Fun Dog, Sun Dog

by Deborah Heiligman, Tim Bowers (Illustrator)

Tinka is a sweet dog, a treat dog, a jumping-up-to-greet dog. A fun dog, a sun dog, a run-and-run-and-run dog. Meet Tinka, a dandy, sandy golden retriever, and the boy who loves her as they spend a busy, dizzy day at the beach. Sunny watercolors and a lighthearted rhyming text will make this rhythmic read-aloud a winner with dog lovers of all ages.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Summer, Childrens, Storytime, Friendship, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2005

About the author

Deborah Heiligman has been writing for children since she worked at Scholastic News soon after college. Since then she has written more than thirty books for children and teens. Her books include picture books, both fiction and nonfiction, and young adult nonfiction and fiction. Some titles: Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith, a National Book Award finalist; The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos, a Cook Prize Winner and Orbis Pictus honor; Intentions, a Sydney Taylor Award winner, and a picture book series about Tinka the dog. Her latest book is Vincent and Theo: The van Gogh Brothers. For more information please visit www.DeborahHeiligman.com

Reviews

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun rhyming book- H liked the line "licky,icky,sticky, dog!" reminded us of our favorite dog, Tanner

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Text: 3 stars
Illustrations: 3 stars

A rhyming picture book that chronicles an ordinary day in the life of a boy and his dog. Some of the rhymes are positive but others not so much, which makes the story arc seem unclear. Illustrations contain some interesting texture and movement.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much of a story, just rhymes on each page. The illustrations are pretty and what really make the book.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a fun book for a beginning reader check this one out. My son loved how there were only three lines per page! He gets frustrated at times when books start with few words per page and then work up to more and more words per page. I love that each page concentrated on a different phonic sound, like: sweet, treat, greet; fun, sun run; ride, slide, side, etc. This repetition of phonics being emphasized makes it easier on the beginning reader to start memorizing which letter combos make which sounds.

And I love the story of the boy with his dog in many different scenarios.

[Marisa Lebitsch]

This book is about a boy who describes his dog using many different adjectives. This book teaches adjectives by describing the different activities the dog is doing. This is important for expressive language since adjectives are describing words. The pictures of the dog and the boy can also facilitate conversation about each page of the book, allowing the child to practice expressive language.

[Peggy Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun rhyming text shows how a boy's pet dog, Tinka, is such a fun--including a few not-so-fun situations.

[So_Unhip_Shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one - fun, rhymes, cute story of how loving, lovable, and obnoxious dogs can be!!

[Smita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhythmic read to teach rhyming.

[BiblioBeruthiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhyme scheme is better than most of these types of books, but I just don't prefer it.

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rhyming book that goes through a day in the life of a boy and his dog.

[Dalia DJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I love this book, it’s funny.” Jada age 7

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, summery book told with a rhythmic, sing-songy cadence.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute rhyming book

[Mellanie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute.

[SB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and funny. I think that kids will really enjoy this book because it rhymes and is about a silly dog. I thought it was really amusing

[Alli · Rating 5 out of 5]

My students always love a Tinka story! The rhyming is great to help us use fun books they enjoy for lesson connections too!

[Abby Yoder · Rating 3 out of 5]

It brought back great memories of why I love my dogs at home and why I love reading animal books because so many children love reading them and it was why I want to have a ton of animals when I'm older.

[JustOneMoreBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunshine, shenanigans and loads of jingly rhyme make this cheery little boardbook a perfect preschool pick.

You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.

Other books mentioned:
Kid Tea

More pooch inspired poetry on JOMB:
Don’t Lick the Dog
Stella, Unleashed!
Biscuits in the Cupboard
Good Dog
My Pup
The Pound from the Hound
Poodlena
Safe and Sound
Dirty Dog Boogie

We’d love to hear your thoughts on a favourite children’s book. Leave a voice message on our JOMB listener hotline, +1-206-350-6487, so we can include your audio in our show

[Katherine Cowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great picture book about a boy and his dog, Tinka. Three things I love: 1. The poetry. It's a great use of catchy but never corny rhyme for kids. 2. The story is told entirely through adjectives and adjectival phrases -- the "be" verb is the only verb used throughout the book, yet the adjectives imply so much action that are then beautifully illustrated throughout the book. Take this stanza for an example:

Tinka is a dandy dog,
a sandy dog,
a snatching-all-my-candy dog.

3. Great, engaging illustrations which always put the dog front and center (which young kids love). Many pages include hints of what is to come later in the action on the edge of the page or in the distance. The illustrations are what unify the story for me.

[babyhippoface · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy and his dog enjoy a day playing together on the beach in this rhythmic rhyming book. Each two-page spread features a simple, repetetive rhyme chronicling the pair’s adventures (“Tinka is a sweet dog, a treat dog, a jumping-up-to-greet dog.”) The gesso beneath acrylic adds texture to the playful, margin-to-margin illustrations. Share this with kids and they will wish this “care dog, share dog, when-I-need-her-there dog” was their dog.

[Dena McMurdie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This super cute story about a boy and his dog will keep you smiling through the very last page. Written in simple verse, Fun Dog, Sun Dog is an entertaining look at the relationship between humans and their pets. Dogs are not always perfect, but they offer people companionship and love.

The artwork is warm, bright, and charming. This is an adorable book that any dog-loving child will enjoy.
Books for Kids

[Erika Tortorice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This an easy to read rhyming book. I illustrastions helps the reader to figure out larger unknown words. The simple rhyming sentences shows the experiences the dog goes through in the story and each illustration perfectly matches. The illustrations spread across two pages allowing for the setting to be understood and stand out. The illustrator uses lines to get across the emotions of the characters. The author uses rhyming words which could be used to add to a word wall in the classroom.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun rhyming and cute illustrations

Tinka the dog is the fun dog playmate in "Fun Dog, Sun Dog." The simple rhymes are catchy and I even caught myself repeating parts of them later (and making up some of my own).

The illustrations are outstanding - bright, colorful, comical. I loved the expressions on Tinka's doggie face.

Children of all ages will enjoy this one.

[Ina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tinka is "a sweet dog, a treat dog, a jumping-up-to-greet dog." Colorful, humor filled illustrations and flowing, rhyming text tell the story of Tinka's summer adventures with her boy. They have fun filled days…and not so fun filled days - like when Tinka gets sprayed by a skunk. The two are inseparable and the love they have for each other comes through loud and clear.

[Peggy Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, silly rhyming book that I like, and that for some reason doesn't really capture my son's attention. I've tried it several times and he'll listen but he always wants me to pick something else. I have no idea why, I think it's good.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rhyming story about a silly and lovable dog. This is a fun read aloud for PreK-2 if looking for a beachy summertime book, but the rhyming text is great for any time of year.

Acrylic paint illustrations.

[Jen H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read Aloud and great for dog lovers. Rhyming book about a boy's dog. Funny and sweet with colorful illustrations.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. I just love that my son is picking his own books from the library, too!

[Juliet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Boys liked it, I like it.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book!!!!