Small Dog's Big Life

by Irene Kelly

Letters tell the story of Owney, a stray dog who became mascot of the Albany, New York, post office in 1889 and traveled around the world, capturing the public's imagination and winning hearts wherever he went.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring story of a stray dog adopted by the post office of Albany, New York. Whom became a world traveler with the help of post offices and people from all around the world. A most enjoyable read for pet lovers.

[ConnieLettow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Owney (ca. 1887 – June 11, 1897), was a Border terrier adopted as the first unofficial postal mascot by the Albany, New York, post office about 1888. This epistolary tale - a story told entirely in letters and news articles is a really fun way to get to know the story of Owney and his world travels with the postal service. I found myself amazed that this story was ever allowed to happen in the first place. In some ways I wish I could be Owney, traveling when he wants, greeted as a hero where ever he goes and having a special commemorative tag made for me to commemorate each community I visited. I loved this book, but the format is a little long for the very young.

[Pam Jones-Nill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This history that I learned from this book was amazing. As a person who still sends letters via the post office, I found Owney's life and journeys touching. The authors note that Irene Kelly shared with readers was a bit shocking but it illustrated how misguided some people can be, even back in 1897.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagined facts fill the letters telling the true story of Owney, the US Post Office's famous mascot, a dog who loved the mail and riding the rails. The backmatter explains which parts of the story are true and which are imagined.

[David DuMond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is told in such a unique way that I will definitely be using it in a future lesson as a teacher.

[Logan Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personal Reaction:
I thought this was a fun, lighthearted read that was based on a true story about a curious dog who traveled the world thanks to the help of people from all over the world. The story expressed lots diversity by showing the dog, Owney, meet new individuals from a variety of countries around the world. The illustrations portrayed different cultures that intrigued me as a reader to continue reading. Some examples of places that the dog visited were from the United States to China and back. I think children will really enjoy will really enjoy the humor and the story that this book has to offer.

Purposes:
This would be a great book to read aloud to a 1st or 2nd grade class for several potential purposes. This would be a great book to go through with a class to discuss the different vocabulary words that are present in the story. Since the story is told entirely by postcards and letters from people around the world, they do bring up some vocabulary that americans may not be accustomed to such as basic Spanish greetings, sushi, etcetera. Another fantastic reason why a teacher would find this a helpful book in a classroom is the geographic information it contains. This book would be a great way for a teacher to begin teaching a geography unit and diversity as a whole. The book also offers a variety of different styles and formats of writing such as cursive and communication by cable. Overall, this would be a good book despite not having very much figurative language.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a dog traveling the world was too good to pass up. Owney was a stray who captured the hearts of the Albany, NY postmaster. The dog soon hopped a mail train to increasingly farther destinations. His friendliness and sense of adventure took him all over the world in a journey that lasted 8 years.
Written in the form of letter correspondence, you follow Owney in his adventures. The illustrations are wonderful, but the length of the written passages make it a book for lower elementary children. With some verbal editing you could condense this for a younger crowd. With a spark of imagination you could use this as a jumping off point for a series of geography lessons. If this dog can travel the world, surely someday so can you.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first learned about Owney in a song, "Owney's Song" by Stephen Michael Schwartz on his album "Songs from the Sandbox." This book tells about Owney's 8 years with the Railway Postal Service through a series of fictional letters and newspaper articles from probably fictional people who met him on his many travels.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun story about a little dog's travels all over the U.S. and around the world. Apparently, the dog is stuffed and on display with all his tags at the National Postal Museum, just a few miles from where we live. Field trip!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate and I happened to grab this from the library the other day and we were all enchanted. Real life letters about a famous dog (Post Office Mascot that also rode the domestic mail trains all over the country) that traveled the world in the 1890s.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't like read aloud books that are written in letters instead of a narrative. Just my two cents.