Stella, Unleashed: Notes from the Doghouse

by Linda Ashman, Paul Meisel (Illustrations)

Stella’s got an opinion on everything: the baby (“cannot be trusted near tail”), her humans, the other pets, her sleeping requirements (“But for a truly peaceful rest, be advised: Your bed is best”), undignified doggie sweaters, and the dull dryness of kibble. She even waxes poetic on the exalted status of pups in Paris, who are welcome everywhere…even in restaurants. And thanks to author Linda Ashman, who practically channels the canine mind, Stella expresses it all in a series of humorous verses that will have dog-loving kids laughing out loud. Add Paul Meisel’s fabulous illustrations, which convey every facet of Stella’s winning, wonderful, and wickedly funny personality, and who could resist?


 

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Childrens, Animals, Dogs, Humor

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2008

About the author

Linda Ashman is the author of more than 40 picture books and The Nuts and Bolts Guide to Writing Picture Books . Her books have been included on the "best of the year" lists of the New York Times, IRA/CBC Children's Choices, the New York Public Library and others, and have been translated into many languages. Linda lives with her family in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book a 4 star rating.

This book is a bunch of poems from the dog's point of view. He tells stories about when he was adopted and all the people and the adventures they go on. I like this book because it's point of view allows us to see it from the dog's side.

Ways to use this in the classroom
1) Poems lesson
2) Do you have a dog? Write a Point of view story from the dog's side
3) Write a poem about your family or the adventures you have gone on.

[Susan Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Stella tells all about her life and finding the perfect family through poetry. Great to use with lessons involving point of view, poetry, rhyme, and so much more. Fun read!

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful poems about a family and their adopted shelter dog, told from Stella's point of view.

A boy knelt down.
I licked his face.
He rubbed my head.
I'd found my place.

Highly recommended for dog lovers of all ages.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poems telling the life of Stella, an adopted dog.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect book for our family after recently adopting a dog.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great poetry collection for anyone who loves dogs.

[Mari]

fun dog-related rhyming poetry

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twenty-nine poems told from the point of view of Stella, a rambunctious but loving canine, provide a dog's eye view on life. Once the right family finds Stella and takes her home from the animal shelter, they spend time getting to know her and her habits and choosing the perfect name. Young readers will enjoy her take on fame, sleeping, and the other animals in the house as well as the trouble she gets into. "Acrobat Cat" reminds me of what my dog Spirit must think as she watches my felines scamper across the kitchen cabinets. The acrylic, gouache, and pencil illustrations show off Stella's personality and the affection for one another that she and her family members share. One of my college students gave this to me as a gift, and I love how the book combines many of my loves--dogs, poems, humor. This one would be great for sharing with your own students.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am from dog people and I married someone who is not. Still, he tolerates our dogs (two, to his dismay) and once in awhile he says something like he's glad the kids have grown up with dogs or that he feels good knowing the dogs are guarding the house and I think, ha! We will win him over yet. Dog people know that all the problems of dogs - the barking, the occasional accident on the carpet, the "incidents" that later make great stories (the stolen chicken dinner sort of thing), the vet bills, are nothing really compared to the returns - the loyalty, the love, the companionship, the way dogs let you share their world as well as share yours - isn't everything nicer from a dog's point of view?
A terrific book.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quaint collection of poems all written from a dog's point of view. While I would not personally classify the poems as literary masterpieces, they are all very cute. The pictures are great and well done, with vivid colors. This is a must have for any household that has a dog (perhaps even if you do not have children) for the pure enjoyment of it. For my household, specifically, my two year old daughter LOVES this one (we have 3 dogs in my house). It would also be a good learn-to-read book for little ones. If you are not a dog owner, nor do you have children, nor are you seeking a career with child involvement, this one is probably not for you. It would, however, be a great holiday give for your dog lover aunt!!

[Bridget R. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered what your canine companion thinks about during the day? What she would say if she could talk? In her own words, Stella relates her thoughts and opinions. She’s eloquent, articulate, and at times a little naughty.

What I thought: How I admire Stella’s eloquence and poetic language! Ashman delights readers with 29 poems from Stella’s point-of-view. My favorites are “The Drama Queen” and “Tea Time.” I also enjoyed “Someone for Each of Us” which reminds me of Pongo’s search for the perfect mate (for himself and Roger) in Disney’s 101 Dalmatians. Meisel’s illustrations perfectly fit Ashman’s poems.

[Julie]

This is a great example of poetry to read aloud to preschool children. All of the poems are from Stella the dog's point of view, from choosing her family at the pound to her sleeping requirements ending with a poem about all of the services our dogs provide for us. The poems are divided into topics such as "Meet my Family", "Around the House" and, my favorite, "Trouble!" The illustrations are bright and fun which compliment the humor of the book. Highly recommended!!!

[Scott Roark · Rating 3 out of 5]

The life of a dog as told by one adopted from the pound. Adjectives are plentiful in this book and should be modeled to show how they can effect the feeling the author is casting. The author categorizes the book by events and descriptions of the family, great for a sequencing lesson. This idea could be broken down so that students could write a brief description of a portion of an important event in the past year, then add to it as the school year progresses.

[Restokes92]

This is a book full of poems told from the point of view of the family dog Stella. The poems are simple and easy to follow and would be perfect for a read aloud. I would definitely use this in a poetry unit, teaching children how to write simple poetry, and a book in my class library or studnets to read for pleasure. The illustrations also are great for keeping the students attention and the appeal could be even greater if we have a class pet or students have a pet at home.

[JustOneMoreBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unabashed autobiographical poems and hilariously expressive illustrations provide the observations and opinions of a straight-shooting canine in this irresistible pooch-hood memoir.

You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.

[Maria Caplin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one also!

[Tattered Cover Book Store]

signing at the store 9-5-08

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute illustrations - too busy though. Probably a better book for a child to explore on a parent's lap.

[DelGal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story with a lovable pup as a main character that includes great illustrations. Some of the wording felt a little bit "off" and did not flow as well as it should for a children's book.

[Liz B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful book about a dog named Stella. The book contains different poems all about dogs, Stella, and why she is special.

[Amanda Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book of cute rhyming poetry based on the thoughts of Stella, the dog. I would recommend it for older preschoolers and above.

[Sarah May · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poetry from a dog's perspective, language and concepts more complex than I expected from the cover

[Bethany Harnden · Rating 5 out of 5]

By imagining a dog's thoughts on all aspects of life concerning her, this book's clever expressions from a dog's perspective show just how opinionated (and poetic) dogs can be.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book for the little dog lovers out there.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

It felt like the author had met my dog and was writing in his voice! Very fun book of poems that would be great for talking to students about POV.