This is a Dog
Get ready for a “my first animal” book with a twist. From cover to cover, a dog ensures he is the star of this book by putting himself front and center. With crayon in paw, dog takes control of the story and uses some creative editing to turn the spotlight his way. The personalities of the other animals featured in the book shine through in their comical reactions. When the others have had enough of dog’s antics, dog must use his clever editing to solve the problem and make an escape.
Pennsylvania Center for the Book Awards
Book Activities & Discussion Ideas
Begin sharing this very fun book by asking children to tell what’s happening on the cover of the book, and wonder together if that dog will be up to more mischief as the book goes on. Will he write other words in the book? Adults may want to briefly mention (if children don’t do it first) that usually we shouldn’t write in storybooks. But in the case of this story, the dog doesn’t know about that. He’s just having fun—as you can tell by his face. This book is a perfect vehicle for helping children focus their attention to print as well as to the story that is told by the pictures. While reading the book, point to the printed words as well as to the ones written in crayon by the dog. Children may even be motivated to try reading along since the print is large with only a few words per page. On pages without any print, ask children to describe what the dog is doing as well as how the other animals feel about the dog’s antics. Be certain to read the back cover when you finish the story; and ask children which sentence they think best describes the story—the sentence written by the author, or the one written by the dog?
The book is perfect for teaching young children to take turns and practice beginning reading, all in an enjoyable way. Begin with the adult reading the words, while the child describes the pictures. Then take turns. On the first reading of the book, beginning with its cover, the adult can read the print while pointing to the words. Then the child is invited to tell what is happening in the pictures, including the times when the dog crosses out and rewrites the words. Prompt the child to take note of the emotions expressed by the other animals as well as the dog. After reading and enjoying the story together, ask the child if she or he would like to take turns and be the reader while the adult gets a turn to describe what is happening in the pictures. This activity might lead to discussion of how adults can support reluctant readers in their efforts to read, and encourage and praise children’s attempts and successes.