Me Dog: with audio recording

by Gene Weingarten, Eric Shansby (Illustrations)

This endearing friendship story about a boy and his dog from a Pulitzer Prize–winning writer gently explores a timeless who’s really in charge?Meet Sid. He’s an ordinary kid. He’s far from perfect. But to Murphy, Sid’s faithful dog, Sid is the whole world. Murphy thinks Sid is the absolute best—and that he’s in charge of everything. Sid loves Murphy right back, but he can’t help but wonder what Murphy would think if he realized the Sid’s just a kid, and Murphy’s just a dog, and neither one can control the world. This deceptively simply picture book is the perfect start to a discussion about a subject seldom seen in children’s books—the nonthreatening feel of a world based on fact and reason, and not faith.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Animals, Childrens, Friendship, Religion, Storytime

48 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2014

About the author

A Pulitzer Prize winning reporter and humorist for the Washington Post and author of a number of books.

Reviews

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fully expect this book to not get the star review rating I think it deserves because a number of people are offended by the message in this book. However, there are scores of picture books on my library shelves that advocate for a wide variety of beliefs, and this is the first I've seen that gently approaches the idea of atheism. I am very pleased to offer something that is not didactic and boring.

Cute and playful, Me & Dog is about Sid and his dachshund, Murphy. Sid is just a kid, but Murphy sees Sid as lord and king of everything. That Sid gives him all the good things in life and anything bad that happens is Sid punishing Murphy for being bad. But Sid says that sometimes, things just happen. Sid isn't in charge, and maybe nobody is. But that's okay, cause Sid loves Murphy, and Murphy loves Sid.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good explanation of atheism for kids.

Library copy

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: Kindergarten-2nd grade

A nice addition to pet dog books. Sid tries to figure out why dogs are so obedient--especially to such ordinary kids like himself. According to his dog Murphy, Sid is Supreme Almighty Ruler and King of Absolutely Everything. But what if Murphy didn't actually think this? How would he behave? Sid doesn't want to risk it and asks his readers to keep it a secret.

Although I didn't catch it the first time around, Sid does question the existence of an almighty being, stating "I sometimes think there is no boss that most things happen just...because." So, I can see the presence of atheism but I can also see that it works well with the topic, the illustrations are well done, and the story carries itself well throughout the book. It's crazy, I know, but I can read books like "God Found Us You" and appreciate it even though I don't align myself with a religion. It's as if I'm not a bigot and I can recognize that all audiences deserve to have a presence in children's literature.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of the people who don't like this book seem to not like it because they think it is promoting atheism. Some of the people who like it seem to think the same thing. I don't see it that way; it's a book which asks the simple question, is anyone in charge? Granted, that is the first step on the road to atheism and agnosticism, but it's also the first step on the road to a deeper understanding of your faith. If you want to instill unquestioning belief into your child, this isn't the book for you, but if you want them to think about faith and what God may mean to them, or not mean to them, it's a great book, mainly because it doesn't attempt to provide an answer to the question. The strongest statement it makes is that in the end, whether you decide it's just us and dog, or us and God, the important thing is that we love one another.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I do not think this is a children's book, because it does not read as if it is meant for them. OK, the language is juvenile but I suspect the author was trying to be clever. The rhymes were forced, and I never bought into the underlying concept of the dog worshipping an infallible (in the dog's mind) boy. Also, the whole book reads like a co-dependent abusive relationship which is just creepy, especially in what is pretending to be a children's book.

[Dimity Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet fairly accurate summation of the dog and little boy psyche suggesting that in the eyes of a loved one, we are all perfect when, of course, that is not always the case. We all have our shortcomings and weakness but it's not necessary to dwell on these - friends and family focus on ones shining qualities. So should you. Acceptance and friendship cheerfully illustrated in verse and pictures.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calling this a story is a bit misleading. This is more a stream of consciousness, addressed to you, the Reader. Basically, the boy muses on the similarity between the way his dog, Murphy, acts towards the boy and the way people in general acts towards religion. We really need books in the collection that addresses the needs of agnostics and atheists and this does the job superbly. It can be used for almost any juvenile age group I think. I'm waiting to hear if we get any challenges to this title or not since I'm in a fairly conservative area. I'm pleased to see many copies are currently checked out.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sid is an ordinary kid. Murphy is his dog, who thinks Sid is "Supreme Almighty Ruler, Super-duper, boss, and king of absolutely everything... Murphy thinks when thing go bad, he must have somehow made me mad. Happy things get understood as his reward for being good." However, Sid claims, "It isn't true!...I'm not in charge!" "That most things happen just...because." However, Sid isn't sure Murphy would be as good, if Murphy understood...

