Spike: Ugliest Dog in the Universe

by Debra Frasier

Can an ugly dog with a heart of gold find a home? A warm and clever picture book for animal lovers of any breed.

When Spike, the winner of the Ugliest Dog in the Universe contest, is abandoned by his owner, Joe, the boy next door, is determined—against all odds—to adopt him. Things look grim until Spike foils a neighborhood catnapping plan—and saves the day!

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Childrens, Animals, Cats, Storytime, Humor

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2013

About the author

Debra Frasier is the author and illustrator of many award-winning picture books including On the Day You Were Born and Miss Alaineus, A Vocabulary Disaster. In addition to her well-known talks on creative process, Debra’s innovative "Book Events" build a community’s creativity through projects that start with a story. Visit debrafrasier.com to see how a parade of words can make you laugh, how the alphabet can transform a school carnival into a Word Event, or how a talking dog can make your heart swell and teach first-person writing at the same time!

Reviews

[Annie Friedlander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spike is voted the ugliest dog in the universe but is determined to let is true inner beauty shine. He is desperate to be adopted by a family and even takes advice from a cat! When the cat is trapped by Spikes former owner, he comes to the rescue and the community sees him for more than just an ugly face.

This is a playful book with a powerful underlying message - don't judge a book by it's cover (or a dog by its face). A relatable story for dog and cat lovers, Spike is a story of adventure and hope. Readers will love Spikes enthusiasm and inner beauty.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the story of Spike, winner of the area's "Ugliest Dog Contest." He may have won the contest but his owner abandons him. Joe, the boy next door, takes Spike in and tries to convince his mother to allow the dog to stay. It doesn't work. While running errands the next day they make a stop at the animal shelter to drop Spike off. But the shelter is closed. They'll have to come back another day.

Back at home Spike notices the fancy cat next door is following a suspicious trail of sardines. Just as Spike growls at her to stop, the fancy cat is grabbed up by a would-be kidnapper. But thanks to Spikes' obnoxious barking the kidnapper drops the cage and runs. Spike is now a town hero and Joe is able to keep him.

I loved this story but the collage pictures are confusing.

[Joanne Zienty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever collage illustrations that incorporate blue jeans and other clothing heighten the fun. Here is a picture book full of cliffhangers -- will Spike actually be dropped off at the pound???? Or will he take his rightful place as Joseph's best friend? Also includes a cute cat for us feline aficionados.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt so bad for Spike, whose owner is verbally-emotionally abusive and neglectful. But it all works out! Interesting collage illustrations.

[Ashley Clark · Rating 1 out of 5]

Umm I dunno. I may read it to myself but it seemed really sad

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A dog can't help the way he looks. I'm good-hearted. Loyal. Smart."

After winning the "Ugliest Dog in the Universe" contest, Spike's heartless owners leave him behind. Joe, the boy next door, finds him and takes him in. But Joe's Mom says they can't afford the dog, so he must be taken to the pound. "Desperate times require desperate measures" and that includes asking the cat Evangeline for advice on how not to be abandoned yet again. Though he tries to follow Evangeline's advice, it looks like Spike is headed to the pound. But when he becomes a hero in the local paper for stopping a kidnapping, things change for Spike and Joe.

At its core, this is as story about judging by what's on the inside rather than by what's on the outside. It tugs at the heart when everyone makes fun of the "ugliest" dog and the mistreatment he suffers because of his appearance. The discussion can easily lead to parallels in the students' own lives. Interesting illustration choice: collage with Cansons paper, used clothing and warn blue jean pieces. Much like Spike, they may not look the best but they are comfortable and reliable.

[Deb Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spike Ugliest Dog in the Universe shows how Spike is more than just an ugly face. After Spike wins the Ugliest Dog in the Universe contest he feels awful. To add injury to his pain, his owner leaves him and Spike is temporarily adopted by Joe, the boy next door. Joe must prove to his mom that Spike is a dog worthy of having a home. In the meantime, a neighbor cat, Evangeline, is almost kidnapped and Spike comes to the rescue. Spike proves that he is also good-hearted, loyal and smart…great qualities to begin a class discussion on personal characteristics. Debra Frasier not only incorporates a variety of script within the story, but uses color to highlight words and phrases. Her illustrations are very unique. Frasier uses collages made of Cansons papers, used clothing and worn blue jean pieces to illustrate simple, colorful pages that bring the story to life. Spike would work well as a read aloud for grades K-2.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tore my heart out! Spike's owner isn't a very nice guy. He enters him into an ugliest dog contest, which Spike wins though it doesn't help his self-esteem, and then abandons him. The next door neighbor boy, Joe, takes care of Spike and wants to adopt him, but his mother is worried it will be too much money.

Spike worries about being dropped off at the dog pound and seeks advice from a neighbor cat. When Spike rescues the neighbor cat from a near kidnapping he is recognized as a hero and the story ends happily.

This story is told from Spike's point of view, which makes it a real heartbreaker. Dog lovers will struggle with this one, though readers will understand that some dog's have a hard life, luckily in this case, Spike's story finishes on a high note.

