Dixie and the Good Deeds: A Heartwarming Picture Book About a Puppy, Friendship, and Mistakes for Children (Ages 4-8)

Dixie

by Grace Gilman, Sarah McConnell (Illustrator)

Beginning readers devoted to such characters as Henry and Mudge, Clifford, and Marley will adore this Dixie adventure, Dixie and the Good Deeds . Dixie the puppy faces many of the problems elementary school kids do. She wants to be good, but she makes mistakes. She worries about whether she’ll be able to make new friends. She doesn’t understand why bullies can’t just be nice. She wishes she could spend all her time with her BFF, Emma, and feels left out when she can’t. In Dixie and the Good Deeds , Emma takes on more volunteering projects in her community than she can handle. It’s up to Dixie to come to the rescue. Full-color illustrations by Sarah McConnell add to the humor in this story by Grace Gilman.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 23, 2013

About the author

Grace Gilman is a former children's book editor. She lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a coincidence, that is absolutely not a coincidence!

Will it surprise you, Goodreaders, that Dixie the puppy has so many problems that are similar to those of your typical readers of a Level 1 reader?

Let me count the ways.

1. Dixie wants to be good, yet she makes mistakes.

2. Dixie worries about succeeding at making new friends.

3. Imagine, Dixie doesn't like bullies.

4. And Dixie wishes that she could spend all her time with her buddy, Emma.

SUCH SHAMELESS ANTHROPOMORPHISM

Let's recall, we adults, that Dixie is supposed to be A DOG.

Hellooooooooooooooooooooooo.

RATING THIS BOOK

The annoying part is that, of course, eager new readers haven't yet acquired the lexical item, ANTHROPOMORPHISM. They'll likely adore this book.

Since I rate books in terms of likely reactions from the intended audience for a book, I'll have to give it FIVE STARS.

Even though this shamelessly pandering, manipulative book creeps me out. Personally. Grace Gilman, can't you even try to do something better than this drivel?

[Asho · Rating 2 out of 5]

L will be going into kindergarten later this year so I'm starting to try to get her a bit more interested in doing her own pre-reading. I thought these books would be appealing since they feature a dog. I've already forgotten how irritating it is to read these early reader books out loud, though. Tedious! At least this one featured a dog trying to help with a volunteer day, which L thought was pretty entertaining.

[Darius Billings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dixie saved the day! There was a rabbit with Dixie. I just like Dixie.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dixie loves her Emma and always wants to play and help. Mid-way through the book I wondered if Emma would ever find time for Dixie, but she definitely did. Dixie was able to help in a very appropriate way. Then in a way it happens again when Emma doesn't expect it. Different from Marley's Storybook Treasury yet full of dog-loving fun.

[Deidra Elijah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was alright. Dixie was a very helpful dog and she decided everywhere Emma went for the day, she was going to do. I loved the end when Emma got on stage to perform her magic tricks and like almost every child, she go nervous. Knowing hat Dixie as her comforter in her time of need made the story great!

[Logan Leftridge · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was boring.

[Caleb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Caleb (age 4): "The only part I liked was that Dixie brought the bunny back for her trick. That's it."

[Alina Lu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dixie helps Emma to finish her magic show, which is cool.

[Mariah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am helping someone learn to read and read this with that person. It is easy to forget how much I read everyday and how much of a blessing it is to be able to read.