A Dog Needs A Bone

by Audrey Wood

Wood, Caldecott Honor recipient and bestselling author of THE NAPPING HOUSE, pens a humorous tale of a bone-obsessed pooch. As shown by GOOD BOY, FERGUS, simple dog books sell well with early readers.

Follow the plight of this bone-obsessed, lovable mutt as she spends her day waiting, pleading, and plotting for a bone from her mistress. Readers will delight in the humor and irresistable charm of this incorrigible canine as she tries to stave off her desire until at last she gets her long-awaited bone.
Young readers will be drawn to the simple rhyming text and playful crayon illustrations of this bestselling author.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Dogs, Fiction, Storytime, Animals, Humor

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2007

About the author

Audrey Wood studied art and drama at the Arkansas Art Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. She has owned an operated a book and import store, taught chldren's drama and art, and traveled throughout Mexico and Guatemala studying Indian folk art. She now lives in Hawaii with her talented family (husband Don and son Bruce, who have both collaborated with Audrey by illustrating some of her books).

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written and illustrated by Audrey Wood, this book follows a dog through his day. The rhythmic text encourages children to participate in the reading and rhyming words can be guessed through audience participation. The simple illustrations bring a hand drawn look that adds character to the story.

[Ryan DeMarois]

Summary
This book is about a fun dog who does all he can think of to get a bone he so craves from his owner. HE waits all day, is sad, impatient and energetic just waiting to see when his owner will get home and if he will even get what he wants so much. In the end we are able to see the dog finally get his bone.

Analysis
Fun book that allows the reader to jump into the dogs mind and see what he is going through to get his bone. You get to see his emotions and his actions throughout the read.

Application
Great book for younger students who are looking for a laugh. Great book to read when they are coming in to class in the morning or maybe after lunch.

[Ms. Layton + the Fearless Leaders · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book, and it was a hilarious book, and whoever drew the pictures is a good drawer. - YMP

In my opinion, the rhyming words were fun, and it was interesting to listen to. - AW

I would rate it a 1 because it was a short, and I thought it was a bone in the body. - SA

I rated it a 0 because it was short. It had good rhyming, but it wasn't a good book for people to be that interested in. - KE

I didn't like how the dog was begging about a bone. He can just be patient. - DA

I gave the book a 4 because the dog didn't wait and kept on waiting, and he didn't eat his peas. - OR

I would rate a 3 because it was a pretty cool story, but it wasn't my favorite. - AM

[Donna Mork · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dog promises to do housework and be good if only she gets a bone. Then the mistress leaves. Dog is sad and alone. But the mistress comes back and offers the dog various vegetables. No go there. So she gives the dog a bone. Dog is very happy with this!

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny story about a dog wanting a bone, but the other books illustrated by Don & Audrey Woods like “The Napping House,” are far superior in the illustration style. This one was illustrated by Audrey and her son Bruce and I just didn’t enjoy it as much.

[Haaley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like my dogs are exactly like this one when it comes to treats. Hahah

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audrey does such wonderfully poetic work. Perfect for my music classroom!

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute and fun. Ben enjoyed it. He had all sorts of stories about what the lady was doing instead of giving the dog a bone.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dog begs his mistress for a bone, and he tells her in rhyme all the things he would do for her, and how he would be on his best behavior if she would only give him a bone.

[Emma Vargo · Rating 4 out of 5]

K-1st Fiction
A good book to use as an introduction to rhyming for young children. It is silly and entertaining so they will be engaged throughout. Especially good for a read aloud.

[Brian Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for kids, who doesn't love dogs?!

[Brittany Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delightful children’s book!

[Adrienne Furlong · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHUT UP SHUT UP I LOVED THIS BOOK

[Thomas Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. Brought it first day of class

[Joey Starr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dog needs a bone was entertaining but I would not use it in my classroom. It was enjoyable for a younger Audience but for the age I would teach it is a little to childish.

Guided reading: N/A
DRA Level: N/A
Traits: presentation, voice

[Jen Goeden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story A Dog needs a Bone is about a dog who wants a bone really bad from his mistress, which the dog does many jobs to earn a bone. When the mistress gets home from the store she tries to feed him carrot, broccoli, squash, and peas, but he does not want any of that he just wants a bone.

On the cover of this book the title has texture to it, which you can feel. The title is raised and bumpy. There are three title pages in this book. The first two title pages just have the title on it with a little dog on it. One the third page there is the title, author’s name, and a picture of the dog and his mistress. There is a dedication page, which the books is dedicated to all the author’s dog and car friends. There are some borders just on some pages. The text in the book is not in the same spot on each page. Some pages the text goes in circles, on top or bottom of the page, and even up and down. There is not one white page in the book. The pictures look like they are colored with color pencils or chalk.

