I’m My Own Dog
Gather round friends. It’s back!
Here’s my Perfect Picture Book Friday choice:
I’m My Own Dog
Written and Illustrated by David Ezra Stein
Candlewick Press, 2014
Suitable for: ages preschool-Grade 3
Themes: Independence, Friendship, Pet Ownership (or Human Ownership)
Opening Lines: I’m my own dog. Nobody owns me. I own myself.
Synopsis (from the jacket flap): No one owns me. I’m my own dog. I fetch my own slippers, curl up at my own feet, and give myself a good scratch. But there’s this one spot, in the middle of my back that I just can’t reach …. And one day, I let someone scratch it.
Link to Resources: Responsible Pet Owner Rules for Kids, PBS Kids has some tips on pet ownership. Role play with your children on what it’s like to be the family cat, dog, or bird.
Why I Like the Book: I first read about I’m My Own Dog in a parenting magazine. The title and cover art caught my attention first. As I read the description, a “role-reversal tale” I thought “wow that’s the line I use in my query.” I have a role reversal story on a different topic. Sigh. Of course, the sigh turned into laugher when I cracked open my copy and read it. This really is a fresh take on pet ownership. What is it like to be the dog in the relationship? The dog and his morning mirror routine is my favorite scene. The leash is a close second.
I had a summer filled with family, writing, and lots of other stuff. (How’s that for being descriptive “lots of other stuff.”)
I was able to meet a number of writing friends in person at the WOW Retreat in Georgia and have connected with many more writers online. I remain grateful for those connections and friendships. I’m looking forward to a PPBF season filled with lots of great books. I missed the PPBF recommendations and seeing chocolate, er, I mean Susanna Leonard Hill online.
I hope you had a wonderful summer. The weather folks have the audacity to predict a little snow for today. Not liking this!
Find more PPBF at Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.
P.S. With limited Internet access this weekend, I’ll likely be visiting and commenting on Monday. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Fall (or snow) is in the air!
I love the cover art! Sounds like a fun story!
Yes it’s fun and lovely art throughout.
Another dog book, yay! How fun and new does yours sound. Role-reversals are a great idea, I bet yours is great too.
I love your dog book selection. Both great examples of clever books.
This sounds like a great book and I really love the resources! so glad you came across this book and shared it with us. would love to hear about your summer.
Thanks Clar! Lots of adventures this summer! Now, we’re ready for fall. Not snow, but fall!
Such a fun book and so glad you added it to the list! Good luck on your role reversal story 🙂
Ah, we’ll see how my story goes, but for now, I can enjoy this one.
Love the role reversal in this story and I know kids will too. What a hoot. I am a fan of David Ezra Stein’s work. Like your resources for teaching responsible pet ownership.
I’m a fan of his work too.
I do believe I come to PPBF for the books and friends, not the chocolate, BUT….
This is a funny book – it was on display at my library yesterday and I chuckled the whole way through. Very clever!
Yes. Very clever. My public library didn’t have a copy yet when I learned about the book, so now the Stacy S. Jensen Library has a copy. 🙂
I like ‘I own myself.’ Gives a child a different take on life and how one can think of him/herself. I am self-ownership starting early :).
I’m all for self-ownership early, I mean.
Yes. Self-ownership early is a good thing.
I agree with Sue! I’ll read it because I like ALL his books though!
It’s a fun book Julie. The art and text are really fun.
LOVE this author and his newest treasure looks like it’s right up my alley. Thanks for a fun pick for our PPBF return! Adding it to my list ’cause, like Pat, I gravitate toward the responsibility to pets piece of it (along with Stein’s humor!).
Yes. It’s a good one. I hope everyone will enjoy it. Stein’s humor is awesome.
Stein really comes up with such clever ideas! I think I’ll love this role-reversal one too. I didn’t know about this book of his, so thanks for profiling it!
Yep. It’s an August release.
Clever! He looks such a sassy pup on the front!
Oh I like Sassy. Thats a good way to describe him too.
This sounds awesome! 😀 I love the cover. 🙂
The cover is very cute!
Yikes. So much for my dog role reversal story. At least for now. I will have to find this one, Stacy. 🙂
It’s a good dog story Wendy. We’ll have to begin a role reversal support group! Oh, wait that’s Carnivores by Aaron Reynolds. Doh!
I love the cover and the concept of this, Stacy! I will certainly have to read it! Thanks so much for sharing, and hope your weekend away was fun and the snow held off! 🙂
Thanks Susanna for beginning PPBF again. Snow did not hold off at all…
Oh my gosh! How perfect, Stacy! I love the whole concept – and yes, I know which role reversal story you are talking about – and yours is…GREAT! Thanks for sharing this clever tale – I’ll try to get a copy – looks like something Jeremy would LOVE. 🙂
I hope Jeremy likes it. It’s a fun book.
Love this concept! I am sure, Stacy yours is just as perfect! Loved the cover, this dog has ‘attitude.’ It’s so good to be in the swing of PPBF again if not for the books, for the friendships. (hugs)
This dog definitely has attitude from the cover to the end!Yes. Fun to be in the swing of PPBF (even though a trip has me commenting on Tuesday here).
We planning to add a dog to our family. I think this book would be a pretty funny introduction to pet ownership. Thanks Stacy!
It is Kirsten!
What an awesome book. Must read! Love that opening. And the cover. Your ‘other stuff’ description is funny. Haha. I’ll have to pick this book up. It sounds great. Hugs and loves.
I hope you enjoy it Robyn. Yes “other stuff” I’m a writer. 🙂