What's Claude Doing?

by Dick Gackenbach

A dog refuses all the neighborhood pets' invitations to come out to play, not admitting that he's generously keeping his sick master company.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Dogs, Childrens

Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Dick Gackenbach, the illustrator of all the Adam Joshua Capers, is also the author-illustrator of more than a score of books of his own. Mr. Gackenbach lives in Washington Depot, Connecticut.

Reviews

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Claude's wishing he and his master could live somewhere with leash laws.

Times were much different in 1984, when this was first published. Letting dogs and cats run wild is just such a recipie for disaster. Nowadays, its also illegal.

Yeah, it's a kid's book, but it's just impossible for me to read something like this and not think of real pet issues, such as loose dogs and cats getting hit by traffic, picked up to be sold for medical research, or tortured by pyschos. And letting dogs greet kids getting off the school bus? Lawsuits galore.

Nice drawings, though.

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet story! I'm a huge fan of Gackenbach's Claude the Dog: A Christmas Story and was super excited to read this one. Of course, the other has all the nostalgia feels for me and is the one I grew up reading--but this is a super sweet story as well, with endearing characters and an "awww" moment at the end.

[Ina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple text and fun filled illustrations make this a great read-aloud, especially for dog lovers. My story time audience had great fun guessing what was so important to Claude that he would turn down all his friends' invitations for all of his favorite things. This is a great illustration of the bond between a boy and his dog!

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

All of Claude's friends want him to come out to play today, but he calls from the window that he is busy and can't come out. They wonder what could be so important. His little boy is sick and needs him!

Nice enough illustrations.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The animals want Claude to come outside and play, but Claude won't. Why not? At the end, the book reveals that he's staying inside with his "boy" who has a cold and is sick in bed.

[Edna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neighborhood animals want Claude to come outside and play but he can't because he has a very important task to "take care of." Hard to find book because it is out of print.

[Michelle Farella · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is no "Pa" in the title.