Biscuit-My First I Can Read!™: Bizcocho va a la escuela

Biscuit

by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Even though no dogs are allowed, Biscuit can't wait to go to school! He is determined to see and take part in everything that happens at school. But what will occur when the teacher discovers Biscuit in the classroom? This adorable book is part of the well-loved Biscuit series. Ages 4-7

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, School, Animals, Dogs, Fiction, Kids

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Alyssa Satin Capucilli was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1957. She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College, and pursued her interest in dance, becoming a professional dancer and dance instructor. Though Capucilli had written stories, poems, and even puppet shows as a child, she didn't consider a career as a writer until after her own two children were born. To this day she sees herself as both a dancer and a writer, and the two professions complement each other nicely: dancing is, in her words, “telling stories in another way,” and readers of her children's books can attest to the rhythm of her language. Since 1994, she has written more than 15 books for children, and her work has been translated into French, Hebrew, Afrikaans, Greek, and Bulgarian.

Capucilli lives in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, with her husband and children. They have a chocolate Labrador retriever named Huckleberry, who likes to watch the author at work.

Reviews

[L. McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUPER FAST REVIEW:
Aww! I like this even more than the first one! Biscuit is disappointed to hear that dogs don’t go to school but he decides to go anyway and is a very curious puppy! It’s not predictable, it’s very funny, the art is too darn cute and I love the adorable puppy’s story!

Highly recommended!

5/5

[Tym · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute short childrens story that is great to read to a child getting ready to start school

[Claude · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was the one that consecrated my desire to learn Spanish. My friend gave it to me for Secret Santa with the inscription "You said you wanted to learn Spanish... well beginners have to start somewhere so enjoy your journey with Bizcocho". And, enjoy, I did. It's odd going back to kids' books after about a decade of reading novels, and, to be honest, I think sometimes we forget the simplistic joy in children's novels.

"Mi primer libro" is exactly the right level for me right now. Just enough new vocabulary that you're learning Spanish the whole time, but not too much that you're freaked out because you can't understand everything. Sure, I didn't know every word to begin with, but after a few Reverso sessions, you start to get the general gist which is awesome. The repetition of words also helps you pick them up and is a surefire way to start developing your vocabulary in a new language! I would say that I have some doubts about my pronunciation, but for a book, it carried out it's function.

Bizcocho is also just about the cutest fictional dog character I've seen (for at least a while). He's lovable and cute and curious, and he reminds me of my dog. I think any child would have a blast going on reading adventures with him... as did I. The storyline might be a bit basic, but that's the joy in it. Bizcocho wants to go to school, but dogs aren't allowed there... but he goes anyway! And, in typical children's book fashion, everyone loves him and it has an overwhelmingly happy ending. Was a heartwarming experience.

So, go Bizcocho! I learned some Spanish and also enjoyed my reading experience... even if the book was aimed at people a decade or so younger than me. Definitely recommend :)

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bizcocho goes pretty hard ngl I loved this book as a kid

[Margaret Chind · Rating 3 out of 5]

We love Biscuit books and they are a great tool for teaching young readers exciting bits of story. Instead of Mary having a little lamb that followed her to school one day, Biscuit follows his girl to school. Why shouldn't a puppy get to go to school? *grin* The rule follower in my rebels with the story, but it is adorable and just the right amount of amusement. He still is behaving better than Marley, after all... This was another one from my son Rascal's I Can Read! subscription.

[Tony Petry · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter loves anything with animals, cute little book to read to the little ones.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shades of Mary and her little lamb:

Biscuit followed his girl to school one day, school one day, school one day.
Which was against the rules.
He made the children laugh and play, laugh and play, laugh and play.
To see a pup at school.
Will the teacher send him out, send him out, send him out?
Or will he linger near?
Why everyone loves Biscuit no doubt, Biscuit no doubt, Biscuit no doubt!
Because he is so dear.

[Holly Letson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biscuit likes school.

[Austin Hess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, found the plot of the book to be unrealistic, though enjoyable with its holes. Unsure if Biscuit made it home after being caught by the teacher. Will wait for the sequel to find out

[Azura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so fun, he went to school. She tried to get biscuit out, but it was hard.

Azura spoke

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute little story about a puppy that wants to go to school and her young mistress. Especially liked that it included a male teacher instead of the typical female teacher.

[Erma Talamante · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review coming soon. Check here for updates:
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[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biscuit goes to school, does he like it?

