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Charlie the Ranch Dog (I Can Read)

Charlie the Ranch Dog: Charlie Goes to the Doctor

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Charlie the Ranch Dog's tummy hurts—so much that he doesn't even want bacon! Can Dr. Jan help Charlie get his appetite back?

32 pages, Paperback

First published June 17, 2014

5 people are currently reading
219 people want to read

About the author

Ree Drummond

49 books2,059 followers
Ree Drummond began blogging in 2006 and has built an award-winning website, where she shares recipes, showcases her photography, and documents her hilarious transition from city life to ranch wife. She is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling cookbook The Pioneer Woman Cooks . Ree lives on a working cattle ranch near Pawhuska, Oklahoma, with her husband, Ladd; their four kids; their beloved basset hound; and lots of other animals.

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5 stars
107 (37%)
4 stars
92 (32%)
3 stars
64 (22%)
2 stars
17 (6%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Kristi.
740 reviews
September 15, 2020
I read this to my nephew last night as part of his school work. He really enjoyed it.
25 reviews
July 2, 2017
Categories/Genres for this class fulfilled by this book: Easy Reader-EmergentReader

Copyright date: 2014

Estimate of age level of interest: PreK-2

Estimate of reading level: 1st/2nd Grade

Brief description: Charlie the Ranch Dog is not feeling well and nervously goes to the doctor to get checked.

Identify at least 2 characteristics of this genre and subgenre and discuss how they appear in your book.
This book is an Easy Reader and is an Emergent Reader from the I Can Read Series. Easy Readers are designed to build a child’s love of reading, give opportunities to decode words, and develop comprehension skills. Charlie Goes to the Doctor is perfect for beginning reader because it has large, easy to read text. The sentences are shorter and the topic of the book is familiar to the children so they have background knowledge when deciphering words. The pictures are colorful and engaging and they match the text that is on the page to help young readers use picture clues when decoding words.

In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience?
Charlie Goes to the Doctor is a good book for Emergent Readers because they will be able to identify with Charlie and how he feels about going to the doctor. The plot line is one they can understand and their background knowledge will help with comprehension. Young readers in first grade will enjoy the larger print, making it easy to read and the short and simple sentences. This book with build confidence for emergent readers. Lastly, this book is a part of a series about Charlie and the children will enjoy reading about the same character throughout several books.

Awards: None found

Citations for published reviews: None found



Profile Image for Damita Perez.
553 reviews3 followers
February 1, 2025
"Charlie the Ranch Dog Goes to the Doctor" by Ree Drummond is a delightful, heartwarming children's book that features the beloved character Charlie, a lovable and humorous ranch dog. This is part of the "Charlie the Ranch Dog" series, which follows the adventures of Charlie, who is always ready to protect his family and the ranch, though his sometimes comical misunderstandings create plenty of entertaining moments.

In this particular story, Charlie finds himself in a situation many children can relate to—he's off to the doctor. However, being a dog, Charlie's experience with the doctor is filled with the sort of silly, exaggerated fears that will make young readers laugh. The book is full of colorful illustrations that capture the quirky charm of Charlie's personality.

The narrative is easy to follow, with simple language that young children will enjoy while learning about the importance of staying calm during a doctor's visit. Ree Drummond's storytelling is light-hearted and engaging, providing just the right balance of humor and comfort to ease children's anxieties about health check-ups.

Overall, "Charlie the Ranch Dog Goes to the Doctor" is a fun, entertaining, and educational book. It is perfect for children ages 3-7, and it's an excellent tool for parents looking to help their kids feel more at ease about visiting the doctor.
55 reviews
October 12, 2017
Mama took Charlie to the doctor because Charlie didn't feel good. When he was at the doctor's, Dr. Jan put a light on his eye and he was blind! Then Dr. Jan put the light in his mouth. Dr. Jan looked in Charlie's ear. Dr. Jan walked away after looking in Charlie's mouth because Charlie yawned in her face! She walked away because he has bad breath! Hickory is the dog with the red chain. Hickory was scared because he was afraid to go in the other room to see Dr. Jan. Charlie sounded like a frog when he was in the car! Mama and a chipmunk are with Charlie the whole time. I think Charlie made Hickory feel happy about going to see Dr. Jan. He wasn't scared anymore. I liked this book but it was hard for me. I feel scared about going to the doctor because I don't want to get a shot.
Profile Image for Asho.
1,862 reviews12 followers
September 8, 2017
L (2 1/2) was given this book as a gift at the National Book Festival last weekend, and she is so thrilled with it. She has several stuffed basset hounds and has now started calling one of them "Charlie the Ranch Dog". She has made me read it to her at least once a day. She has slept with it for the past three nights in a row. It is a very cute book, especially for a basset family like ours. We will have to look for more books in the Charlie series.
Profile Image for Rose Rosetree.
Author 15 books473 followers
December 30, 2023
Charlie, the Ranch Dog, doesn't want to go to the doctor. So what if he has a bellyache! But his Mama prevails.

