The Five-Dog Night

by Eileen Christelow

When Old Betty tries to advise Ezra on how to survive the cold winter nights, Ezra rebuffs her concerns because he has his own private source of warmth.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Dogs, Animals, Friendship, Fiction

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Eileen Christelow is an acclaimed American author and illustrator of children’s books, best known for her beloved Five Little Monkeys series. Beginning with Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, a playful retelling of the classic nursery rhyme, the series has captivated generations of young readers with its humor and rhythmic storytelling. Over the course of her career, Christelow has published more than 30 books, encompassing both fiction and nonfiction, and many inspired by her surroundings in Vermont, her family life, and even her dog, Emma.
Born in Washington, D.C. in 1943, Christelow spent her formative years in Connecticut and briefly in Japan, where she attended the American School in Tokyo. She studied architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, a discipline that would influence her later work in design and illustration. After working for several years as a freelance photographer, she turned her focus to writing and illustrating picture books while raising her daughter in California. Her earliest works, Henry and the Red Stripes and Mr. Murphy’s Marvelous Invention, were published by Clarion Books in the early 1980s.
Christelow’s books often celebrate storytelling, curiosity, and mischief, appealing to children and educators alike. Titles like What Do Authors Do?, What Do Illustrators Do?, and Vote! provide engaging nonfiction content for young readers, while others such as Letters From a Desperate Dog and The Great Pig Escape draw on humorous real-life scenarios. Her works have received numerous accolades and several Five Little Monkeys titles have been translated into Spanish and Chinese.
She continues to live and work in East Dummerston, Vermont, in a home designed by her husband, where she draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the state. Christelow remains a cherished voice in children’s literature, with a lasting legacy of entertaining and educating young readers.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two elderly neighbors discover an alternative heating source, AND, how to get along. A fun story with wonderful illustrations.

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute and funny story about an older man and woman who grouch at each other because they don't know how to tell each other they like their company.

The five dog night comes from how cold the night is can be measured by how many dogs you need to sleep with you to keep warm.

I've actually thought about this myself to an extent, although it can be a two or four dog night for other reasons such as sadness or loneliness. I've always wondered if that's how the band got it's name.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cantankerous elderly man is repeatedly offered blankets by a neighbor who is concerned about him in the cold weather, but he rebuffs her efforts because he has his own unusual solution for keeping warm. The conflict between them is humourous and a good resolution is achieved in the end, with the characters learning from each other. The expressiveness of the illustrations enhances the story.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so charming. A great book for any dog lovers out there! I loved the illustrations and the sparse, simple dialogue between crotchety old Ezra and his concerned neighbor from down the hill--Betty, and the turn of events as the seasons change and the story develops. I laughed out loud!

[Annika Matthias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming from a person who has read this book twice a day for the last 6 months, I have some strong opinions! I am so impressed that I am still picking out new lessons for my toddler from this story. What a wholesome read! Ezra is an elderly, grouchy bachelor who lives with his 5 dogs. He has a neighbor named Betty who visits him nearly every day. Ezra takes her for granted and has a bad attitude about her way of disturbing him daily. Betty brings cookies, which are a welcomed treat by Ezra and all 5 dogs. A great lesson in this book is to appreciate those around you. Another lesson is that animals make nice pets, but they don't replace people (a rare lesson to find anywhere nowadays.) A third lesson from this book is to be kind no matter how you are treated in return. Betty not only checks on Ezra and brings him cookies, but she also brings him a blanket (which looks like a homemade quilt from the illustration.) Eileen Christelow adds an important detail when Betty thinks Ezra is in trouble, she goes right over before she even eats breakfast. Betty is a good example of putting others before yourself. A fourth lesson is to use your resources. My fifth lesson is to be quick to forgive. My 1-year old never tires of this creative story. He loves when we use different voices for Ezra and Betty. This book fully deserves all 5 stars!

