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Good Dog
In this heart-stealing picture book, fine artist Robert Rahway Zakanitch gives us 16 masterful, soulful, impossibly expressive portraits of dogs, and Maya Gottfried wonderfully captures their voices and inner personalities in 16 enchanting poems. It’s a doggie delight!
These dogs beg to be patted, tickled, scratched, and ruffled. Which one will be your best friend?
These dogs beg to be patted, tickled, scratched, and ruffled. Which one will be your best friend?
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 25, 2005
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 20, 2016
My son absolutely loved this book and I can't stop looking at the gorgeous illustrations. Dog fun for everyone!
April 28, 2018
(children's poetry anthology)
Good Dog, written by Maya Gottfried and illustrated by Robert Rahway Zakanitch, is a children's poetry anthology of 16 different poems about 16 different breeds of dog. Each poem is told by the dog, from the perspective, voice, and personality of that particular breed. Some breeds included are Chihuahua, Pug, and Springer Spaniel, with the final page as a tribute to mutts. Each page layout is the same, with the poem on the left side, with black letters and rough sketches on a white page, and a large childlike painting of the breed on a black backdrop on the adjacent page. The charm of this book is that each poem is so different from one another, and each is written in the dog's voice to match their known personality and temperament. "I may be small, but I am swift. Don't you mess with me!"-Chihuahua. A critique for me would be that most of the poems do not rhyme and many of them are hard to find the correct stanza to read them in. This takes some of the fun out of reading it for me, and I could see that happening with younger children as well. I also think that the simple pen and pencil sketches on the white pages seem a little too child like and unprofessional, as the eraser marks and pencil smudges on the page are intentionally visible, but do not add any depth. I chose this book because my classroom is a dog theme, and hoped to include it in my classroom library. Recommended for ages 3-7 as a read aloud for fun. An academic stretch could be to use it for life science discussions about living things' needs and the care needed to own a dog. A better use may be for introducing and discussing voice in literacy.
Good Dog, written by Maya Gottfried and illustrated by Robert Rahway Zakanitch, is a children's poetry anthology of 16 different poems about 16 different breeds of dog. Each poem is told by the dog, from the perspective, voice, and personality of that particular breed. Some breeds included are Chihuahua, Pug, and Springer Spaniel, with the final page as a tribute to mutts. Each page layout is the same, with the poem on the left side, with black letters and rough sketches on a white page, and a large childlike painting of the breed on a black backdrop on the adjacent page. The charm of this book is that each poem is so different from one another, and each is written in the dog's voice to match their known personality and temperament. "I may be small, but I am swift. Don't you mess with me!"-Chihuahua. A critique for me would be that most of the poems do not rhyme and many of them are hard to find the correct stanza to read them in. This takes some of the fun out of reading it for me, and I could see that happening with younger children as well. I also think that the simple pen and pencil sketches on the white pages seem a little too child like and unprofessional, as the eraser marks and pencil smudges on the page are intentionally visible, but do not add any depth. I chose this book because my classroom is a dog theme, and hoped to include it in my classroom library. Recommended for ages 3-7 as a read aloud for fun. An academic stretch could be to use it for life science discussions about living things' needs and the care needed to own a dog. A better use may be for introducing and discussing voice in literacy.
April 17, 2018
Awards: I
didn't find any awards
Grade level: K-3
Summary: This is a cute book from the mouth of a dog. The reader gets to see what dog personalities are really like. The book showcase a variety of different dogs that are lovable and cutie pies.
Review: This is a funny book told by dogs. The dogs in this book tells the reader what's really on their minds. This is a great book to read or give to a pet owner.
In class use: I would use this book for circle time or could be a good resource to read at the end of the day.
didn't find any awards
Grade level: K-3
Summary: This is a cute book from the mouth of a dog. The reader gets to see what dog personalities are really like. The book showcase a variety of different dogs that are lovable and cutie pies.
Review: This is a funny book told by dogs. The dogs in this book tells the reader what's really on their minds. This is a great book to read or give to a pet owner.