[Christian Houseworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a cute book!!! It was about a dog who desperately needs a bone and really wants his mistress to give him one. He need a bone so bad that he is willing to perform all of these jobs to get one. This book is written from the perspective of the dog and its almost like he is writing a letter to his mistress begging for a bone. This would be a book good to use to encourage students to write letters to someone about something they want. This book is also good for teaches students to write poetry because its written somewhat like a poem. This book is good for teaching repetition and rhyme as well. This book is a great book to use for a read aloud and is also great for beginner readers because it is an easy.

[Camille Ryckman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief summary A dog want a bone and tries to get his owners attention.
Annotation
This is a simple story that has a problem the dog does not know how to solve, but depends upon his owner to be kind. The story is told in rhyme.
Age appropriateness -This could be used with children 0-5
Connection to six early literacy skills - print awareness is one of the skills presented. The text is presented in an easy to read format with text written on the bottom of the page, except when referring to a specific picture, then it wraps in a half-moon shape around the picture.
Five practicesThis could be singing and reading depending on how much the rhyming is incorporated into the reading pattern.
Opinion This book is okay, it has a nice rhyming pattern, but the story is weak.

[McKenna Banks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a super cute rhyming story about a dog's obsession with getting a bone from his master. He tries to persuade her every way possible by offering to sweep the floors, never chase cats, and answer the phone. His master leaves, and he is sad. He is left all alone with nothing to do. He plays with her scarves and sleeps in her bed until she returns home. His master has a treat for him and she pulls out carrots, peas, and broccoli. The dog is disappointed until she finally pulls out a bone.

This is a very cute, fluent read for younger children. It rolls right off the tongue and has a good rhythm to it. It is also very funny. I really liked it.

I could use this just for a funny read aloud for kindergarten or first grade. It could maybe be incorporated into a rhyming unit.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dog needs a bone!

Totally dig Audrey Wood's stuff. When I read her books, the rhyme comes out in my reading. Seriously. I don't have to search for one; it's just there.

Plus, it's about a dog. Kids like dog books. And, the illustrations are funny and warm.

So kudus. Except - why'd you use the word mistress, Audrey? No one's used that word outside of an affair in like 40 years. No child knows that word and the ones that do are British or thinking doxy. You know where minds go. And you used it like 20 times. Come on!

Owner not available? I would ever give you Mom, and I hate when people use Mom or Dad with pets.

[Allison Clyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audrey Wood’s A Dog Needs a Bone is told from a dog’s perspective as he desperately wants a bone and begs his mistress for one; the dog is even willing to do numerous jobs in order to get one. The text is fairly simple and would be great for introducing rhyming to young students because the words are written like a poem. This story would also work well with a lesson on how illustrations can complement the text. The story would be best used as a read aloud and the teacher can point out the literary concepts as she goes. Overall, the story is wonderful and relatable to children, which allows it to be used in a number of lessons.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another that I wished I'd had awhile ago. Julia is just a little tiny bit too old for this now. That's not to say we didn't enjoy it - we definitely did. But I can tell it would have made a much bigger impression if she were a year or two younger. I'm going to have to start looking more closely at our library borrows in the future.
I won't go through the description - it's here already. Toddlers will love this - the story and the illustrations. And my daughter showed me that a well read five year old can enjoy it too.

[Savannah Montalvo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Dog Needs a Bone, written and illustrated by Audrey Wood was a cute story that even made me laugh. I'm sure many young children would enjoy this book as much as I did. I liked how the story was told in a poem, and all the fun illustrations that brought the book to life. There were great morals people of all ages could learn from this book as well. First, one should say please and secondly, it's good to be patiently. Good things come to those who wait. I personally thought the book was great for little ones!

[Gwen the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is your dog thinking about all day long? Bones! Toy bones, treat bones, squeaky bones. The dog in this story promises to do all kinds of funny, crazy things, if only his mistress will give him a bone! How about a carrot? No? Will this dog ever get a bone? This doggy sees bones everywhere! How many bones can you find in the illustrations?

[Deborah Harris]

AR Quiz No. 117081 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 1.7 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP, RV

I love this author her writing is simply creative. She weaves a catchy fun tale that every child can identify. In this story the dog needs a bone. He pursuades his owner to get him a bone.

[Oanh · Rating 3 out of 5]

"A Dog Needs a Bone" is about a dog who tells of all the things he'll do (or not do) for his mistress in order to get a bone. This would be a great story to model to students how to write persuasively and from a point of view. The dog offers some good arguments that I would encourage my students to make as well in order for them to get what they want.

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd love this book just for the hilarious pictures. The dog seems straight out of one of my favorite cartoons-full of action and humor. The text works perfectly. I'd love to pair this with "Bark, George" at a story hour!

[Rebekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The cover was totally false advertising because this book had nothing to do with a dog playing a trumpet. But the dog asking for a bone to chew on was adorable, with a little heart-shaped nose and eyebrows that floated over his head that made up for it.

[Tiffany Tilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book for learning rhyming or good for a fun storytime book. The book is very easy to read and good for students who are beginning readers who are trying their skills at rhyming; also great for dog lovers.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, rhyming narrative. Not much to it. Our youngest picked this book out at her school fair and we enjoyed reading it together. We have since donated it back to her school to be given to another child.