Three Stories You Can Read to Your Dog

Three Stories

by Sara Swan Miller, True Kelley (Illustrator)

Three hilarious stories in easy-reader format about things dogs understand best -- burglars, bones, and running free -- with lively pictures of dogs doing exciting things. "Humans will find these selections entertaining even without a hound present -- but it's always nice to share." -- Publishers Weekly

Genres: Childrens, Short Stories, Fiction, Picture Books, Animals, Dogs, Juvenile

48 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 1997

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hello, my name is Oliver. I am a 5-year-old cardigan corgi who lives with your regular reviewer Karen, my Mom. She said I could review this book, since it is a story that is supposed to be read to dogs.

The other day my Mom went out to her big box outside, which she calls her Little Free Library Shed to check it, and she came running back inside with a whole pile of what she calls books and said…

“Oliver, look at all these wonderful donations of children’s books for the Little Free Library Shed! And, out of all the donations, here is a book for you and Oscar.”

Oh yeah, Oscar. He is my annoying nearly 2-year-old cardigan corgi, cousin. If you want to see a picture of us you can go to my Moms’ page.

Anyway, my Mom, came running in with this book, and she said, “I have to read this one to you and Oscar.”

So, we jumped up on our favorite chair next to Mom in front of the fireplace. Mom began to read. And as she read, she showed us the pictures, too.

To be honest, we fidgeted. It was hard to keep our attention. This dog didn’t look anything like us. I kept growling at him.

But Mom was enthusiastic and as Mom read the words, all of a sudden, she growled, “bark, bark.” When she did, both Oscar and I would throw our head to one side with our ear’s alert not sure if the dog had found its way through the pages. Was this a magical book?

There are 3 stories to read, and they were quick, and the last story made my Mom upset. She wanted to be sure that Oscar and I never chose to be wild dogs. I didn’t understand what she meant, but I don’t ever want my Mom to be upset.

So, how was the book?

Well, any book that has your Mom reading to you, is okay by me. They aren’t perfect stories, but they have good intentions, my Mom said.

Oh, did I tell you she helped me write this review? She is good that way.

I am sure you guessed it is kind of hard to type on a computer keyboard, using your paws.🐾

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I saw this book sitting at the library, I knew that I had to take it home and read it to my dog. It was wonderful. My dog loved it, as did I.

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope

Some will enjoy this but you'll have page after page with the same words being shown in small lettering with picture while also showing same words in big letters. I'll stick to talking to my 3 dogs.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three stories told from the voice of the dog's owner, but very much endeared to the perspective of the dog.

[Jocie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henry liked the first story a lot. Jasper wanted to eat the book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

26 months - this was my step-son's book. He enjoyed reading them to our dog Maddie... Now many years later we're reading them to her again with Olivia. Always fun.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son loved reading this to our dog.

[Scooter Reads]

Momma read dis book to me before. Is okay. Momma reads better books to me now. I like to curl up wif Momma and listen. I luffs Momma.

[Simone Ostler · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about three stories that you can read to your dog, stories that they can relate to. The first story was about a dog barking at the door to scare away a burglar. The second story is about a dog who receives a bone from its owner and then dreams about a bone tree. The third story is about a dog deciding it wants to be "wild" and runs away, later coming back to its owner. The major theme of this book is creativity. I gave this book two stars because although it was creative there wasn't any lessons to be learned or real benefit from it. I thought it was a cute book that I could imagine a child reading to their pet and having a fun time. I would recommend this book to children who want to practice their reading aloud skills. This is a book that young children could have fun reading aloud to their dog.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun for beginning readers. DRA 16

[m · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should probably make my Goodreads goal higher if I'm putting picture books as read SHDSJH

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bone is a cute, lovely story.

[Brooke Weisbrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute little book! Forgot I had it and so happy I gave it a read again.

[Meghen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does your dog sleep a lot? Do you know why? Maybe your dog is bored. When you feel bored, you can read a book. But dogs can't read. Here's a good way to make your dog happy. You can read these stories out loud. Your dog will like them. They are about the things that dogs understand best. Don't forget to pet your dog while you read. Dogs like that almost as much as hearing stories."

My pup and I cuddled up to read this book. He thoroughly enjoyed it. The stories are about barking to protect the house, burying bones, and pretending to be a wild dog. My pup enjoyed reading about these topics from a dog's point of view and recommends this book to all other dogs.

[S.j.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying I am not a fan of second-person point-of-view. That is probably the main reason I didn't give this book 5 stars. I am glad it wasn't in present or future tense at least. 2nd person, future tense is the worst, in my opinion.

POV aside, the three stories are engaging. I understand why the story is written in 2nd POV and enjoyed pretending to be the dog. The dog's thought process reminded me very much of the dog from Up by Disney. I love the dog in that movie. SQUIRREL!

[Jennifer Oaks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how the story was told from a dog's perspective. The story is pretty predictable because all three stories describe situations that are stereotypical of dogs such as the dog being a good watch dog and loving bones.

[Kendra · Rating 1 out of 5]

1. I can't believe Houghton Mifflin brought this out. I'm fine with the idea of stories to read to your dog, but this is terrible.
2. And they want $15 for it. No wonder publishing firms are going belly-up.

[Boni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable book and my son loved reading it to the dog :)

[Ruth Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginning readers will love this book because the three stories are like three chapters. The unique part of this book is that the stories are each told from the dog's point of view.

[Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned that dogs like books. C.

[Kira · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was funny and weird

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious.