Dig, Dogs, Dig: A Construction Tail

Construction-worker dogs

by James Horvath

Hop in your trucks. There's work to be done.

Get to the job site. Run, dogs, run!

Top dog Duke leads a busy work crew to a new construction site. All sorts of dogs have plenty to do before the day is out. These clever dogs will dig, haul, push, plow, and even bring in a crane to build a new park. But what happens when they find something unexpected buried deep in the ground?

James Horvath brings a new perspective to the construction "tail" with this hilarious crew of colorful dogs. Bright, detailed illustrations beg to be looked at again and again, with readers discovering something new each time.

Genres: Picture Books, Construction, Dogs, Childrens, Animals, Storytime, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 2013

About the author

James Horvath has worked as a designer and children's illustrator for more than fifteen years. In 2002 he established Jamestoons Studios (with a workforce of one) so he could focus more on his illustration. When not scratching and scribbling at his drawing table, he plays with his two young sons and wife, bangs around on the banjo, surfs, and generally has a lot of fun. A lifelong devoted cartoon fan, James Horvath lives with his family on California's Central Coast.

Reviews

[Margaret Chind · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun lyrical book full of rhymes. The illustrations are full and definitely bound to entertain and keep a young reader occupied. The humor within is definitely giggle-worthy. I wouldn't hesitate to look for something more from James Horvath in the future as this debut has pleased me.

Update: Looking forward to Build, Dogs, Build: A Tall Tail!

Thanks to HC.

[Maddypictures · Rating 5 out of 5]

Go, Dog, Go meets your favorite construction book in this entertaining rhyming picture book. The dogs living situation is a bit reminiscent of a firehouse - but these dogs are ready for some construction work instead. Even the lines such as, "Run, dogs, run!" and "Dig, dogs, dig!" reminded me of Go, Dog, Go. They uncover a dinosaur bone, while building a park that eventually the whole community can enjoy. Colorful digital illustrations with plenty of full-bleed pages are vibrant and appealing. Endpages feature a lineup of the dogs, each posed with their tools.

[Sheila Sapienza · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dig Dogs Dig," written and illustrated by James Horvath, is an excellent book! Ask my four year old grandson about it! It's a fun story to read, the rhymes and the illustrations are cheery, the story fast-moving,and the topic holds lessons on teamwork and sharing. Also, lots of new vocabulary introduced in terms of construction equipment and duties. Illustrations clearly reinforce new vocabulary. As a former educator and as a grandma, I recommend this lively book.

[Findlay Pennekamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there was a Venn Diagram and one circle was FOR BOYS WHO LOVE DOGS, another was FOR BOYS WHO LOVE TRUCKS, and a third was FOR BOYS WHO LIKE DINOSAURS -- this book would be right in the middle! Which is exactly where I am!!!!!

[Jamie (The Perpetual Page-Turner)]

Super cute! The little boy I nanny loved it because he is obsessed with construction and knows all the different equipment.

[Lana Clauser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good, the words were a bit complicated for the the level it claims to be! We love the illustrations and all the action. The forklift was pretty rad B)

[Michael N' · Rating 5 out of 5]

If P.D. Eastman's book, Go, Dog, Go! got married to Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, and they had a child, it would be named Dig, Dogs, Dig. And as wonderful as those parents are, this child would actually be smarter than it's parents and better looking too. We can't wait for the next book by James Horvath to land bedside soon!

[Larry Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the book was great. Loved the story and the pictures. My granddaughters loved the book and enjoyed looking for the hidden surprise on each page. Can't wait for the next book in what I hope will be a long series.

[Amanda Goodrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

The amazing illustrations are what brought me to this book. Giving it to my 7 year old son for Christmas and I just know he will love it!!!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 6-year-old son loves this series! It's his favorite -- combining the things he loves most -- dogs and construction.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a favorite in our house and I've read it aloud at least 2 dozen times (if not more). There are several aspects of this book that I enjoy. The pages have a lot going on in them that make it enjoyable for multiple reads. e.g., you can usually find something new in the page. I first read this book to my son when he was 2 but now that he is nearly 4, we read it in a different way. Originally, it was reading the book and looking at the pictures. Now that he is older, it's "can you find this object?" "Can you find the dog with a coffee cup?" "Which dog is making pancakes?" and of course, "Can you find Jinx the cat?" Jinx is usually on every single page though sometimes he's quite difficult to find. The meter of the rhyming text is pleasant and the story is easy to learn which makes reading the book together fun.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why does the only female construction worker have to be pink? And why is she the only one drawn with eyelashes?! It was also bothersome how it gave a such a distorted view of construction (dogs covered in wet cement, prying a T.Rex bone out of the ground & displaying it outside, sleeping in a wheelbarrow, building a whole park start-to-finish in one day, etc.). I realize it's not supposed to be realistic...it is talking dogs after all...but it would be nice if there was something "real" we could learn from this book. Other than rhyming words, there was no real content.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The crew of construction dogs works together to make a park.

This book in rhyme doesn't just show dogs working, it manages to explain quite succinctly and well how each construction vehicle works (what specific jobs they are best at), and it does it all in rhyme! The illustrations are very attractive, and littles who love watching construction vehicles will adore this book. Also good for rhyming story fans and dog lovers.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rhyming text just feels rushed to me, even reading it in my head I kept speeding up and speeing up.The illustrations are the best part of this book, humorous and detailed. However, the detail is what makes this one not really appropriate for a group read aloud. This book is just made to sit and pour over the illustrations.

[Daniel Fevrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute book and it introduced my son to some new words.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A construction crew of dogs is busy clearing a plot of land and running into trouble. Can they get the job done? Length is one on one or preschool and up

[Neurocomp · Rating 4 out of 5]

3rd book just as good as the other 2 for the nephew
but i'm strating not to liek reading them repetively....but its great the nephew is finishing the sentecs himself.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but I'm not sure it's right for my preschoolers.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Construction dogs build a park. Perfect for kids who love machinery and dogs! Told in rhyme.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is our current favorite nightly read-alouds. My son loves all things to do with construction. For the most part the words are rhythmic and flow well together.

[Valleri · Rating 3 out of 5]

While entertaining and rhythmically easy to read, this book is just "okay". I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys learning about various kinds of trucks.

[Y.Poston]

cute

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book with a nice variety of construction vehicles. Fun to find out what they were building.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Zahro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hahahaha anjing lulusan teknik sipil

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

“My favorite part was that they were building! I also liked they used a rock splitter, it’s like a jackhammer but bigger and you drive it” - Luke

[Nanny B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story
Fun illustrations

[Josh Campeau · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good lyrical story of dogs working on a construction site. Definitely more a story for the construction loving kid, than the dog loving one. Best for ages 4-7.

[Teresa Fricke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is about construction workers day except they are dogs! I think this is a fun picture book for toddlers/preschoolers to follow along with! The kids I work with are around the age of 4 and loved this book when I read it to them! Beginning readers can also look at the pictures and connect the pictures to words. If you like construction and/or dogs, I would recommend this book!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice rhyming book about construction dogs. Bright illustrations.