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though dogs are not allowed at school, Biscuit wants to go to school. He wants to play ball at recess, listen to a story, go to lunch, and meet the teacher. He does every one of these things even though he is not technically supposed to. Everyone likes him so it is okay.
I like how easy this book is to read. This is a great book for a struggling reader to get practice reading something that won't frustrate them. I love the pictures. Biscuit is soooooo adorable and the little girl's hair is so pretty! The colors are bright and pretty and the words are fairly simple. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It's not much of a challenge, but I still love these books.
I can use this book to give my struggling readers something they can use to practice reading without being overly frustrated. I can also use this book to get kids interested in dogs more interested in reading. I can use this book to teach kids to read. The words are simple and I can have them read the book to me aloud. I can help them with words they are struggling with. I could bring in a dog, but that would require getting the principal on board. Not to mention, it would have to be a therapy dog. It would a lot of coercing. I can also use this book to teach my students the idea of sound words or onomatopoeias. I can read through the book once, then we can read through it again looking for sound words and we can find all the sound words and talk about them. I can also ask them to come up with their own sound words. I can have them take their sound words and draw a picture to go with them. Then we can take their pictures and make them into a little book of sound words.

[Scarlett Graglia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary:
Biscuit is so excited to go to school. He sees the school bus coming, but he is told to stay home because dogs don't go to school. Biscuit finds his way anyhow. What will happen when the teacher finds Biscuit in the classroom?

Evaluation:
This story was cute. I liked it because I love animals, especially dogs. The story was cute because it showed how determined Biscuit was to find his way to school even though his owner wanted him to stay home because she knew he would not be allowed at school. I like how Biscuit finds his way by himself as he takes on his very own adventure. This story could relate to anyone who wishes they could bring their dog to school!

Teaching idea:
This story is a great book to teach high frequency words and for those students who are in the transitional period of reading. Students then could play a memory matching puzzle that would help students build familiarity with the books vocabulary words. The puzzle consists of finding the pairs of the word. This could either be on online activity or the teach could print out the words and students could play it at their desk.

[Sarah Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story tells us Biscuit’s adventure after his owner tells him dogs do not go to school. We see how he goes through a few areas to go to the school where he wants to play ball, hear a story, and a snack. He then encounters his owner who worries she will get in trouble for Biscuit being there. Biscuit being a dog still finds more things he wants to do as he wants to meet the teacher and the class. Biscuit finds out that he likes school, and contrary to the owner’s thoughts everyone there also likes Biscuit and has a happy and fun time at school. A great and simple read for the first day of school that shows a cut and fun narrative of a dog going and doing what students experience each day. Biscuit strikes again with another useful and adorable adventure that is sure to have kids smiling and enjoying all that he encounters on the journey.

[Malak Gaber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing i was a big fan of the I can read books with the cute stories and lovable characters. The adventure of Biscuit is told when his owner tells him that dogs cannot attend school. In order to get to the school where he wants to play ball, hear a story, and eat a snack, we see how he travels through a few different neighborhoods. He then runs into his owner, who is concerned about getting into jail because Biscuit is present. Despite being a dog, Biscuit still has a long list of things he wants to do, like meeting the teacher and the class. Contrary to the owner's expectations, Biscuit discovers that he enjoys school, and everyone else there does too. Biscuit has a pleasant and enjoyable time at school. A nice, easy read that demonstrates simple and fun humor for the first day of school.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Categories/Genres for this class fulfilled by this book: Easy Reader
Copyright date: July 1, 2003
Estimate of age level of interest: 4 - 8
Estimate of reading level: PreK - 1st grade
Brief description: Even though dogs are not allowed Biscuit is excited and determined to go to school.
Identify at least 2 characteristics of this genre and subgenre and discuss how they appear in your book: Font is clear and large with many sight words. Very few multi-syllabic words. Evenly balanced with illustrations and white space.
In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience? Beginning readers can sound out the words easily. Readers recognize the distinct character and repetition.
Review: School Library Journal 2003

[Mikaylie Snell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:
Biscuit is a puppy. On this adventure he goes to school. At school the book says what he wants to do there and what he likes. It ends with Biscuit liking the students and the students liking Biscuit.

Evaluation:
This is a great book for beginning readers. The phrases are very repetitive and all of the words are sight words. The illustrations also go along with the words. This would be a great book for someone who is just learning to read.

