Open Me...I'm a Dog

by Art Spiegelman

Through the magic of words and pictures leaps a book that's not only playful as a puppy -- it IS a puppy! Honest.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Dogs, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Comics

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Art Spiegelman is an American cartoonist, editor, and cultural innovator whose work has profoundly influenced the perception of comics as a legitimate art form, blending literary sophistication with experimental visual storytelling. Emerging from the underground comix movement of the 1960s and 1970s, Spiegelman quickly distinguished himself with a distinctive approach that combined meticulous craftsmanship, psychological insight, and narrative complexity, challenging conventions of sequential art and the boundaries between personal memoir and historical record. He co-founded the landmark anthology Raw with his wife, Françoise Mouly, which became a platform for cutting-edge, avant-garde cartoonists from around the world, blending surrealist imagery, literary experimentation, and bold visual ideas that redefined the possibilities of the medium. Spiegelman is best known for his groundbreaking graphic novel Maus, a haunting, deeply personal depiction of his father’s experiences as a Holocaust survivor, which used anthropomorphic characters to explore trauma, memory, and identity with unprecedented depth; the work earned a Special Pulitzer Prize and established Spiegelman as a central figure in both literary and visual culture. Beyond Maus, he has contributed influential cartoons and covers to The New Yorker, including the iconic 9/11 cover, demonstrating his ability to communicate complex emotional and cultural truths with economy and symbolic resonance. His artistic sensibility reflects influences from early twentieth-century cartoonists, modernist design, typography, and the visual language of newspapers and advertising, while also incorporating pop culture, surrealism, and abstraction. Spiegelman has consistently experimented with the interplay of image and text, treating comics as a medium that mirrors cognitive processes of memory, perception, and emotional experience. In addition to his creative output, he has curated exhibitions, edited anthologies, and published critical essays on comics history and theory, advocating for the recognition of the medium as serious art and mentoring generations of cartoonists. He has also worked in graphic design, creating posters, album covers, and commemorative stamps, and his visual interventions often reflect his interest in narrative structure, cultural commentary, and the power of imagery to shape public understanding. Throughout his career, Spiegelman has been a vocal advocate for freedom of expression and a critic of censorship, engaging in public discourse on political and social issues, and demonstrating how comics can address profound ethical and historical questions. His pioneering work, editorial vision, and relentless innovation have transformed both the aesthetics and the intellectual reception of comics, proving that the medium can handle grief, history, and identity with sophistication, subtlety, and emotional resonance. Spiegelman’s legacy is evident in the work of contemporary graphic novelists and in the broader cultural recognition of comics as an art form capable of exploring human experience, social commentary, and the complexities of memory and trauma, making him one of the most influential figures in modern visual storytelling.

Reviews

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story for young readers and parents, a story of a dog, or is it a book? Was a curse placed on this dog?

The illustrations in this book are filled with charm, and begins with the dog sharing his story of being turned into a book.

’WAIT! he says, ’Don’t put me back on the shelf! !’ll tell you about the wizard’s curse’!

’It started when I was just a pup…’ and so the story begins of him chasing a rabbit, who just happened to be driving by… and he finds himself lost in some enchanted woods, and ends up in the witch’s house. She is nice to him until he, unfortunately, begins to chew on her broom, so she turns him into a German Shepherd… the human kind, not a dog, and then he meets Magda, the magic maiden, who sings like a bird - but smells fishy. So, when Magda asked him for a kiss, he, of course, licked her face.

Magda wasn’t amused…so she turned him into a frog, but a bullfrog that was as big as a Bull! So that happened…and then she decided to give him to her Uncle, who wanted to use him for making a stew. So Magda hid, but then was found… and what a mess was made!

This is a wonderfully illustrated story for young readers that will be enjoyed by young readers as well as their parents.


Pub Date: 08 Oct 2024

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Toon Books

[Mariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

He really is a dog.

(Would it be so bad to be a book? This dog wants to be your dog. He's a book, though. Either way when the alarm goes off every am I'm envious.)

(Then again the conceit is bittersweet like don't forget about me Winnie and Velveteen Rabbit and rubber ring. Or that annoying as hell She and Him song Zooey Deschanel whines about the shelf. Open me! The art is sweet. It's good, though, barring that hated song looping my head. He's a dog!)

The best part is when the honest to Abe dog is triumphantly proclaiming his true self on his hind legs. He looks so happy. I wish he didn't have to beg, though, or state his case compared to real live dogs. The sweet part is when he knows it. That's the charm of the book. I'd want him around.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book went out of print a long time ago and I am constantly looking for an purchasing more copies. I don't know how many I have given away to my friends' children and grandchildren. It's just a delight! It's a bit of a sensory experience and fun for kids of all ages! It even comes with its own leash.

