The McNifficents by Amy Mckechnie

The McNifficents are a family of rambunctious kids corralled by a perceptive and conscientious Schnauzer.

The McNifficents by Amy Makechnie. Simon & Schuster, 2023, 310 pages.

Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 (ages 6-10 as a read-aloud)

Recommended for: ages 8-12

Lord Tennyson, a very distinguished schnauzer, has an important job: corralling the six rambunctious McNiff children while their mother keeps her show garden and their father pursues his theater career. Tenny is, in short, a nanny whose role model is Mary Poppins. But the McNiffs, ranging in age from 2 to 13, may be getting too much for a canine. After a disastrous beach afternoon, Lord Tennyson is chagrined to overhear snooty Mrs. Snoot loudly asking why the parents don’t get a real nanny. After the bed-wetting incident and the snake incident and especially the baby chick incident, Mr. and Mrs. McNiff start wondering the same. Dogs are known for loyalty, but how can Lord Tennyson prove to this family that their interests are his?

Hijinks about, but there’s a serious plot thread about the hostility between two sisters and Tenny’s efforts to make peace between them. Though his methods are unorthodox, he will eventually prove his worth and help establish family harmony. The story is told in third person with a mock-serious tone that’s not too precious or cloying, and the exaggerated personalities of secondary characters make for a fun read-aloud. (Tenny is the most level-headed character in the whole batch.)

Overall Rating: 4 (out of 5)

• Worldview/moral value: 3.75
• Artistic/literary value: 4.25

 Read more about our ratings here.

Also at Redeemed Reader:

• Reviews: The Eyes and the Impossible gets into a dog’s point of view about as well as any human can. The Fenway and Hattie series does it less successfully, but still fun.
• Reviews: For loveable large-family adventures, don’t miss the Vanderbeekers series.

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