In class use: I would use this book for circle time or could be a good resource to read at the end of the day.
December 16, 2018
Super cute! You can definitely hear a dog’s point of view on each page. Loved the illustrations of so many types of dogs!
Read
June 1, 2019Cute illustrations.
January 25, 2020
Adorable book of poems told from the perspectives of different breeds of dogs.
September 13, 2020
Good Book
Endearing words, precious drawings that capture the spirit and heart of our dogs. I got smiles and cozy feelings while I read this book for kids of all ages.
Endearing words, precious drawings that capture the spirit and heart of our dogs. I got smiles and cozy feelings while I read this book for kids of all ages.
June 10, 2021
I can't see these poems really appealing to children. The pictures were adorable however.
March 23, 2022
Cute picture book with short poems about different dog breeds. The pictures are adorable. I was a little disappointed by the mutt poem.
April 26, 2016
Title: Good Dog
Author: Maya Gottfried
Illustrator: Robert Rahway Zakanitch
Genre: Poetry
Theme(s): Dogs
Opening line/sentence: Sit Stay Fetch Heel Lie down Roll Over Shake hands Speak
Brief Book Summary: Each dog breed has it’s own poem. Each poem describes characteristics of what the dog breed is like and what the dog might be thinking.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Midwest Book Review (Children's Bookwatch, June 2006)
Maya Gottfried's Good Dog deserves ongoing mention as a special story with Robert Rahway Zakanitch's realistic paintings enhancing the story of a series of very different dogs, from chows and collies to Westies. Which is the right dog for a potential owner? The pictures and doggie descriptions tell of very different personalities between breeds. The Picturebook Shelf ...., Knopf/Random/Doubleday, $15.95. ages 4+
(PUBLISHER: Alfred A. Knopf:Distributed by Random House (New York:), PUBLISHED: 2005.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)
Dog lovers will find this collection so doggone good that they will want to share it with friends and perhaps man s best friend--his dog. Some dogs are among the more exotic: chow, Pekinese, Pomeranian, and Maltese to name a few. Others are more common and often found as pets: Chihuahua, corgi, bulldog, collie, Scottish terrier, and a mutt. The full-page illustrations are terrific--the Westie has a truly sweet expression, the Pekinese is sad, the King Charles Spaniel does not look very friendly, and the Chihuahua has a real in-your-face attitude. The poet relied on the drawings for inspiration. Among those that I particularly enjoyed include the poem about our friend the Chihuahua, which ends with, Don t you mess with me. You have to feel sorry for the Pomeranian who lets everyone know that she is not pleased with how she looks, Now I m as round as a powder puff. / This is just embarrassing. In addition to the large single-page illustrations there are sketches of the featured dog scattered on the page containing the poem. This book is aimed at dog lovers but should appeal to most kids. 2005, Borzoi/Alfred A. Knopf/Random House, $15.95 and $17.99. Ages 4 to 8.
(PUBLISHER: Alfred A. Knopf:Distributed by Random House (New York:), PUBLISHED: 2005.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both reviews offer a brief summary of the text but the second review goes into more detail. The illustrations are mentioned in both reviews as they offer additional details to the story. Dog lovers will indeed enjoy this text as both reviews stated.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The comical poems are written from the perspective of the dog which will keep students laughing. The words in the poems are simple which allows readers of all abilities to enjoy this text. Students with dogs will be able to make connections to the characteristics of the dogs that are written in each poem.
Consideration of Instructional Application: Once students have finished reading this collection of poems, they will write their own poem based on how they think their pet feels. If they do not have a pet, they can write about any animal they would like, just as long as they describe some of its characteristics. Students should make sure that their poems contain a little humor.