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, that was fun!

[Isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun book that’s great for young readers. Easy sentences and I love how it speaks directly to the child as the dog tells its story. There are fun ways to interact with it (a leash, a wagging tail, felt…), which was an immediate hit. My daughter made sure to demonstrate it all to her favorite stuffed animal as soon as we were done reading it. And then we had to read it again.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable children’s book. The charming story is magical. It draws upon fairy tales and allows children to fantasize that they have their pet dog with them whenever they are in possession of the book.

[Robin Pelletier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the author, so I thought I would check out this book. It's WAY different than anything I have read by him, but I LOVED it! This is the story of how a dog was unfortunately cursed (many times) and winds up becoming a book. There are worse things that one could be cursed to be. And this book wants to be your dog... adorable.

[Shalee Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was super cute and I think it will make kids laugh. :)

[Robyn Ehrlich · Rating 5 out of 5]

accidentally purchased a signed copy of this after a screening of ART SPIEGELMAN: DISASTER IS MY MUSE :-)

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely little book that we found in a thrift store. It charmed us so completely just looking it over at the store that it had to come home and live with us on our shelf.

[Lulu Joanis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable! Read this at the library for a project on immigrant art; I chose Art Spiegelman, since I read Maus a while ago and loved it. After rereading Maus, I tried out In the Shadow of No Towers, Breakdowns, and then this is the last book of his I could find that is written purely by him, not collaborated on or edited by him or part of a larger series. (Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, I'd love to discover more of his work!)

I didn't expect much from this, but hey, it was a quick read, and I figured I'd exhaust all of my options; but like the best kid-lit, this has a wider appeal than just children, as it explores themes of magical realism, identity vs. expression, and pet care.

I can't wait to adopt this dog for my shelf!

[Madam I'm Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of my favorite children's books. Children are totally enchanted by the simple supposition the books makes, that it is indeed not a book, but a dog that has been turned into one. It even has a leash! Buy it for your next 3-7 year-olds birthday party.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable children's book in a cute package. Sweet!

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun find! Find out how this dog became a book in this silly story full of hilarious misadventures!

[Olivia]

See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/open-m...

OPEN ME... I'M A DOG! is a really fun and unique book. This book is actually a dog, who was changed into a book by an evil sorcerer - but the reader can know that he is actually a dog. The book tells the story of how he became a book and asks the reader to treat him like a dog. The book itself includes some soft endpages, flaps, and a leash bookmark to add to the fun.

What I loved: This is a really clever and unique concept. Children who love picture books and magic will delight in this story and idea. The book contains quite the story, told from the perspective of the dog-book that results in a few curses with unexpected twists. There is a lot of humor and light-heartedness throughout. Due to the nature of the jokes and the storyline, this will work best for elementary school aged readers who will understand why these things are funny and appreciate the concepts of the book.

The illustrations are fantastic throughout, and all the special touches (such as a folded page behind which the dog is hiding, a pet-able felt dog, and a small pop-up wagging tail) really add to the experience and make this one a delight to experience.

Final verdict: OPEN ME... I'M A DOG! is a delightful picture book that I highly recommend for children who love animals, humor, and magic.

Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Ali Cohen]