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a legitimate introduction to kids about the idea that there is no god. I would actually recommend it for atheist parents if they ever asked me for a book that represented where they were coming from metaphysically.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was so true and too cute!!!

[CT Mahoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Me & Dog” was created by Gene Weingarten (writer) and Eric Shansby (illustrator). Representative of the story, the end pages show scenes of interconnectedness between the main character and his dog. Within these uniform end pages, there are four rows of the main character and his dog connected by ampersands (&). Within the borderless frames of the story, there is a lot of empty space on each scene. This relates to some of the themes present in the story: What is our place in the world? What is love? There are allusions to believing or not believing in a higher being. The boy sees that he is his dog’s protector in the world (almost like a god). From thinking about his dog’s perspective, the boy contemplates his place in the world—and with his dog.
Within each illustration, the characters are at the forefront of the illustration. The main character’s images are magnified in some pictures and reduced in size in other pictures. This is done to intensify the action/situation the character is in each page. In addition, the lack of a border suggests more freedom, possibly a metaphor of the child’s life. Through various scenes, the background colors change within the book, but on the outside of the book, the blue dust jacket is the same as the book cover in color and images (hues of blues). As the story progresses the images become less confused—which leads up to the conclusion. One side is void of an image, but the opposite opening page has both characters together. This is final image is very similar to the book cover—except the protagonist is looking at his dog with a smile.

[Colleen Dougherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gene Weingarten effortlessly captured how dogs worship us even though we're just us and nothing special. Eric Shansby's illustrations were beautiful and add to the already exceptional story. One of the things I look for in a picture book are the illustrations that go beyond just the story. Shansby has drawn a cup stuffed full of pencils and scissors, a worm falling out of an apple, a wheelbarrow full of items (and much more) that can be used to discuss or to be used as a seek and find game. A beloved book has a story that is loved and fun things for children to find. I love this book!
As for the message...I don't care either way. To each their own!

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book and for the most part I enjoyed it. I will say it is not a book to read after you put your own dog down.
The illustrations are simple and sweet with some really funny parts. The text really goes well with the images (or is it the other way around, it doesn't matter they match each other well) as the text is also simple, sweet and funny.
Despite the simplicity of the illustrations they really capture the essence of dog and a dogs personality.
This is a book I would absolutely recommend to kids and those who like to read picture books.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am grateful that books like this exist, but I don't think this would be one I'd use to explain atheism or agnosticism to my kid. I didn't like the dog/person comparison and I really didn't like the illustration when the kid stepped on the dog's tail. Yes, it's one picture in the entire book, but I'm very sensitive to the mistreatment of animals and it bothered me a lot.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A parable for the nonbeliever. There are so many children’s books with a Christian worldview. This one begins to fill the gap that exists for picture books for secular/humanist/agnostic/atheist families. It’s clever and thoughtful and full of doubt and questioning. Love it.

[Cheryl]

Never mind the 'questioning of faith' message, is this another Giving Tree, in which love sacrifices too much? I hope to get a chance to read it and find out.

[Patrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quickest and cutest read ever. About a boy and his dog. As simple as that.

[Lauren Kramer-Theuerkauf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me & Dog by Gene Weingarten is the heartfelt tale of a boy named Sid and his beloved Dachshund, Murphy. Sid takes the reader on a journey through Murphy's mind, explaining why he thinks the way that he does. What Sid is having trouble understanding is why Murphy loves him so much.

Does Murphy think that Sid is a king? The ultimate master of everything? Or perhaps another type of ruler instead of just a normal grade schooler.

I fell in love with this book from the very first page! Owning a Dachshund myself (along with four other dogs and a cat), Weingarten completely captures the psyche of a dog. I found myself nodding along with all of the very accurate descriptions of Murphy's thoughts and behaviors.