Refreshingly, Mama is the narrator. (Also of possible interest: Mama is human.)

If you expect a happy ending, you might just be correct. Although no spoiler from me, no no!

FIVE STARS, for sure.
Profile Image for Cherish Brown.
1,295 reviews10 followers
September 29, 2024
(5☆ Would recommend & would read again)
Cute book. Great storyline & fantastic illustrations. I love how Charlie learns that the doctor is not scary & then helps another dog feel better about the doctor. This would be a great book for a kiddo who is nervous about going to the doctor. Even though its from a dog's perspective, it is really relatable for kids.
Profile Image for Elise.
562 reviews
March 23, 2021
The Charlie The Ranch Dog books are really cute. I highly recommend checking out the read along ebooks. Ree Drummond does the narration, there are fun sound effects, and my 6 year old just loves them.
1,633 reviews2 followers
July 23, 2018
Charlie the Ranch Dog, Charlie Goes to the Doctor, another charming Charlie book. The Charlie series is a treasure. My grandchildren love him.
Profile Image for Shelby.
991 reviews3 followers
January 22, 2024
These books were so cute, and read by The Pioneer Woman herself!
Profile Image for Tina Sample.
17 reviews
June 13, 2015
Students gather on reading rug for story of the day
"Good morning, students! Today, we will continue to read about our monthly subject, animals! For our new story, here's what we need to think about and wonder...."Have you ever felt sick? (Students nod). What did you do?"
--assorted answers: "I told my mom and dad." "I went to the doctor" "I had to take some medicine" "I slept a lot."
"Wow! Those are great answers! I'm impressed you remembered all of those parts about being sick. Today, we are going to hear about a dog that isn't feeling well. When the story is done, we will do a "compare and contrast" activity just like we learned to do in the last unit, nature."
---Read story--
"What did you like about the book?
What worried you in the book?"
Students share.
Class discusses concerns.


This book fits into my text set because it is realistic fiction. Pets go to the vet, children go to the doctor and this story helps set children at ease about taking their pets to the vet and going to the doctor, themselves!
Profile Image for Rosa Cline.
3,328 reviews44 followers
July 6, 2017
This is a level 1 reader but it's not choppy or boring. My special needs son school nurse bought this for him at our school book fair and I'm so glad she did! Such a precious book! Charlie is a dog that isn't feeling well and his 'human' knows it so she takes him to the vet. He sees a younger smaller dog exactly like him that is scared. And although Charlie isn't feeling well, he helps the younger dog not be scared anymore. Story was cute, easy to follow, would be easy for a beginning-merging reader to learn to read on their own with help. Will be looking to see if there are more Charlie the Ranch Dog books!
Profile Image for Angie.
2,849 reviews15 followers
August 17, 2016
Synopsis: "Charlie the Ranch Dog's tummy hurts—so much that he doesn't even want bacon! Can Dr. Jan help Charlie get his appetite back?"

My Review: We have enjoyed a few Charlie the Ranch Dog books in the past and picked this one up as it nears the time for Munchkin and Niko to get their yearly check ups. The sentences are a little long for a level one book but the words are all simple to sound out or sight words. The illustrations are all very cute and also give hints to the story. Speaking of the story it is a cute story and shows that the doctor isn't such a bad place and they will make you feel better.
Profile Image for Carol Jen.
251 reviews4 followers
July 28, 2014
I love Charlie the Ranch Dog in general and this one was very cute. Nice early reader with great illustrations and is a nice intro to going to the vet and also going to the Dr for kids who might be a little nervous.
Profile Image for Scooter Reads.
29 reviews
Read
October 11, 2015
Charlie is sick and has to go to the vet. I been sick and had to go to vet too. Is not fun to be sick. Is not fun to go to the vet. But helps you get better. Sorry to ruin it, but Charlie is better by end and gets BACON. I likes bacon.
Profile Image for Stefanie Foard.
1,191 reviews
March 5, 2015
Poor baby Charlie is sick and goes on an adventure to the vet's office where he learns about courage. This one might be one of my favorite Charlie books. :) I give it a resounding "Arooo-rooo-roooo!"
1,784 reviews11 followers
January 13, 2016
Good story about going to the doctor. Kids who don't want to go can learn that the experience isn't always so bad. (Doesn't always include shots!)
Profile Image for Brittany Perry.
700 reviews7 followers
June 9, 2015
entertaining and fun for children who love this basset hound. excellent next step for kids who read biscuit.
Profile Image for Kristina.
1,155 reviews1 follower
January 19, 2017
who doesn't love Charlie. he's loveable and adorable. my daughter really enjoyed this book. it's a good book for beginner readers. I would recommend this book to others.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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