“Maya and Waggers: I Have to Scoop What?” by W.T. Kosmos

• 11/16/2023
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Maya and Waggers: I Have to Scoop What?

W. T. Kosmos
Wise Wit Press, LLC (2023)
ISBN: 979-8988315131
Reviewed by Rachel Dehning for Reader Views (11/2023)

Much like having kids versus not having kids, those with pets understand how it’s different for those who don’t. There are pros and cons to having a pet – the pros include the love, loyalty, and companionship they unknowingly provide, and the cons might include the responsibility related to feeding and caring for it consistently, especially for dogs versus cats and other animals. Maya is experiencing both sides of having a pet; her dog Waggers brings the type of excitement for the family that accompanies newness along with the uncertainty of doing new and strange things, such as ensuring a clean environment after using the bathroom.

In the first book of the “Maya and Waggers” series, “I Have to Scoop What?” by W.T. Kosmos, Maya learns to be an overcomer toward personal fears, societal prejudices, and advanced feelings that place others on a higher level than herself. Maya lives on Puddin’ Head Island, a large island whose residents are rivals with the Sweeties on Sweetie Island. Ironically, Maya, being a Puddin’ Head, is best friends with Lily, a Sweetie. Dogs as pets have never been a thing on either island, but when they come to Puddin’ Island first, Maya and her family adopt Waggers as a new family member. Maya, Lily, and Waggers stay a week at Maya’s uncle’s home. Being a die-hard Puddin’ “keeping up with the Joneses” type who doesn’t care for pets, the week is anything but boring as the girls meet the eccentric neighbors and work on fixing a crucial problem to ensure Waggers stays. Maya matures and grows as much as Waggers as she learns about cleaning up after herself and Waggers when #2 happens.

“Maya and Waggers: I Have to Scoop What?” is a cute story geared toward young readers (ages 8-12), with its understandable and relatable text and content matter (poop). The length is under one hundred pages, making it a quick and enjoyable read with laugh-out-loud moments not often found in adult genres. The story’s theme is consistent throughout; however, some readers may find the continuous topic of poop to be a tad overwhelming. The characters in this first book are curious and relevant, grabbing the reader’s attention and encouraging them to continue following the antics of Maya and Waggers throughout many more books.