Digby Takes Charge

by Caroline Jayne Church

After using helicopters, bulldozers, and a megaphone in his attempt to get six disobedient sheep back into their pen and not succeeding, Digby the sheepdog is just about to give up when he learns about an important word from his barnyard friends that gets the job done with great ease.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Dogs, Fiction, Spanish Literature, Animals, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Digby the sheepdog is given an easy task by the farmer. He is to herd six silly sheep into their pen. Digby tries everything he can think of to get the sheep to obey him. These sheep, however, do not like to be told where to go or what to do. They are not impressed with the sheepdog. It's not until the cows and pigs tell Digby the secret word that the sheep go into their pen.

This hilarious picture book will have children wondering what Digby will try next to get the sheep into their pen. The book teaches polite manners to children from toddlers to Pre-K.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Digby the sheepdog receives what he thinks will be an easy task: rounding up six sheep. But they Just. Won't. Listen. What can he do to make them obey?

This went over hugely well in my storytime, and the pictures are hilarious. The text is very short, though, and the concept is not exactly complex, so this one should probably be paired with a mroe complicated book unless the group is very young.

[Malinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Digby is a sheep herding dog who is trying to heard six sheep. In a very funny and cute book, Digby learns the hard way about herding sheep. Once he gets helps from others, he learns the benefits to using his manners.

I loved this book! It is a great book for teaching manners. I most definitely would recommend this book to others. It could be used in Prek-3 classroom. My son is four years old and this is one of this favorite books. The story is funny and short--but straight to the point. I loved how it makes you think as an adult about the tone of your voice and the effect your words could have on another person.

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Digby the sheepdog is new on the job and the sheep won’t listen to him. He tries everything to get them into the sheep pen, but the sheep don’t like being told what to do. He tries everything he can think of to persuade them, including his sternest face, a bulldozer and an even an airplane. They still won’t go. Finally, the other farm animals give him the magic word. “Please” works every time.

This short, humorous book with simple but expressive illustrations teaches a simple lesson that everyone needs to know. Great for toddlers and up.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a new sheepdog on the farm. He wants to be good at his job, but every time he tells the sheep to get in the pen NOW, they don't do it. He can't figure it out until the other animals on the farm tell him the secret--say PLEASE!

Good for preschool or toddler storytimes.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are adorable! And this is a fun, cute story that will remind kids to try saying please.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story of Digby, a new sheepdog, as he learns how to get the sheep to do what he needs. (Hint: it involves being polite!)

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really cute book with cute illustrations. When the dog was sad it broke my heart. That's how good the illustrations are. The sheep are so stinkin cute too! This book made me smile because of how cute it is. If you couldn't tell, I find this book very cute XD

SPOILERS:

So the dog, Digby, is in charge of watching sheep and bringing them into the pen/barn, but the sheep don't listen. The dog tries different ways, even riding an army tank (which I was not a fan of). Eventually the dog gets the sheep to listen when the other farm animals tell the dog the secret to getting them to go where you want them to. It was to ask the animal nicely if they can go into the pen. The ending also made me laugh because of the ducks.

[Shaunterria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phrases to describe Digby Takes Charge: simple illustrations, easy to follow story, funny ending. This book was a hit at a storytime that was decidedly boy-heavy; they loved the tank and the helicopter. Digby the sheepdog is new to the farm and cannot figure out how to get the sheep to go in their pen. Luckily for him, the other barnyard animals are willing to share the secret. This is a good read-aloud for the pre-k set, especially for those still learning the power of the word "please."

[Annie Weiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Digby Takes Charge is a book that teaches a life lesson to little children from a young age. When you would like something or asking for something, always say please. The story tells about a dog who needs to heard sheep into a pen and does everything in his power to do what the farmer wants. He tried all of his tactics except the one you would least expect, to say please. The author created a book for kids to enjoy with animals and learn basic manors.

[Haaley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Say please

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for teaching manners

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Digby learns to say please to the sheep.

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super great book

[Little Champs]

Big 73

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw the cover of this book, I immediately recognized the illustrator from the book Story Of My Feelings, so I just had to borrow it from my library.

The story was borderline too 'baby-ish' for our girls, but they liked it nonetheless and the adorable illustrations, created using collage and acrylic, had a lot to do with it, I'm sure.

It's a cute story about being polite and saying please and brings home the message that a little manners goes a long way.

We've read this book a few times.

[Jayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ages 2 and up

Digby is a very good sheepdog, but at his new farm he cannot get the sheep to go in the pen when he tells them to. He tries and tries, but to no avail. Finally one of the other animals on the farm tell him the secret to get the sheep to listen to them. Digby then says "please" and the sheep happily go into their pen.

This would be a good book to talk about manners and how we should talk to other people.

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this illustrator and recognized her work right away at story time. This book was cute. The dog tries to herd the sheep a number of humorous ways. I missed the ending though. I'm guessing that it was a simple twist kind of like Babe, to talk to the sheep nicely.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations were really adorable.

[Edna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Digby the sheep dog after a few unsuccessful attempts finally finds out the best way to herd sheep. Really sweet story with simple text and cute cartoon-y illustrations.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute read on the importance of using manners.

[Jessica L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Digby is a sheepdog in charge of herding six sheep. It's supposed to be easy, but Digby forgets his manners!

This could be used in a lower level elementary school to teach manners.

[Nicole C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this for free in a cereal box. Cute illustrations. Great way to teach very young children manners.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really adorable book. The art was simplistic but cute, Digby was likable despite the book being such a short one, and the message was good.

[Leyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so cute! Digby is a must-have!! This story teaches a great lesson on manners and Jen knew the difference. Proud mama.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cute one the kiddos loved!

[Liz Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta say please!

Great illustration of problem solving too!

[Joshua Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Digby Takes Charge is the story of a dog who has just became a worker dog and must round up all of the sheep on the farm. He thinks that it will be very easy, but is surprised when it is in fact very difficult. He tries everything that he can to round them up but he simply can not do it. In the end he takes some advice from other animals and is finally able to succeed. I like this book because it shows how much it pays off to be persistent and how sometimes it is okay to take help from others.