I'm my own dog

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I'm my own dog

Title:

I'm my own dog

Alternate title:

I am my own dog

Author:

Stein, David Ezra, author, illustrator.

Summary:

A dog without a human companion fetches his own slippers and curls up at his own feet but cannot reach a certain itchy spot in the middle of his back, compelling him to leash a poor lonely human who will loyally offer a helpful scratch.

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 26 cm

Genre:

Picture books.

Subject Term:

Dogs -- Juvenile fiction.

Human-animal relationships -- Juvenile fiction.

Publisher:

Candlewick Press,

Publication Date:

2014

ISBN:

9780763661397

Publication Information:

Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2014.

Call Number:

P STEIN

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003096495	Picture Books	STEIN	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

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Summary

Caldecott Honor winner David Ezra Stein has fans at his command with this comical dog's-eye view of having a best friend.

Many dogs have human owners. Not this dog. He fetches his own slippers, curls up at his own feet, and gives himself a good scratch. But there is one spot, in the middle of his back, that he just can't reach. So one day, he lets a human scratch it. And the poor little fella follows him home. What can the dog do but get a leash to lead the guy around with? Dog lovers of all ages will revel in the humorous role-reversal as this dog teaches his human all the skills he needs to be a faithful companion.

Author Notes

David Ezra Stein is the creator of many award-winning picture books, including Interrupting Chicken, which was awarded a Caldecott Honor, Because Amelia Smiled, and Dinosaur Kisses. He lives with his family in Kew Gardens, New York.

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 2-The typical pet picture book is turned on its ear in this witty and charming story. This independent pooch proudly takes care of himself: "I curl up at my own feet. Sometimes, if I'm not comfortable, I tell myself to roll over." He scoffs at the pets who follow commands and demonstrates how he throws and fetches his own stick, "it's fun." His life is pretty perfect...except for the itch on his back that he just can't reach. When a friendly person scratches the itch for him, then follows him home, the little canine can't help but adopt him. Young readers will get a kick out of the reversed human-pet roles, which are cheerfully and animatedly illustrated in pen and "hacked" kids' marker and colored with watercolor and crayon. The cartoonlike drawings perfectly illuminate the life and attitudes of this canine character, from his contented chewing on a slipper to his joyful, bowlegged run during a game of fetch. Minimal text makes this a great read-aloud for listeners with short attention spans, while the humor will tickle older kids and grown-ups.-Marian McLeod, Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich, CT (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publisher's Weekly Review

The cheery, two-fanged grin of Stein's bulldog testifies to his supreme confidence: "Nobody owns me. I own myself." In the first half of the book, Stein (Dinosaur Kisses) develops the idea of canine freedom as the bulldog relaxes alone on his rug, a well-chewed slipper beside him: "Sometimes, if I'm not comfortable, I tell myself to roll over. And I do." But when the bulldog finds a human who's willing to scratch the one place on his back he can't reach, he finds himself strangely affected: "The little guy followed me home. I felt sorry for him." Soon the bulldog and human come to an accommodation. "Between you and me," the bulldog confides, "I'm his best friend." As final, quiet proof of devotion, Stein draws the man with his arm around the bulldog, his tie loosened, his eyes closed contentedly, happy to wear the chewed-up slippers. Stein's role reversal is deliciously fun, and what makes it sing is the bulldog's confiding tone, and the way Stein telegraphs a range of emotions-exasperation, resignation, and pure joy-with a few bold lines. Ages 4-8. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.