Title (italicize): I’m A Dog!
Author: Art Spiegelman
Illustrator (if separate from author): n/a
Genre: Non-traditional Picture Book
Theme(s):
• Dog
• Adventure
• Magic
• Desire
Opening line/sentence (type directly from text): What’s that?
Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words): This unique book is the story of a pup and his journey into becoming a book. It starts out when he chases a rabbit and then comes to a witch who turns him into a shepherd on the rooftop of Germany and from there he keeps getting into situations and making more and more people mad, after being turned into a shepherd in Germany, he gets turned into a frog the size of a bull, and then finally this book. However, he wants to be more than a book now, he wants to be treated as a dog.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1 (cut & paste): Deborah Stevenson (The Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books, September 1997 (Vol. 51, No. 1)) 
A puppy-sized hardback complete with leash attached to its spine, this book insists that it's a dog under a wizard's curse. It points out that it can wag its tail (a tail pups-sorry, pops up) and bark (Bow-wow! streams across a spread), then it tells how it passed through the hands of various magical owners, survived various curses, and ended up in its current form. The book/dog is quite persuasive about the advantages of this kind of pet ("I don't have fleas and I never bite"), and it even offers a fuzzy dog-shape to pet ("I love sitting in your lap"). The story starts to roam when it goes into flashback country, so the best part is the encountering of the concept and the changes rung on it. The chunky line-and-watercolor art shows an appealingly generic orange puppy; flashback scenes segue into thicker acrylics, which are less effective and busier on the page but are livened up with the occasional photograph. It would be too mean to hand this book to dog-yearning youngsters and tell them to make do, but the original approach and dorky humor will make many kids eager to get their paws on it. Ad--Additional book of acceptable quality for collections needing more material in the area. (c) Copyright 1997, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 1997, Cotler/HarperCollins, 32p, $14.95. Ages 4-6 yrs. 
(PUBLISHER: HarperCollins Publishers ([New York]:), PUBLISHED: c1997.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2 (cut & paste): Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly) Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly) 
This unusual, slickly produced book, if its own claims are to be believed, is not about a dog, it is a dog. "I was sure you, of all people, could see past the wizard's curse," pleads an apricot-colored pup. The narrator presents evidence for his real self by wagging a pop-up tail ("How many books have tails that wag?") and barking "Bow-wow!" in blocky black letters. He explains that he has run afoul of three nasty characters, each of whom put a spell on him. However, he never tries to reverse the magic. Like any pet (or book), he seeks only enduring affection--plus a little suspension of disbelief. In his first book for children, Spiegelman (Maus) devises a thought-provoking contrast between living creatures and inanimate objects. The volume's compact trim, heavy paper stock and oversize cartoon illustrations are inviting to the eye and hand; a cloth "leash" serves as a bookmark, and the endpapers as well as a dog-shaped cutout within use fuzzy, strokable orange stock to simulate fur ("I love sitting in your lap, but I want you to pet me, not just turn my pages!"). Yet although Spiegelman strives for bubbly canine enthusiasm, the language is sometimes more ingratiating than childlike ("My witch got terribly temper-tantrum mad!"). Much of this delivery seems likeliest to grab Gen X-ers, but the premise itself is just ticklish enough to ensnare kids too. All ages. (Sept.) 
(PUBLISHER: HarperCollins Publishers ([New York]:), PUBLISHED: c1997.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews (3-4 sentences in your own words):
Both reviews touch on the cloth leash attached to the book, this adds yet another intriguing aspect to the picture book and invites creativity from the children. Deborah Stevenson points out the different techniques of the illustrations with the different parts of the book, the style shifts from when the dog is talking to the audience, the flashbacks, and of course there is the photographs mixed in there. This wide range of artistry keeps the book engaging and exciting, while adding another unique aspect to this nontraditional book. Publishers Weekly notes that the language may not always be childlike, however, I disagree, the language, while at times may be unexpected, is fun and atypical allowing the children to expand their vocabulary and enjoy the read.
Evaluation of Literary Elements (3-4 sentences in your own words):
The personification of the main character, the dog or the book is creative and entertaining, it allows the students to really feel the emotions and emphasize with the character. The dog is using casual dialogue as if he is speaking to the audience and having a conversation, this dialogue will really pull the students in and allow them to connect with the characters and the story. When telling the story, every time he is cursed he turns into something unexpected, the author uses humor to give a twist to the story, for example, when the dog is turned into a german shepherd, the author explains that he has not turned into the dog, german shepherd but an actually a shepherd in Germany.
Consideration of Instructional Application (3-4 sentences in your own words):
The dog in the book really yearns for the student’s to understand his feelings and what he misses about being a dog. After I would read aloud the book to the class, I would have the students do an independent activity. In order for the students to take the understanding to the next level, I would have them come up with something a witch, Magda, or Uncle Morris (the evil wizard) turned them into and then have the students create a picture of them as this object. I would then have them explain to class what they would miss about their life and would not be able to do anymore if they were this object.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Open Me … I’m a Dog is more than a dog and more than a book. After all, how many picture books have furry pages or a tail? And how many dogs have such wonderful prose and pictures in their middle?

The adventures of this poor pup, who moves from one mishap to another, will delight youngsters and their grownups. But what else would you expect from a picture book by Art Spiegelman — yes, that Art Spiegelman, the legendary author of Maus: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History, for which he won a Pulitzer Prize?

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and TOON Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Steff Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must admit, Open Me… I’m a Dog! was a rather odd read for me. And if I’m being truthful, I didn’t love it. I especially didn’t love it in digital format.

I learned afterward, however, that physical copies of this book include a little leash attached to the spine—how clever!—and I think that ultimately did make me re-think what I thought of the book overall.

While I may not have loved this, this is the sort of book you buy your dog-loving child and that child will most likely develop an incredible attachment to it. They might cuddle it in their laps, take it on walks and car rides and all sorts of adventures, give it belly rubs, and let it sleep in their bed. At the very least, this dog will never have an accident in your house!

At the end of the day, your dog-loving child will probably have a blast reading their dog. And for that, I have to give this book a lot of credit.

