Seadog

by Claire Saxby, Tom Jellett (Illustrations)

A lively and entertaining picture book about a scruffy but lovable pet dog with an aversion to grooming

 

Our dog is not a clean dog,

a shiny or a fluffy dog.
Our dog is a seadog . . .

 

Seadog loves to chase birds and find and roll around in fish but doesn't like to take baths. But even this dog knows the importance of getting clean and will stay still until he's all cleaned up. Full of humor and warmth, this book is written in an easy verse style making it great for reading aloud. Not since Harry the Dirty Dog has there been such a lovable puppy with such an aversion to grooming.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2013

About the author

An Australian writer of fiction, non fiction and poetry for children

Reviews

[Beth Copland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Saw it read on Play School here in Australia and just had to buy it for a little boy I know with his very own 'seadog'. The illustrations are perfect, capturing the idiosyncratic natures of our iconic red kelpies and echoing the charming style of vintage picture book classics such as the Harry the Dirty Dog and Clifford stories, as well as the quirky canines in James Thurber's cartoons. The simple yet lyrical language resonates with the author's appreciation of all good things doggish. If you can't get a dog, get this book. And if you can get a dog, get the book as well and read it to the dog in those few peaceful, post-bath minutes...until someone opens the door...

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous in every way. Claire Saxby's language romps along like a dog jumping waves. Perfect for reading aloud.

Tom Jellett just gets better with every book he does. Colour you could eat. Scribbly, energetic, characterful line. Lively, varying composition on each page. Texture. Lots of white space that isn't white.

It would be a fantastic read-aloud for a fairly wide age range, throughout primary-aged kids. It could also be used as a writing workshop tool for older children.

[Alex Fairhill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dog with a big personality! Action-packed at the start, calming at the end (with a twist). My son (6) loved Seadog - we have to get a dog just like him, apparently - and the words are perfect for those just starting to read by themselves. The illustrations work well with Seadog's 'not a shiny and fluffy dog' personality.

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy describes his "seadog" : "Our dog is not a fetch dog, a chase-and-bring-the-stick dog. Our dog is a seadog". The story follows the fun-loving dog playing on the beach and getting smelly. He is taken home to have a bath and becomes a clean, shiny dog... just for a short time.

Children will really like the tongue-twister descriptions and the boisterousness of the dog.

[Dimity Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pulsing with vibrancy and wet dog smell in the most joyous kind of way. Wondering if Claire has met my dog in a former life...

[Nella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple text - suitable for 18monhts+, Not keen on illustrations.

[Casuarina Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

a winning formula that has been used time and time again by many authors. We enjoyed Seadog and it instigated spontaneous storytelling about the characteristics of our own dog. win-win

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a cute book about a dog. The rhythm of the book is really good.