Teaching Idea:
This book can be used to teach the word ending -ing. These words are used many times in this book. Students could go on a word hunt for words that end in -ing. They will then right down the words they find that end in -ing. They will use a highlighter to show what part of the word is -ing.

[Summer Shockley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: This story is about a little girl and her dog Biscuit. Biscuit wants to go to school, but she tells him he cannot. Biscuit follows her to school and the little girl finds him in the lunchroom. She tries to hide, but he keeps barking. He gets out of her book bag and everyone ends up playing with him.

Evaluation: This is a great book for students who are in the transitional period of reading. The repetition and detailed pictures help the student read the book better. The story is cute and is relatable for anyone who wishes they could bring their dog to school.

Teaching idea: This book could be used to teach high frequency words to young students. It would be great to use during guided reading groups where students could partner read and get used to the elements of reading.

[Carson Gentry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very simple and easy read. It tells the story of a dog who follows the school bus to school. When he’s at school he wants to do everything that kids get to do, but he can’t because he’s a dog. His owner tried to hid him from the teacher but the teacher ends up finding biscuit.

This is a great book for kids that are just starting to read. Kids would be able to practice sounding out words and each page ends with the familiar word “Woof” which would be so good for a kid to regain confidence.

The illustrations we really fun and told the story without the words needing to be there.

[Katlin Carver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary
Biscuit really wants to go to school, but dogs are not allowed. He is determined to see and do everything that takes place at school.
Evaluation
This a cute book about a story about a puppy. I like that is included a male teacher unlike most books where teachers are female. The book has illustration that help the reader better read and understand the text.
Teaching Idea
I would use the book to teach high frequency words to young students. It would also be a great book for higher students to read independently.

[Jessica]

This is a simple book about a little puppy going to school for the first time. I think this would be great for Kindergarteners because it shows them what they can expect to see in school while also enjoying a story about a cute little puppy. I think we could compare what the puppy does throughout his day with what our schedule looks like in the classroom. It may be cool to later be like, “now we are going to gym just like Biscuit went to gym in our book.” We can also take the time as we read through the book to discuss our expectations for our reading.

[Xuewei Wu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biscuit wants to go to school. He wants to go to class, have a snack in the cafeteria, and hear a story in the library. Most of all, Biscuit wants to meet the teacher! But dogs aren't allowed in school. After meeting classmate and everybody love him. This story shows going to school for the first time can be scary and scare to meet other students but it can also be fun. The illustration for the book is like real life and the puppy are represents children who go to school on the first day. It is a good book to read for the first day of school.

[Salma]

This book is one of my all time favorites. It is such a simple beginners book. I remember reading it as a small child and would definitely read it to my children. The book is very simple with images that show exactly what the verbal reading is saying. The novel itself is a book simple read that includes objects and concepts that kinder-garden students have an understanding or learning about. The images seem to be draw so it beings a better connection with the young students. They can visually see what is happening.

[Makayla Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Biscuit Goes to School" is a beginning reader book about the popular dog named Biscuit. In this book, biscuit goes to school, even though he is not allowed. Once he is at school, he has to hide from the teacher so he will not be sent home. This book should be given as an independent read for beginning readers. The simple sentences and use of CVC and sight words keep the text engaging and manageable for beginning readers.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biscuit goes to school a children's picture book for ages 3-7. The story is about a little puppy wanting to go to school with his owner. He's eager to see the school, eat in the cafeteria and meet the teacher. The book is good practice for children just learning to read. They have many pictures and short sentences. This is a good book to read at night time for bed or at school when learning to read.

[Z'Nia Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so adorable. Biscuit just wants to follow his owner and before he goes to the school he makes a few detours. His owner has to hide him from the teacher and from other people because dogs aren't suppose to be in school. I love how there was onomatopoeia in the book. I wish there was more, but it still was cool the few they did have. Biscuit is a smart dog because he got to the school alone and I'm glad at the end everyone feel in love with him.

[Natalie Greaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was nicely illustrated. It is pretty short in length and the story is a simple tale of not following instructions. I don't think that this story would be something I would read in an classroom with very young children. It might be more useful for older young children to help them learning sight words and to begin to read.

[Verna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novelty story about a dog named Biscuit who went to school. Biscuit got into some mischief while at school but regardless of that everyone still liked him. Perfect for emerging readers and comes with a list of sight words. The book tells a story with very few words, use large fonts and the words are spaced; the perfect book for early readers.