Additionally, Eric Shansby's illustrations are truly breathtaking. Children will definitely be able to relate to Sid and will certainly want to give Murphy a hug. This book will delight children and dog lovers of any age and has become one of my favorite children's books of all time.

[Debrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rhyming picture book about an "ordinary kid" who loves his dog, and the dog who worships him, which, as the cover flap says, "can lead to misunderstandings." This is a cheerful and sees-no-need-to-be-subtle book for kids proposing, essentially, atheism. (And considering how many picture books proposing God are out there for kids, it's certainly a useful addition to the literature.) Murphy (the dog) thinks bad things happen because Sid (the kid) is mad at him, but as the reader understands, sometimes it just rains or Sid accidentally steps on Murphy's tail -- stuff just happens. The pair even walk in front of a church as Sid wonders aloud what would happen if Murphy understood that "I am not the lord and king." I found the ending a bit ambivalent on message, though, or maybe just gentle about believers: would Murphy freak out if he learned the truth? "So let's not tell him I'm just Sid, a very ordinary kid. It seems to work out perfectly 'cause I love him and he loves me."

[Maughn Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this brilliant picture book a little boy moves from feeling bad that his dog Murphy mistakenly thinks of him as an omniscient and omnipotent being, to concluding that, in fact, there probably is no one in charge of the universe purposely making good and bad things happen to us.

"Murphy thinks when things to bad,
he must have somehow made me mad.
Happy things get understood
as his reward for being good.
It isn't true! The world is large.
And I'm a kid. I'm not in charge!
I sometimes think there is no boss --
that most things happen just ... because.
Murphy, though, does not agree --
he sits around and worships me!
He thinks that if he beg enough,
I' will give him lots of stuff --"

This is a wonderful stimulus for a philosophical discussion with children about Santa Clause, atheism, and the Pope's attempts to separate spirituality from magical thinking.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is interesting, and I think could lead to quite a few thoughtful discussions in adults/older students, but I'm not sure younger kids would pick up at all on the subtext of an allegory for religious beliefs here - they might just see it as how their dog is with them - so I'm not totally sure on the audience for this one. Rhyming text and simple, but cute, illustrations comprise this picture book, which could be useful for 8th grade teachers wanting a simple way to introduce allusion/allegory.

[Adam Beckham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not often count or review the children's books I read for my girls, but this one is an exception in that it genuinely embraces doubting and questioning the nature of the world and universe. Kids are curious little things, and while we're eager to pat them on the head and give them rote, silly answers, the truth is that they need their brains stimulated more than satiated.

Funny, sweet, and thoroughly unique.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I choose to see this book as an adorable picture book about a boy and his dog. Anyone who owns a dog will be able to relate and embrace this book.

On a deeper level there is an underlying atheistic component within this picture book. I didn't find it off-putting on any level and most likely would not mention or highlight it when reading this book to a child.

[Benjamin Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very honest look at the relationship between a boy and his pet from the perspective of a young boy. I liked the contrast between the grandiose position the boy feels the dog holds him in versus how small and insignificant he feels in the grand scheme of things. Then it circles back to a positive balanced message at the end for the reader.

[Bill · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found it impossible to accept the perspective the author gave to the child (and the dog) in this book--that the dog regarded the boy as infallible and someone to be worshipped and therefore worked to please him. Just seemed very strange to me...

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect book for a boy and his dog (as well as for all dog lovers). Me & Dog illustrates how a simple bonding can mean the world to a dog and filled with beautiful rhymes that increase the power of this relationship.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read for Librarian Book Group
When I read this book, it seemed a so-so effort about a boy and his dog. However, I totally missed the atheist message the author intended. So this is a children's book about atheism, but not an obvious children's book about atheism.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sid's dog Murphy thinks Sid is the King of Everything! He behaves because he knows he'll be rewarded, he doesn't misbehave because he knows he'll be punished. But what if he finds out that Sid is not King of Everything? Great little story about the mutual love between a boy and his dog.

[Sunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I liked this book. It talked about how murphy thought his boy was in charge and how that affected him, and encouraged readers to think how belief in god might affect them. Then it pulled a 180 and suggested that maybe he was better off that way. That's where the book lost me.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Agree with the message--sought the book out for this reason, in fact--but it was not as robust as I'd hoped for. This may be a function of age--my youngest is six, so perhaps the gentle message is best for younger children.