Author: Maya Gottfried
Illustrator: Robert Rahway Zakanitch
Genre: Poetry
Theme(s): Dogs
Opening line/sentence: Sit Stay Fetch Heel Lie down Roll Over Shake hands Speak
Brief Book Summary: Each dog breed has it’s own poem. Each poem describes characteristics of what the dog breed is like and what the dog might be thinking.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Midwest Book Review (Children's Bookwatch, June 2006)
Maya Gottfried's Good Dog deserves ongoing mention as a special story with Robert Rahway Zakanitch's realistic paintings enhancing the story of a series of very different dogs, from chows and collies to Westies. Which is the right dog for a potential owner? The pictures and doggie descriptions tell of very different personalities between breeds. The Picturebook Shelf ...., Knopf/Random/Doubleday, $15.95. ages 4+
(PUBLISHER: Alfred A. Knopf:Distributed by Random House (New York:), PUBLISHED: 2005.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)
Dog lovers will find this collection so doggone good that they will want to share it with friends and perhaps man s best friend--his dog. Some dogs are among the more exotic: chow, Pekinese, Pomeranian, and Maltese to name a few. Others are more common and often found as pets: Chihuahua, corgi, bulldog, collie, Scottish terrier, and a mutt. The full-page illustrations are terrific--the Westie has a truly sweet expression, the Pekinese is sad, the King Charles Spaniel does not look very friendly, and the Chihuahua has a real in-your-face attitude. The poet relied on the drawings for inspiration. Among those that I particularly enjoyed include the poem about our friend the Chihuahua, which ends with, Don t you mess with me. You have to feel sorry for the Pomeranian who lets everyone know that she is not pleased with how she looks, Now I m as round as a powder puff. / This is just embarrassing. In addition to the large single-page illustrations there are sketches of the featured dog scattered on the page containing the poem. This book is aimed at dog lovers but should appeal to most kids. 2005, Borzoi/Alfred A. Knopf/Random House, $15.95 and $17.99. Ages 4 to 8.
(PUBLISHER: Alfred A. Knopf:Distributed by Random House (New York:), PUBLISHED: 2005.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both reviews offer a brief summary of the text but the second review goes into more detail. The illustrations are mentioned in both reviews as they offer additional details to the story. Dog lovers will indeed enjoy this text as both reviews stated.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The comical poems are written from the perspective of the dog which will keep students laughing. The words in the poems are simple which allows readers of all abilities to enjoy this text. Students with dogs will be able to make connections to the characteristics of the dogs that are written in each poem.
Consideration of Instructional Application: Once students have finished reading this collection of poems, they will write their own poem based on how they think their pet feels. If they do not have a pet, they can write about any animal they would like, just as long as they describe some of its characteristics. Students should make sure that their poems contain a little humor.
November 22, 2019
Genre: Poetry
Awards: Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
Audience: Grades K-3
A. The book Good Dog is a collection of poetry that is written in free verse. This is made known because it has one common topic, which is dogs. Instead of telling a story, each poem is about a different dog breed. As for the style, the author doesn't follow any consistent patterns for her writing style. Instead she follows the rules of poetry and writes in a way that best describes the dog being talked about.
B. The author uses imagery to allow the reader to illustrate a situation. For instance, the poem about the Cocker Spaniel uses a great deal of imagery to allow the reader to see the activities that the dog is doing. From playing in the water to digging in the dirt, the reader is able to get an idea of how this particular breed of dog acts.
C. Create a stanza about your favorite breed of dog.
Shih Tzu:
Small and light
Maybe fluffy and white
By yourside every night
Never will leave your sight
Awards: Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
Audience: Grades K-3
A. The book Good Dog is a collection of poetry that is written in free verse. This is made known because it has one common topic, which is dogs. Instead of telling a story, each poem is about a different dog breed. As for the style, the author doesn't follow any consistent patterns for her writing style. Instead she follows the rules of poetry and writes in a way that best describes the dog being talked about.
B. The author uses imagery to allow the reader to illustrate a situation. For instance, the poem about the Cocker Spaniel uses a great deal of imagery to allow the reader to see the activities that the dog is doing. From playing in the water to digging in the dirt, the reader is able to get an idea of how this particular breed of dog acts.
