Why Do I Have to Eat Off the Floor?

by Chris Hornsey, Gwyn Perkins

Why can't I sleep in your bed?
Why can't I drive the car?
Why can't we play all the time? These seemingly innocent questions, the kind usually asked by a child to an adult, take on a wildly humorous twist when addressed to a child by her dog, Murphy! The minimalist text and succinct illustrations, brilliantly set off the grandiose ambitions of this adorable, little dog with BIG ideas. His owner patiently answers all of his "why" questions, until finally, she's forced to tell it like it that Murphy is a D-O-G (not a human). Quirky, charming, and absolutely hilarious, this book appeals to children, adults, and all those dog owners with canines who just don't believe they're not people!

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Animals, Childrens

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Clare Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this on my bookshelf and took it to the kids' house. Of course they were playing minecraft, but I proceeded to read it to them. Nibling 3 & 4 were close to me and when the dog said "why can't I dig in the garden?" I showed them the highly appropriate picture and they were smitten. They wanted to turn back a page to see the picture of the dog driving the car.

Half way through reading, mr 14 said "this is about a dog!?"
Me: "if you had been looking at the pictures like your enthralled brothers, you would know that."

When I asked mr & mr 7 if I should leave the book with them, they said "Yes!"

[Aisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel bad for the poor doggie.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at the age old proverbial questions of "why", but with a twist of who is doing the asking, and who is providing the answers in this humorous and colorful tale.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Why do I Have to Eat Off the Floor at my placement last week to introduce a writers workshop about questions. In this story the dog asks lots of questions that are often asked by children to their parents. For example, why do I have to take a bath after playing in the mud? Why can't we play all the time? Why can't I have a pet duck or an elephant? The answers are reasonable replies that most parents would tell their children. I read this book to introduce writing and asking questions to the classroom because the book is filled with funny questions. Students can write their own questions and retell the story, adding on to the book, or creating their own book with questions.

[Jack Kirby and the X-man · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murphy, the dog, asks many questions that your child would...
Why can't I drive the car? Why can't I sleep in your bed? Why can't we play ALL the time?
The answers are typical parent answers:
Because you are too small, because you have your own bed, because there are other things we have to do.

The fun would be if your child essentially acted out being the parent of Murphy. X-man is too small to be doing this - and it seemed to me the answers were too boring-parent for a child to relate to. So it didn't work for me, but give it a go!

[Jodi Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story filled with questions. Students may be inspired to write their own question book about things they don't understand. this story could be a great opener to a writing workshop. For the students to write about differences, questions, or things they've always wondered. many things can be taken from this story.

[The Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very charming story of a dog that laments all the things he is not allowed to do - like dig in the garden or drive a car. His owner gives good examples for all the rules they have, but in the end has to remind the dog that he is a DOG and that's why he has to eat off the floor.

Very fun illustrations.

[Youth Services · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hilarious book is told in a question and answer format between the family dog and the little girl who owns him. The illustrations are hysterial and this would be good to have on display for Tales with Tails. JD

[Takishia Gabriel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was an okay read for me. Although it was a fun book to read, it was written in a question and answer format. This book could be used to teach students that they can also be creative with their writing just as this author was.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved reading this book. It seriously made me laugh because it was so funny. I loved that the dog thought he should do people things. Very fun book. The illustrations were also really unique.

[Joanne Zienty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute twist on the why? why? why? questions that every child asks... in this case, it's the dog doing the asking. Sweet and funny illustrations to accompany the text. Fun for a dog-themed read aloud or display.

[Edna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cartoony illustrations accompany this book about a young girl's explaining dog etiquette to her pet dog!

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheerful, wonderful illustrations and a little bit silly this all the hallmarks of a delightful children's book.

[Bear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable cover picture!!

[Laura Filtness · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book to introduce why we have school rules. The kids loved it.
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