, we should never forget our heritage or pretend like its not a huge part of us. Sharing those different cultures is what makes America so awesome. We have come together from everywhere on the planet. And I do like that their Ukrainian heritage was a part of the story. The girls team even wears Ukrainian colors and flowers. What I don't like is that grandma seemed to use In My Country like a put down on America. "In my country, daughters, mothers, grandmas, we all stick together!" We do that in America too. Pretty sure that's a worldwide thing actually. For me "in my country" was irritating.
What I also found problematic about grandma was how her dialogue was written.
"In my country, not enough money to buy pets fancy foods and get their hairs fixed in beauty place," she said. "Your pets very lucky. And you lucky to have them. You must love them."
Here is my problem with that. This books is for younger kids that are still learning to read and write the English language. Part of how they learn is through regularly reading. Including the incorrect use of the English language in children's books is a hindrance to their education.
On the positive side I did enjoy the colorful illustrations.
On the surface its a cute story with colorful illustrations about a sensitive little boy and his dog, Lucy. The dog helps coach his soccer team and the opposing girls team wants the dog to coach them. As a mother of young boys I assumed, before reading this, the kids would maybe learn about considering others feelings, learning to share, team work perhaps. There was none of that. It was the exact opposite.
Major Problem: Title IX
Bash's cousin Paula plays for the opposing team that wants to take his dog. She is described as being all about "girl power". At practice the girls team shout at him and hold signs that say "Title IX Gives Girls Equal Access To The Womanly Wonders Of Coach Lucy!" "Female Players Know How To Nurture Coach Lucy's Special Talents! Hand Her Over!" To make matters worse, their grandma, Vera, is the girl's coach and is supporting them bullying Bash. That's what that is, bullying. They are literally disrupting a children's soccer practice and stealing a little boys dog so they can have the advantage of the lovable dog coach. Grandma Vera also encourages Bash to give the dog to the girls because "we must do whats right".
So Bash goes to the library to find out about Title IX. The librarian is his sister and she tells him "Title IX is a law that requires that men and women have equal opportunities in sports, including equal access to the best coaches". EQUAL ACCESS. That doesn't mean that girls get to take what they want from boys. But that's what this children's book is saying. They could share the dog coach. They could take turns with the dog. Or Bash could keep his dog, you know, because it is his dog. But no, we are not learning about sharing or not taking what doesn't belong to you. We are learning about how to use Women's Rights to get whatever you want. So, the boys team goes and gets another dog. A new dog that isn't trained for coaching and is not even close to being what Lucy was for them. Is that equality when girls gang up and take a beloved dog from a sensitive little boy, and then that boy has to get a different dog that's not as well trained? Is that what we are teaching the kids theses days?
In the end the girl find another dog that she wants, and adopts it without parental permission. After the girls move on to the new dog Bash gets his dog back. Equality. Girls have a right to take what is yours until they find something else they want. No apologies.
No, just no.
Minor Problems: Grandma Vera
Grandma totally disregards her grandsons sensitivity and sensory issues and joins the girls in bullying him.
Grandma is an Ukrainian immigrant, the girl's coach, and assistant mayor. Throughout the book she mentions a few times that in her country they did things were better or different. She does it so much that Bash even asked her to give one of her In My Country Speeches at the end. As she is the assistant mayor wouldn't America be her country? Don't get me wrong, we should never forget our heritage or pretend like its not a huge part of us. Sharing those different cultures is what makes America so awesome. We have come together from everywhere on the planet. And I do like that their Ukrainian heritage was a part of the story. The girls team even wears Ukrainian colors and flowers. What I don't like is that grandma seemed to use In My Country like a put down on America. "In my country, daughters, mothers, grandmas, we all stick together!" We do that in America too. Pretty sure that's a worldwide thing actually. For me "in my country" was irritating.
What I also found problematic about grandma was how her dialogue was written.
"In my country, not enough money to buy pets fancy foods and get their hairs fixed in beauty place," she said. "Your pets very lucky. And you lucky to have them. You must love them."
Here is my problem with that. This books is for younger kids that are still learning to read and write the English language. Part of how they learn is through regularly reading. Including the incorrect use of the English language in children's books is a hindrance to their education.
On the positive side I did enjoy the colorful illustrations.