C. Create a stanza about your favorite breed of dog.
Shih Tzu:
Small and light
Maybe fluffy and white
By yourside every night
Never will leave your sight
February 22, 2008
Dog lovers will revel in this book of poems written from a dog’s point of view. Each two-page spread focuses on a specific breed and features a full-page painting of a dog on the right, pencil sketches and free verse on the left. The illustrations greatly enhance the text, giving the reader a concrete image to accompany each poem. The real charm of Good Dog, however, is found in the look inside the perceived thoughts of the dogs, as each breed’s personality is delightfully captured. Images of gentleness beneath the bulldog’s drooling exterior, the faithfulness of the collie, the chihuahua’s attempt at ferocity, and more are dynamically painted with words. Use this in Language Arts classrooms to inspire students to create their own first-person poetic monologues of other animals or inanimate objects.
June 23, 2012
This is a wonderful book of poetry. These poems are some what comedic because they give the dogs a voice. Each poem is specifically designed to the personalities of the types of dogs. On of my favorite is the poem about the Maltese. It describes how the owner is in a sense married to the dog because the Maltese personality requires a lot of maintenance and care. The beautiful paintings by Robert Zakanitch bring the poems to life and also give the reader a clear picture of the personalities of the dogs by the detailed facial expressions.
April 12, 2024
A pleasant read for a relaxing afternoon, especially if you're a dog lover! Stylishly painted dog portraits are accompanied by short, easy-to-read poems that can be appreciated by both kids and adults alike (though I think the book seems geared more towards an adult audience). The appreciation here is really more for the artist's accurate yet artistic representations of various dog breeds like the pekingese, pomeranian, collie, spaniel, chihuahua, pug, chow chow, bulldog, etc, with the text as an afterthought.
January 18, 2008
Full page, personality-packed portraits, deceptively adorable sketched studies and frank, enthusiastic poems reveal the charm and distinct characters of sixteen beguiling breeds in this irresistible celebration of spunky, demanding, affectionate, rambunctious, cantankerous, lovable dogs.
Listen to our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.
Listen to our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.
March 16, 2008
A dog wags his tale in front of the reader in poems and even memos. Funny stuff. Such as this: “I feel terrible about chewing on your custom-made leather shoes. Though, they were on the floor.” I think it works better for adults than for kids—and is, again, one of those books missing the kid’s perspective.
February 5, 2011
I love this book of poetry. The book is a book of poems about several variety of dogs. Each poems is complimented with a matching painting of each dog. Each poem has simple pencil drawing as well of the dog in black and white. The poem speaks of each dogs personality. If read aloud with matching voice the text comes alive to students.
March 8, 2012
Each of the poems in this book are about a different dog breed. Words that specifically define each breed are in the lines, making for some very special poems. It is easy to hear each dog's unique voice. I can't wait to use this in the classroom. The paintings and the sketches inside are also very lovely.
December 7, 2012
A fantastic collection of poetry. I use this book with my students to teach Voice. I show them a PowerPoint with pictures of the different dog breeds, read the poems without showing them the illustrations and ask them to infer which dog is "speaking".
October 21, 2013
This book of poems does a great job connecting simple yet cute poetry in a manner In which young dog lovers could appreciate. Each illustration depicts an action of the poem in which is being told from the dogs point of view.
January 27, 2010
Nice introduction to poetry. I like how well it gives these dogs a personality. Art is not my favorite.
April 12, 2010
While reading this book Skylar told me that she wanted one of each of these dogs: Westie, Chihuahua, Corgi, pug, Boston terrier, and Scottie. yikes!
September 13, 2011
Just ok--nothing inspiring or new. Did not care for some of the poetry.
June 12, 2012
Each poem in this book is told from the perspective of a different dog. The pictures of the dogs are adorable.
June 20, 2017
Text: 4 stars
Illustrations: 2 stars
Picture book of poetry about dogs. The poems are fun and evoke the true spirit of dogs, but the art is not my personal taste.
Illustrations: 2 stars
Picture book of poetry about dogs. The poems are fun and evoke the true spirit of dogs, but the art is not my personal taste.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews