Moondogs by Daniel Kirk

by Daniel Kirk

Young Willy Joe Jehosephat loves to gaze at the moon through his binoculars and his imagination runs wild. Scholastic bookfair edition. Designed by Julia Gorton. Text set in Template Gothic. The artwork in this book was prepared using oil paint on paper.

Genres: Picture Books, Space, Dogs, Childrens, Pets, Storytime, Science Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moondogs is a really cute story.

Willy Joe Jehosephat's parents are worried about their little boy who's quite the loner, so they decide Willy needs a pal, a pet. When Willy's dad announces they'll be going to buy a dog, Willy lets him know that the very best dogs are found on the moon, and sets about building a rocket ship to take him there.

This is a fun, imaginative story, filled with lots of colorful illustrations. My grandson was more interested in the pictures than the story itself, but I'd expect that from an almost 3 year old.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will loves looking at moon through his telescope. His mom and dad think his interest in the heavens is a good thing, but also want him to have a pal on earth. They suggest getting a dog - to which Will replies he wants a moondog! He has seen them through his telescope and they look terrific. So he sets out in his homemade space ship to find, a moondog to bring home but unbeknownst to him, a stray dog hitches a ride in the rocket. When Will encounters the man in the moon he is saved by the scrappy little puppy from earth making them furever friends.

[Myah Rusco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and chose it based on it's creativity and storyline. I think it is something that would interest kids and could keep them engaged. I also think that it is a great book to base writing lessons around.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy wants a dog, and what he doesn't realize is that there is a stray dog that hangs around most of the time. When the boy discovers that there are moondogs on the moon he rockets to the moon where he discovers something very unexpected. Great story and illustrations.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moondogs is a great science fiction/fantasy book written by Daniel Kirk. When Will is offered a pet dog by his parents, he tells them that he wants a moondog. He builds a rocket that actually flies him to the moon! This book is filled with great illustrations. I particularly like the moondogs that he encounters when he arrives; they are different colors with unique attributes. For example, some of them are orange or purple or blue, while one has tiger stripes and another has antlers! I think that children will love these illustrations because they are different and fun. The illustrations are also very detailed; he even uses a moon as the "o" in the first letter of the book! I just really enjoy books that have so much detail, excitement and fun. Along with the great illustrations, the story rhymes. This text structure allows the story to flow, making it a great read aloud story. Overall, I really enjoyed Moondogs and think that children will too!

[S.N. Arly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up at a local SF/F bookstore. Factual science, it isn't, but fun science fiction it is.

Some rhyming patterns in children's books are clunky and uneven at best. While this narration is told in rhyme, it flows very nicely, making it a very nice read aloud book. The pictures are creative and fun (can you find the Scruffy dog hiding on some of the different pages?). The moondogs themselves are weird and monstrous, but sweet and cuddly at the same time.

The story follows Will (destined to be an astronaut or astronomer) in his quest for the perfect pet. After traveling all the way to the moon, he realizes that his ideal dog was always near by.

Warning for the prudish - this does contain some partial moon man nudity. Consider yourself warned.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 5 out of 5]

My five year old brought this home from kindergarten Library time, and we read it together. Having enjoyed other Daniel Kirk stories, I wasn't surprised that we both liked it. The illustrations are rounded and colorful, with lots of human touches. My son especially liked the many-legged moondogs and when asked to say what was in the story made up a sort of add-on about a moondog named Moonie who wanted to be an Earth dog. The subtext about balancing academic dreams and social interaction with those who are right there will probably go right past most children, but who wouldn't love the pair of Willy Joe and his (courageous, earth) dog looking through matching telescopes together on the last page? A good story for those who love dogs and/or space.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannah was VIP of the week (October 11-15, 2010). She brought home a bag, a dog puppet and 4 dog books. She loved all the books!

4 of 4

Moondogs is a very cute rhyming story about a boy's search for a moon dog of his own. Hannah loved this book and the fact that you could see the Man in the Moon's butt when he was running away. Sorry, but it really was funny and she just laughed and laughed. It's really not that noticeable, since the Man in the Moon is far away and partly covered up by a mountain/crater... but we still noticed it. I guess that tells you how bad a mom I am :) lol

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is so great for younger boys. At this age little boys minds are running wild with ideas of adventure and action. This book has very fun illustrations, I think boys would especially enjoy it. There is nothing better than a book about a little boy who goes to the moon to find a four legged friend. It is a lot more fun to go to the moon to get a dog instead of just getting it with your parents!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cute book about a boy going to the moon to find a dog. He instead discovers that the dog he has at home is just as cool and heroic as any moon dog would be. The pictures are bright and colorful, with rich details. There is action, cute alien dogs and space, especially great for younger boys.

[Charles Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about a boy who has no friends and whose parents think he should do something else than look into space. Instead of getting the dog his parents want to give him he builds a rocket and goes to the moon to get a moondog but eventually takes the normal dog after it saves his life. I really like the story and the interesting looking creatures from the moon.

[Storytime Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great lesson learner for any child. It teaches them that whatever they are looking for may be right in front of them all along. It also teaches a great lesson that even the most ordinary things can turn out to be the right thing for them. The Illustrations, are very colorful and detailed and looks like something you would see on a cartoon show.

[Jim · Rating 1 out of 5]

a kid decides he wants a dog for a pet, not the one right behind him lurking in his yard, but a moondog. he builds a spaceship, goes to the moon and tells the intelligent race of moondogs he wants to take one for a pet. they have no problem w/that.
i'm guessing this book is popular in the South where some believe the slaves were better off w/chains on them.

[Emily (Heinlen) Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I do not, under any circumstances, continuing reading a book where one of the characters kills a dog for fun. Therefore, I stopped as soon as that happens. The author could have written a masterpiece after that and, honestly, I don't care. I'll never read the rest of it.

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

"The moon man fled, but he left his pants."
I skipped reading that line to my young ones, but they still noticed the picture. Is this the author's cheap attempt at being funny?

[Jean-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun rhyming picture book.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read to my young son. Fun little story.

[Bridget]

Have audio version