December 9, 2018
The only thing saving this review from one star is the use of multiple voices. I wanted to like this book. I wanted to be able to happily give it to my niece and nephew. I can't. I can't recommend it to anyone (well, maybe a lawyer). Other reviewers have said it more eloquently than I can, but this is not appropriate subject matter for children. This book only adds to the hostilities between the sexes. I will offer this: if Lisa Cohn was going to go there, she should've gone big. The cute-sy ending does disservice to the weighty subject matter. Bash is obviously a special needs child. As such, he should qualify for a service dog under the ADA. The ADA will usually trump Title IX. The author should've lawyer-balled it: Lucy becomes Bash's service dog, and Bash's attorney tells the girls to go lump it. Harsh, but, like I said, not appropriate subject matter for children. There are no winners in real-life issues like these. Let the young ones have a few more years of innocence. I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
July 22, 2018
I enjoyed the main characters being their own selves. I also liked how the characters were different even though they looked alike (Bash and his cousin Lucy.) The inclusion of Title IX into this story was well done. Readers will learn, if they already don't know, what Title IX is and they will learn how important it is to understand, so those who need its protection receive it, while those who use Title IX, not as it was 100% intended, are helped to see why it was created and how vital it is to protect it and respect it.
Based on a five-star rating, I give it five stars!
1) Buy from the author in the future? Yes
2) Did it keep me intrigued? Yes
3) Storyline adventurous, mysterious, and believable? Yes
4) Would I recommend to a family member/friend? Yes.
5) Did my idea of the book based on the cover remain the same after I read the book? Yes. The cover art relayed to me the tension/stand between two groups/individuals.
Based on a five-star rating, I give it five stars!
1) Buy from the author in the future? Yes
2) Did it keep me intrigued? Yes
3) Storyline adventurous, mysterious, and believable? Yes
4) Would I recommend to a family member/friend? Yes.
5) Did my idea of the book based on the cover remain the same after I read the book? Yes. The cover art relayed to me the tension/stand between two groups/individuals.
July 28, 2018
Really nice story with a message. It teaches different points of view aren't necessarily a bad thing. My daughter found it difficult only because there were too many characters for her to keep up with. All in all I enjoyed the story and the illustrations.
August 1, 2018
This is an easy first chapter book for those budding readers that are excited and interested in their first chapter book read. If they are sports fans or dog lovers they'll enjoy the short chapters and love the accomplishment of reading a big book. Most of the chapters are on the average 3-5 pages long. Bash and Lucy are fun books.
November 17, 2018
I won a copy of the audiobook from a Goodreads giveaway. My boys enjoyed listening to the story and I enjoyed the characters and issues that were mentioned.
December 11, 2018
I enjoyed the story about Bash and Lucy.
Having the authors family as part of
script is quite interesting. Please keep me posted on
any new audiobooks.
Thanks Nancy
Having the authors family as part of
script is quite interesting. Please keep me posted on
any new audiobooks.
Thanks Nancy
July 4, 2018
I personally feel that this would not be a good book for children because while everything does end well it was not a nice book. The idea that a young boy with some emotional sensitivity difficulties could have his companion dog taken away to help a girls team due to an equal opportunity law was both ludicrous and disgusting. I feel this could upset young children and send bad messages to them.
September 19, 2018
I have given this Bash and Lucy story to my daughter. She has read it to my granddaughter as part of their homeschooling curriculum. The best that can be said about children's fiction is when a child can't wait to read another book from the same series! My granddaughter really loved this story! Thanks so much Goodreads Giveaways for awarding me this great children's chapter book.
June 24, 2018
This is a cute book. Young readers will enjoy Lucy, the Golden Retriever. I know I sure did. She is awesome. That is why Bash and Paula both wanted her so bad. I understood Paula's reasons for wanting Lucy for her girl's team but I felt like there was a better way to go about sharing Lucy. Girl empowerment is very important but it seemed to be portrayed wrong in this book. Paula felt that she could use this reason as "entitlement" for Lucy with no thoughts about how this would make Bash feel.
For young readers, this is not the best example. While everything turned out right in the end; it still was not right. Adults will have to have discussions with their children on this book so that they understand at is right. As I said before through, this is a nice read that young readers will like.
For young readers, this is not the best example. While everything turned out right in the end; it still was not right. Adults will have to have discussions with their children on this book so that they understand at is right. As I said before through, this is a nice read that young readers will like.
February 19, 2019
Love, love love this book! So cute and entertaining! A must read for children! Thank you for making this sweet book!
March 28, 2019
my granddaughter loves this book.
April 1, 2019
A mixed bag for me. Parts of the book I liked a lot; other parts not so much. Illustrations were very good.
May 14, 2022
Excellent book!
Read
November 18, 2020Great book
My son and the son of lisa are friends and they asked us to review their book and i think it’s a great book for people of all ages the art is great and the story is great so i think it is worth the time to read
My son and the son of lisa are friends and they asked us to review their book and i think it’s a great book for people of all ages the art is great and the story is great so i think it is worth the time to read
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews