Perfect Picture Books: How To Be a Good Dog
Today, I’ve chosen How To Be A Good Dog for Perfect Picture Book Fridays.
How To Be A Good Dog
Written and Illustrated by Gail Page
Bloomsbury Publishing, Children’s Books, 2006
Suitable for: Ages 3 and up
Theme/Topic: Behavior, Manners, Consequences, Dogs, Cats
Opening: Bobo tried hard to be a good dog.
He loved to hear Mrs. Birdhead say,
“You’re a good dog,
Bobo. Come, let’s get you a treat.”
Brief Synopsis: Cat helps Bobo, the dog, show Mrs. Birdhead how good he is.
Link to Resources: This book is a great way to talk about behavior and consequences with children. I mean everyone wants to be a good dog, er, boy or girl.
Your children can pretend to be Cat and read a book on on manners like Cookies: Bite Size Life Lessons (aged 5 to 8) from the Perfect Picture Book Fridays list. There are several titles under the consequences section too.
Teacher planet has some lesson plans on manners including items like a mealtime map.
Gail Page has a colorful website filled with examples of her illustrations. Plus, you can buy a greeting card with her illustrations on her site. Bobo is featured in another book adventure called Bobo and the New Neighbor. There is also a How To Be a Good Cat book.
Why I chose this book: Cousin Rosa gave Enzo this book as she purged some items from her bookshelf. Both the story and illustrations are fun, which make it an easy read in our house.
Bonus: I can hear the dog tails wagging every time we read the line, “You’re a good dog, Bobo. Come, let’s get you a treat.” I hear nothing when we go over the doggie commands like sit, heel and stay. Sigh.
To find more picture books and resources, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and look for the Perfect Picture Books page.
This sounds like a wonderful book, Stacy. We all struggle with being a good dog from time to time 🙂 And as you know, I love any book that has dogs in it, so I will have to find this one and read it. I love that you used PPBs as a resource 🙂
Susanna, Yes. We’re struggling with “good dog” issues today. I think the PPB is a perfect resource.
Cute!
Catherine, Yes it is.
This books looks so charming! Good pick, Stacy.
Thanks Karen.
I appreciate books where stereotypical enemies (cat/dog) have a mutually beneficial relationship. That’s one reason I loved “Tom’s Tweet” (cat/bird) so much, plus great rhyme. The cover dog is appealing, too. Good dog Bobo!
Cathy, I’ll have to check out Tom’s Tweet. The art is very appealing.
I would love to see how Cat helps Bobo, he looks so distressed on the cover! Thanks, Stacy.
Heather, It’s a fun resolution for all involved.
We do so all what to hear that ‘Good dog’ praise! I want to help Bobo myself. Sounds charming!
Joanna, Yes. Good Dog praise is great.
Sounds like another great Enzo book. We get a peek at some really good books you read to him! I liked the message a lot. Great pick this week!!
Pat, After last week’s find that was sort of unavailable, I was happy to see that this one is more readily available. Enzo likes this one.
What a cute book! Bobo looks like a good dig 🙂 I like it that the cat helps him!
Erik, Yes. Cat is a great helper in this one.
Wonderful! I always love an excuse to teach manners, and this sounds like a fun way to do. Thanks Stacy!
Kirsten, We’re still working on manners around here.
I’m such a sucker for dog books!
~Debbie
Me too Debbie.
I like books that talk about manners! So helpful. I haven’t heard of Bobo before, but will have to check him out. Thanks, Stacy!
Amy, I always find several new titles during PPB Fridays. It also gives me an opportunity to learn more about the books we have and enjoy.
awww loved the illustration on the cover, he looks so cute. Great choice Stacy, you pick such lovely books.
Thanks Diane.
Awww, how cute is this!
Very sweet story, Stacy. And I love all of the resources you listed!
This sounds like another book I need to bring with me when I visit my grandson next month. 🙂
It’s a cute one Vivian. I think your grandon will enjoy it.
Cute book and fun review! I will check this out — I think my son would really enjoy this. Thanks for sharing.
Margaret, My son does. We’re dog people so it’s always fun to see dogs.
Hi Stacy! So great to have been led to your site through the Perfect Picture Book Friday event hosted by Susanna. I am getting to know more people and seeing more fabulous websites and learning more picture books to be added to my TBR stack! This is surely one of them. It actually kind of reminded me of Mark Teague’s Dear Mrs. La Rue books. 🙂
Thanks for stopping Myra. I’ll have to check out that title.
Hi Stacy!
This looks like a sweet book. I love your activities. Thanks for adding it to the list. 🙂
Thanks Loni.
This book looks so precious! I gotta have it, Stacy! Dog books are the best! *waving*
Good dog books are the best. Robyn!
My students and teachers would love this book. I’m pretty sure we don’t have it in the library, so I’l have to look into a purchase. Thanks for this wonderful contribution to PPBF!
Kelly, I was pleased to see there are other Bobo and Cat books too.
Sounds great. I, too, love dog books!