[Donna Mork · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable story about an old man who lived alone with 5 dogs. The old woman down the hill would visit him. As it got colder, she worried he'd get cold. But with his dogs for company that didn't happen. He got mad one day and yelled at her. So she left. When spring came, he realized he missed her. So he made cookies and went to visit her. They made up. The temperature was measured in how many dogs it took to keep you warm at night. :-)

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may have been whining about how my cats can get "too personal" with me in bed when my friends Chris & Kristin asked if I knew this book. Oh, this is so sweet. Ezra keeps warm, even on the bitterest of winter nights, with his fabulous dogs. Concerned (and maybe nosy?) Betty tries to take care of Ezra. She learns a lesson by getting five dogs of her own, haha. Then their friendship can resume. Loved this!!

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cantankerous Ezra bickers with his neighbor Old Betty who lives down the hill, who shows concern as she warns him about the changing weather. She stops visiting him, after he runs her off and he realizes that he misses her, and visits her in the Spring. This story was inspired by an elderly Vermont man who relied on his many dogs for warmth during the cold winter nights.

[Kenson and kirra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book so much I made my mom and dad read it twice. i really like it when my dad reads to me because he does funny voices. i wish i could sleep with my dog. She is warm and cuddly too.

[Nichole · Rating 1 out of 5]

Two stubborn, angry old people constantly bother and annoy each other. They are both rude to each other over and over. Not interested in ever reading this book again.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more people to have read this book. Measuring the weather by how many dogs it takes to keep you warm is the only method I choose to recognize.

[Melinda Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

My BFF said something that made me think of this book! Plus, all the grand dogs were here last night and slept in bed with us! It was a 4 dog night!! :)

[Emily Sefcheck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kdg-2nd Grade
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

This sweet tale engages students interest in animals and weather. It masters the art of using pictures to tell the story in conjunction with the words. I recommend this book for any primary grade teacher!

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story to read with the kiddos during winter. Ezra and Betty have a quirky relationship. I don't want to spoil it for anyone, just try it out. Great illustration and character development. This would make a great character development lesson with the k-2 students as they watch the changes in Ezra. Love this book!

[Sara King · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grade Level: PreK- 3rd
Genre: Contemporary Realistic

I think the Five-Dog Night is such a delightful book that is sure to excite young readers. I loved the story line and thought I flowed really well. I also enjoyed the illustrations as I thought they added a lot of interest to book.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very humorous tale that literally about the warmth and comfort our pets give us. The narrative is very entertaining and the illustrations are colorful and complement the story nicely. I loved the different perspectives of the cold weather between the man and the woman and the way they interact. Although the book is not necessarily set in Maine, I imagined it taking place there. We really enjoyed reading this story together.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A grumpy old man lives with his dogs at the top of the hill. A kindly woman lives at the bottom of the hill. As the weather becomes colder, the woman brings blankets on several occasions for the grumpy man. He shoos her away, using his dogs for warmth. She finally understands that he doesn't want her around, so stops coming. He realizes he misses her visits. Cute, and a great way to introduce a fun idiom.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute book and would serve as a good read aloud about being nosy. It could even serve as a good read for misunderstood intentions! I have definitely had moments when my good intentions were taken the wrong way. If left unresolved, a minor issue could leave a severe wedge between friends. This was a cute read and any dog lover would enjoy this :)

[Erik Erickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story inspired by a real account of a man in VT who used his dogs to keep warm at night. The author made an easy to read book with Yankee thrift as a theme. Illustrations left something to be desired but the book has a classic feel even though it was published in 1993.

[KarenMLISt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, I love elderly folks. And this book captures their spirit in the most charming way! I also love dogs so I was always intrigued by the title of this book when I'd see it on the shelf. Well I won't spoil anything except to say....read it!

[Skylar Burris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old fogies quarrel over cold weather.

[Laura5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have been re-reading this one a lot at our house lately.

[Colby Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved that both characters in the book were older.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story compares the coldness to dogs. Children can tell how cold it is by counting the dogs on the bed and the story bring a warmness to the classroom during winter time.

[Megan Saben · Rating 4 out of 5]

lighthearted story of good intentions, misunderstanding and friendship. I like the believable characters, how the illustrations contribute to the story and the reconciliation twist at the end.

[Candi Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

this story of reluctant friendship and love of pets is funny and adorable.

[Dawn]

A wonderful story enjoyed by me and my granddaughter !