Give the Dog a Bone

Funnybones

by Allan Ahlberg

The dog skeleton goes for a walk, but he's having so much fun he loses some of his bones! Who will pick up the pieces and put him back together again?

Genres: Childrens, Audiobook

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 1994

About the author

Allan Ahlberg was one of the UK's most acclaimed and successful authors of children's books - including the best-selling Jolly Postman series. Born in Croydon in 1938, he was educated at Sunderland Technical College. Although he dreamed of becoming a writer since the age of twelve, his route to that goal was somewhat circuitous. Other jobs along the way included postman (not an especially jolly one, he recalls), gravedigger, plumber, and teacher.

Ahlberg wrote his first book when he was thirty-seven, after a decade of teaching - a profession that he maintains is "much harder" than being a writer. He says that if he hadn't become a writer, he would have loved to be a soccer player. He was married for many years to fellow children's author Janet Ahlberg, with whom he often worked. Their daughter, Jessica Ahlberg, is also a children's author.

Reviews

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this it took me back to my childhood.

[Hayley Spinks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Give the Dog a Bone is one of the many books in the Funnybones collection. It tells the story of a dog who goes out for a walk on a ‘dark dark’ night. While on his travels he comes across various other animals. He chases them as he comes across them and each time he loses a different bone from his skeletal figure.
Big skeleton and Little skeleton go to find him on their bikes, they don’t see him and run him over leaving the poor dog in a pile on bones on the floor. Big and Little skeleton gather all his bones together; go back over the path the dog has taken collecting up all his previously lost bones. After a few failed attempts of putting dog back together again they finally manage it.
This book uses the same characters as all the Funnybones collection. It uses little paragraphs on each page that rhyme. It engages the children and encourages them to be actively involved with the story as it asks them questions in the story like whether they can see the dog in the picture.
The humor in this book would appeal to young children, as would the illustration. This book could be used in KS1 for literacy. Children could be encouraged to pick out the rhyming words and add some of their own. This story also lends itself to science with regards to different bones in the body and also light and dark.

[Amy Hoang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just one of many fabulous books in the “Funnybones” adventures range. Allan Ahlberg books are true classics, all of which I have thoroughly enjoyed as a child and now read to my own cousins aged 3-5. Although I feel can be enjoyed by all ages. It tells a story of a little skeleton dog who goes on a walk all alone at night and encounters other skeleton animal friends along the way. All while losing bits of bone! The big skeletons have a bit of a problem on their hands when they try to piece him back together! Every “Funnybones” adventure is continually set in a “dark dark” place, with the same characters throughout, which gives the reader a sense of familiarity and fondness towards the characters in the book. Each page made is made up of short rhyming poems which are fun and engaging to read. There is a nice flow to each paragraph- ensuring the reader reads on to see what happens next! I highly recommend this book to Reception and Year 1 classes.

[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful read from my childhood, one I’d certainly suggest for other youngsters. Whilst it is not my all-time favourite childhood read I can still recall all the details of this one meaning it certainly left a lasting impression upon my young mind.

And isn’t that what we want with children’s books, for them to leave a positive lasting impression?

[I'mogén · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 / 5

Following quickly on the heels (see what I did there) of The Black Cat, I read Give The Dog a Bone on a particularly quiet library shift. What better way to spend working at a library when you've done all your jobs, than to sample all the produce, ay?


The dog skeleton is falling apart! Who will put him back together again??


I didn't realize this was set in a whole town of bone beings - I love that. The little dog gets up to quite a bit of mischief.


Another speedy read for some dark delight and cute entertainment. I can't wait to read these to any future children I may have!

Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy!

[Raven Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book loved it when I was wee and now my toddler loves it too

[Filiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it😍😍😍😍😍

[Shahrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever rhyming adventure (first I’ve noticed in this series), staring the dog. There are some fabulous illustrations here too.

[George Brown]

it was a very exciting book to read