Gone to the Dogs!

It seems that life got a bit busy and my blog has gone to the dogs! I am trying to get back on track with sharing the great Royal Reads I have enjoyed, and to embrace the "gone to the dogs" theme, share some fun doogie-themed reads!


Today's Royal Read # 1: Poor Puppy by Nick Bruel

In this alphabet book, Nick Bruel returns with a playmate for Bad Kitty, but Kitty doesn't want to play. Poor puppy! Puppy wears himself out finding things to play with and after a nice nap, wakes up to find Kitty, who looks like he is ready to play! Or is he?

Nick Bruel has again created an enjoyable and playful read, intertwining counting and alliteration with the alphabet. The illustrations showcase the text, bringing to life Puppy and Kitty and offering extra insight into their relationship.

KEYWORDS: alphabet, counting, alliteration, pets, friendship

Today's Royal Read # 2: Move Over Rover by Karen Beaumont

illustrated by Jane Dyer

"Rover's in the doghouse..." all alone enjoying his bone on a nice day when suddenly the weather changes, bringing in an unexpected thunderstorm and some unexpected house guests. One by one, other animals show up looking for a place to get out of the storm. As the doghouse becomes more and more crowded, the last animal to show up causes everyone else to scatter into the storm!

Filled with rhyme and repetition, this cumulative tale is great for reading aloud. The repeated refrain of "Move over, Rover!" is one that invites audience participation. The storyline is reminiscent of the folktale The Mitten, beautifully illustrated by Jan Brett, in which one animal after another snuggles into a child's lost mitten to stay warm during the winter.

The Mitten and Move Over, Rover! would be great companion books for sharing and comparing.

KEYWORDS: rhyming, weather, animals, cumulative tales

Today's Royal Read #3: Dogku by Andrew Clements

illustrated by Tim Bowers

Through the use of haiku, Andrew Clements explores how a wandering, homeless dog becomes the newest addition to a family. Through haiku, the dog narrates his adventure in being accepted into this family, and while mom and the kids are eager to keep him, dad is not so sure. Has "Mooch" found his home or will he have to say goodbye?

In the author's note at the back, Clements explains that choosing haiku to tell this story helped him to "pick the perfect words and arrange them just right." He also explains that he choose the picture book format for this story for the same reason he chose haiku: "a picture book is a small container - not many pages, not many words. Adorable dog + haiku = Dogku. Simple."

The illustrations created by Tim Bowers are fantastic works of art, depicting "Mooch" with all the personality he has and providing a visual backdrop for the words of Clements' haiku story.

Clements and Bowers
have created a story
that makes me smile.

KEYWORDS: poetry, haiku, pets, dogs

ONLINE CONNECTIONS

Links to author Nick Bruel:
http://www.teachingbooks.net/pronounce.cgi?name=Bruel%2C%20Nick
http://www.nickbruel.com/

Links to author Andrew Clements:
http://www.andrewclements.com/

How Much is That Doggie in the Window?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-zXsqrA-9s