Mixed media artwork. PreK-2.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor Spike wins the Ugliest Dog in the Universe contest, and then his owner abandons him. But Joe, the kind-hearted boy next door, is able to see beneath Spike's unattractive surface into his heart, and he begs his mother to let Spike join their family. Trying to impress her, Spike follows the advice from Evangeline, a fancy cat who lives nearby. But it will take Spike's heroic efforts to thwart a cat theft to bring her around to offering Spike a home of his own. Although Spike's heroics might be a little bit exaggerated, I was willing to overlook that fact because I liked him and the story so much. This touching story focuses on the all-too real problem of humans abandoning their pets. Not only does the story tug at the heartstrings, but the illustrations, created with Cansons papers, used clothing, and worn parts of 129 pairs of blue jeans.

[Amber Stark]

This book is great for kids! Spike goes through some sad times, but his new owner Joe helps him become happy again. This book will teach children a valuable lesson on "Don't judge a do by it's cover" because this ugliest dog in the universe is actually very lovely.

I would have the students give me an example of the things Spike found out he did not have to change about himself while using some of their vocabulary words from that time, then I would have them draw their own picture of spike just like Joe does.

Frasier, D. (2013). Spike: Ugliest dog in the universe. New York: Beach Lane Books.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the heels of the death of the world's ugliest dog this past November and the ubiquitousness of the popular long-suffering cat Internet meme, I was in the perfect state of mind to read about Spike. Coincidentally, this is the second picture book about dog adoption I read this year. And really? I'm a sucker for dog books. The story's a bit convoluted but a winning combination of humor and pathos. The illustrations are unique, busy and energetic. The bonus feature? Joe's instructional essay at the end. Perfect for using as a mentor text.

[Lara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Of course I love the message--don't judge a book by its cover (or a dog by its appearance, rather). And I'm glad that this book has a happy ending and that Spike finds an owner who loves him just the way he is. I wish all dog stories had such happy endings! But the illustrations really turned me off. I mean, really. That's just a personal preference though, and I certainly don't think kids are going to be as picky as I am!

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

#nerdlution day 50. 3.5 stars for the heartwarming, happy ending. Lots of things happen to Spike - winning a contest, being abandoned by his owner, taken in by the neighbor, almost dropped off at the pound... The story works, big, bold collage illustrations, should appeal to young readers. The lacy bride dress works beautifully for the pedigree neighbor cat, not so sure about the ripped up blue jeans, despite the author's reasons on the jacket copy.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, as an adult, this book ripped my heart out. There were SO many lessons to be taken from this book, it isn't even funny! Don't judge a book by its cover, pet adoption vs. purchase, responsible pet ownership, including NEVER abandon your animal, etc. Empathy skills could also be learned from here.

This will definitely be a book that will go on the list for grandchildren once they come.

To boot, I loved the artwork in this book. This book was simply perfect to me.

[Lacey Weninger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers can't help but feel for Spike- the ugly and unlucky but incredibly sweet dog who is voted "Ugliest Dog in the Universe." When he finds Joe, he thinks his luck has finally changed. But it turns out, Joe's mom isn't ready for the family to have a dog. The steps Spike takes to try and gain acceptance will send you on an emotional roller coaster. But Spike's outlook on life will keep you grounded.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the story begins Spike has just won "Ugliest Dog in the Universe." Then his owner deserts him. A boy adopts him, but his mother says, no. He's headed for the dog pound. He's so desperate he asks advice from his neighbor the cat. Read yourself to find out how Spike becomes a hero and the "Most Beloved Dog in the Universe."

Rounded up for Joe's essay "How I Draw Dogs."

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spike: Ugliest Dog in the Universe is quite simply a masterpiece for the story it tells and the illustrations visualizing the words. Debra Frasier is truly gifted as both an author and illustrator. The meticulous detail within each picture is marvelous.

My full review: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...

[Shamekia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I get the feeling that this was based on a true story. However that doesn't mean that it would make a good children's book. I'm all for teaching kids about kindness to animals, but you've got to be good at it. I did enjoy the artwork, which was a patchwork of blue jeans and other media. All in all this book doesn't stand out.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner by Debra Frasier!
What would it be like to b the ugliest dog in the world? What if your owner abandons you? What will happen to Spike in this story that's uniquely illustrated in collages made from blue jeans?

[Dest · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was really cute, so I shared it at my family story time. It wasn't a super hit (just a little too long, I think), but I could tell the audience really felt for Spike and wanted him to succeed. The message is that an ugly dog can have a beautiful heart. Awww.

[Paula Hollohan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the art work - could you do some fabric artwork with your class? This book looks great and has a "not-the-run-of-the-mill" story. Use it near Earth Day to discuss recycling or just anytime you need to read a great story.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story about a boy who takes in and loves an ugly dog when the dog is abandoned by his owner. This could lead to good discussions about how pets are a responsibility not a convenience.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Martha speaks variant.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you: http://www.indiebound.org

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantasy. I love the illustrations in this book. I make quilts from my kids' old jeans and clothes. I could see myself doing these fun pieces of art. A good book about falling in love with a dog!

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spike may be an ugly dog, be he does some pretty great things for his new family that loves and appreciates him for who he is.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spike might have won the Ugliest Dog in the Universe contest, but he proves that he is brave, loyal, and smart in this story.

[Shih-mei · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for a touching dog book, but I was especially intrigued by Frasier's use of denim and other clothing materials for her illustrations. I thought that gave the book a unique look.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. Unique artwork. Only complaint is that the layout of some pages is overly busy. Made it too complicated for a child to follow.