Ben and the scaredy-dog

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Title:

Ben and the scaredy-dog

Author:

Ellis, Sarah, 1952- author.

LaFave, Kim, illustrator.

Summary:

New neighbors are moving in across the street, and Ben can't wait to go say hello and make friends. That is, until he notices that this family has a pet dog. Ben isn't so sure around dogs. The big jaws and big teeth make him nervous. But what Ben doesn't realize is that Max is an "old scaredy-dog" who feels nervous too. Can Ben overcome his fear and come to see eye-to-eye with a new kind of friend?

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 27 cm

Genre:

Picture books.

Subject Term:

Dogs -- Juvenile fiction.

Neighbors -- Juvenile fiction.

Fear -- Juvenile fiction.

Friendship -- Juvenile fiction.

Boys -- Juvenile fiction.

Author(s):

LaFave, Kim,

Publisher:

Pajama Press,

Publication Date:

2018

ISBN:

9781772780444

Publication Information:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada : Pajama Press, 2018.

Call Number:

P ELLIS

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003331678	Picture Books	ELLIS	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

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Summary

Ben is afraid of dogs, even his new neighbor's old scaredy-dog, Max. Can big, brave Ben overcome his fear and make a new kind of friend?

Ben was upset when his friend Peter moved away, but now the new neighbors are moving in across the street and Ben can't wait to go say hello and make friends. That is, until he notices that this family has a pet dog; and unlike his sister and brother, Ben isn't so sure around dogs. The big jaws and big teeth make him nervous. But what Ben doesn't realize is that Max is an "old scaredy-dog" who feels nervous too. Can Ben overcome his fear and come to see eye-to-eye with a new kind of friend?

The award-winning team that produced A+ for Big Ben and Ben Says Goodbye have come together once again in Ben and the Scaredy-Dog , a heart-warming story about a thoughtful yet anxious boy who overcomes his fear of dogs. Sarah Ellis highlights the all-too-common childhood dread of canines as she once again explores the world through the eyes of Ben, a boy who wants to be brave but just can't help anticipating the worst when it comes to a new experience. Kim La Fave perfectly captures his characters' thoughts and intentions through spot-on expressions and body language, as he contrasts Ben's drawings of the creature he sees in his mind's eye with the reality of the big and cuddly dog next door, who just happens to have his own fear issues.

The result is a gently funny book that explores the courageous heart that can be found within an anxious child.

Reviews (1)

School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 1-Ben watches through his window as a new family moves in across the street and can hardly believe his luck when he sees a kid his age. "Maybe a friend?" he thinks, but this notion vanishes when he notices that the kid has a dog: "A big dog. Big jaws. Big teeth." Ben and Erv (short for Minerva) do become friends, but Ben is nervous when he is invited over to Erv's house, where the dog, Max, would be off a leash. When Ben learns that Max is uneasy about his new abode (and afraid of the shiny floors of the playroom), Ben nearly forgets about his fear, and in a triumphant turn of events, the scaredy-dog and dog-fearing boy become brave allies and buddies. Emphasized in thick, crayonlike outlines, the soft, cartoon illustrations add comfort and charm to this encouraging, gentle narrative about a common childhood fear. VERDICT This compassionate story may ease some anxiety in young children who are nervous or fearful around dogs. A warmhearted addition to Ellis and LaFave's books about Ben.-Brianne Colombo, Fairfield Free Public Library, NJ © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Excerpts

The new kid, named Erv, came to Ben's house the next day with her mom and her dog. The dog's name was Max. They all sat in Ben's backyard.Ben liked Erv right away. Erv was short for Minerva, like Ben was short for Benjamin. She could whistle, snap her fingers, blow a double bubble, and do a perfect cartwheel.Ben didn't like Max. Max left dog-slobber on Ben's hand, and he gave a big, loud bark when he spotted Ben's cat. But at least Erv kept him on a leash. Excerpted from Ben and the Scaredy-Dog by Sarah Ellis All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.