Bad Dog (I Like to Read) by David McPhail

I Like to Read

by David McPhail

Forgiveness and love triumph at the end of this charming, easy-to-read story of a family dog who is rarely on his best behavior.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Animals, Childrens

Paperback

First published January 14, 2014

About the author

David was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts and attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. While there, he began illustrating. He is now an award-winning author and illustrator of nearly 200 books beloved by children, parents and librarians across the United States. McPhail has garnered many prestigious awards, including a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year for Mole Music in 2001. McPhail’s other books include First Flight, which the New York Times praised as “hilarious and helpful”; and Lost!, which was chosen as an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists.

McPhail has four children, three stepchildren, and is a proud grandfather. He is married to Jan Waldron, with whom he has written and illustrated several books. He lives in Rye, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this book that's all.

-Charlotte (age 5)

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read this book again since yeah, it's such a sweet story. The very title reminds me of when I was a teenager in 1986, and they had beach t-shirts with a cute dog with pointy ears and the following words: "He wouldn't sit, wouldn't beg, wouldn't heel...he was a BAD DOG! ("And he was such a lovable puppy! How could this have happened?') David McPhail's kids book is close enough to have taken inspiration from the T shirt. The Bad Dog goes by simply Tom. Tom won't sit still, won't listen to mom or dad, gets muddy in the front yard, and even managed to trash the big screen TV in the living den. But boy can Tom HEAL when things get hurtful in the family. Very sweet and charming story with a cuddly bundle of Badass!
Four stars
Life is always intense... with LOVE...when you're with a BAD DOG!

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This nicely illustrated rhyming story is told in very easy-to-read words.
A little boy tells about his dog, Tom. Tom can do things that make people mad at him - a lot - but he also can be good. His boy loves him all the time.

[Asho · Rating 2 out of 5]

We didn't find anything special about this one. It's a very simple easy reader. The illustrations are pretty "meh". Not bad, just not particularly exciting.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children who are learning to read and love dogs (even bad dog) will enjoy this book.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bad Dog by David McPhail tells the story of a dog who is often bad but is beloved by his young owner, no matter what.

McPhail's artwork was made with pen and ink and watercolor using a wide variety of colors. Tom is shown as an active, mischievous dog, with just a few lines creating a variety of facial expressions. Many of the detailed action is shown through the illustrations.

Using just 43 words, McPhail tells the story of bad dog Tom, part of the I Like to Read beginning readers series. Speech bubbles show the dialog.

I love Tom's facial expressions. I especially loved the scrunched down picture of Tom as Mom views her flowers (with a bit of bathroom humor thrown in). Other favorite illustrations include dinner about to hit the floor, the tipped over tv, and Tom looking in the refrigerator.

The simple, repetitive text and a large font size are aimed at an emerging readers. Discussion of the action shown in the illustrations can extend vocabulary. Bad Dog is highly recommended as a beginning reader for school and public library collections. For easy readers, pets, dogs, behavior, humor, forgiveness, family and fans of David McPhail.

[Kristi Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

David McPhail never "phails" to please when it comes to his books. The illustrations, in his traditional style using pen and ink and watercolors, are warm and pleasing to the eye. The picture clues provide the young reader clues to help them predict the text while reading. The use of speech bubbles shows this book is on a little higher level than the previous titles reviewed.

Tom is a naughty dog and has been banished from the house because of his many bad deeds. However he redeems himself when the family cat is lost and Tom is the only one who can locate the other four legged family memeber. Themes associated with this title include the following: animals, easy readers, and humor.

These titles (Bad Dog, Little Ducks Go, and Look) are recommended for first grade, or children between the ages of 4 - 8. It is leveled at C based on the Fountas and Pinnell Guided Reading Level and focuses on reading standards for Literature and Foundational Skills in the English Language Arts Common Core Standards for kindergarten through second grade.

[Ting Zhang · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is appropriate for ages 4 to 7 in early childhood classrooms. The book “Bad Dog” talks about a little boy raises a dog and the name of his dog is Tom. He loves playing with Tom. But Tom can be bad. He can hog the bed, pee on the carpet, and pushed the food away from the table. He can make people become mad. The boy’s family always say, “Oh, bag dog. Tom.” The boy’s father says,” Tom must go.” The little boy feel very sad because he loves Tom and he does not want Tom leave away. One day the boy’s sister cannot find her cat. All the people cannot find her cat. Finally, Tom finds it in the tree. Mom and dad say, “Tom is good from now.” The little boy loves Tom when he is good. And he loves Tom when he is bad. This book let me think back to my childhood. When I was young, I had a naughty dog just like Tom in this story. He had many bad deeds as Tom does. He could be bad and made me mad. Even my grandmother decided to send him away. But I love him very much whenever he is good or bad. This book provides humor pictures and show the family’s forgiveness and patience.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tom is clearly a “bad dog”. Everyone tells him so and his actions back it up. He makes messes, terrorizes the cat and even manages to kill Mom’s sunflowers (with a bit of bathroom humor). He is so bad, in fact, that he faces expulsion from the family until he proves his worth to them by helping to find the missing cat. Of course, Tom’s young master loves him unconditionally and that is the point of this brief, sweet tale. The repetitive, simple text and large font are aimed at emerging readers. The repeated reprimand, "Bad dog, Tom!”, (set in a speech balloon) will become a mantra with non-readers when this title is read aloud. Youngsters can identify with Tom and his limitless curiosity. The expressive watercolor illustrations show Tom at his worst/best and the reactions of the family to his many antics are priceless. The title is pleasing on several levels and would be a welcome addition to any library or households with a dog.

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom is a bad dog. He steals shoes, makes messes, and doesn't obey. It looks like Tom's days as a member of the family are numbered. However, when Kit, the cat, disappears, it is Tom who locates her. This is an easy-reader story with a very simple text, tons of repetition, and big soft watercolor illustrations against a bright white background. Children just learning to read will find this a perfect fit.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommended for children who are just beginning to read independently. Short, simple sentences and controlled vocabulary will help new readers follow the narrative. I just felt bad for the little dog, who gets told that he is bad on nearly every page!

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute enough book with a limited number of words for beginning readers. Tom is a dog that can certainly be bad, but his young owner adores him anyway.

Minus a star for floating the idea that pets are disposable and that just "getting rid of them" is a valid option.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not so bad after all.

[Linda Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great emergent reader about a very misunderstood Tom and filled with the wonderful illustrations of David McPhail.
I Like to Read series

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's okay.

[Marissa Elera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tom is bad but he sure is cute. Another nice addition to the I Like to Read series

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Controlled vocabulary in this cute book about Tom, a dog just being a dog. Nice advice on the last page.

[Kimberly Herrin · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter got this book at her school library. She even took a test on it and got a 100% on reading it. She loves to read so no surprise there. It was a sweet and funny book for kids who love dogs.

[Clyde Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

good beginning reader.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book and I read this on my chrome book in 3 minutes 30 seconds. Thank you

[Romelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy reader with simple text and repetitive words, perfect for children learning to read.

[Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for beginner reader