Would I buy it? Yeah, probably for any dog-loving child I know.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightfully odd picture book from Art Spiegelman, known for his Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History graphic novels.

This book has it all, enchanted woods, magic maidens, fuzzy pages, curses, overlarge frogs, and a warm and just as fuzzy ending. Just read it, it's a gem.

Themes: dogs, mysteries, magic maidens, curses, humor
Ages: 2-5th grade+
Pub year: 2007

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Open Me, I’m A Dog written by Art Speigelman is such a sweet book! I had the chance to read this book on my Kindle through NetGalley, and I greatly enjoyed it. It is the story of a dog who through different misadventures gets turned into different things, including a book.
I think that this is a great book for younger audiences, and one that their families, teachers, and fellow readers will enjoy too! It has some great humor in it, and some wonderful illustrations. Thank you to NetGalley and to the author and publisher of this book for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Andrea W · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect gift for the loved one in your life asking for a dog for the holidays. With an attached leash and soft fur inside it’s easy to see that this newly reissued book by Pulitzer prize winning author & comics artist, Art Spiegelman, is actually a dog (albeit one that fell under a series of unfortunate curses). The delightfully small format is filled with a pleasing mix of great artwork in pen & ink, paintings, and photographs and with all the curse casting characters more silly than they are spooky, this can safely be enjoyed by most, if not all, ages.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reissue of the 1994 title, first published by HarperCollins.

A fun romp with Spiegelman as the reader listens to the sad story of the dog who is trapped in this book. From the leash attached to the spine of the book, to the flocked orange (short hair) endsheets, to the pop-up tail, to the bent page corner, there are surprises and word gags galore. Spiegelman's mixed media of painting, collage, and line art helps support the frantic case of the dog.

With cardstock pages, this one should withstand some abuse by small hands.

Highly Recommended for ages PreS-grade 2.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Open Me...I'm a Dog" with story and art by Art Spiegelman is a playful and unconventional picture book that works much better as a physical book than a digital one.

With fuzzy pages, a leash and interactive pages as well as an engaging canine narrator, this book is unique and has a meta-commentary on the nature of reading and storytelling. The big question the reader needs to ask after reading it is: Is this a book or a dog?

This is a book that breaks the fourth wall and encourages interaction. The illustrations are great and the whole experience is pretty unique.

[Ande Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Open Me...I'm a Dog is an adorable picture book told from the perspective of a dog who has been bewitched to be a book. The story was delightful and weird, and the illustrations from Art Spiegelman were fantastic. I would definitely recommend this one to kiddos who want a little more magic in their lives!

Thanks to NetGalley, Art Spiegelman, and TOON Books for the chance to review this advance copy!

[Bailey Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Open Me.... I'm A Dog is a fun, interactive, and adorable book! You can even wag the dogs tail, which is incredibly fun! I can see littles adoring this aspect of the book; I know I loved it. The book also boasts fun sensory pages where you can feel velvet. I adore the fantastic storyline of this book and of course the dog. It is full of energy and humor. I recommend this book as a fun read for everyone!

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Open Me...I'm a Dog is an unexpected adventure. The book - or dog, rather - explains how he came to be a dog in book format. An outrageous series of events surprises the reader while texture and pop-ups encourage the reader to physically engage with the book. I'm a Dog will spark young readers' outrage at the magical treatment the dog receives at the hands of magical villains and will encourage their sense of justice. Open Me...I'm a Dog is unlike books you've seen before.

[Deon Talahatu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spiegelman is a master storyteller. Not just an illustrator or book cover designer who is climbing into the comics area. He writes stories with stories, not just cute and adorable pictures. GUGUG should learn from this: bukan sekadar ngegambar asal bagus dan khas, not just silly and empty pictures and stories.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
I read a digital advance copy courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss
A book that looks like a dog has a story to tell. Once, he was a puppy who angered a few magical folks and he was turned into this book, but he's honestly a little dog that just wants to sit on your lap and be petted, I mean read! Joyful illustrations tell the poor dog's story.

[Alyssa Mohring · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect book for kids who love dogs. The plot was fun. The book was engaging. I loved the illustrations. They were beautiful. I love the pop - ups and tabs to keep kids engaged. I feel bad for the puppy. He wants to be loved. I loved all the shenanigans he got into. This book is not only fun it is playful. I can not wait to read this to Scarlett.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quirky picture book about a dog's magical misadventures after having unpleasant encounters with a witch, the magic maiden of the mountain, and a wizard. The humorous illustrations and the fabric leash, popup tail, and fuzzy dog shaped cutout do a lot to make this is an entertaining picture book that will be fun to share.