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Top Dog: And Other Doggone Delightful Expressions
From the lens of expert animal photographer and New York Times bestselling author Carli Davidson, an adorable cast of canine characters star in this doggone delightful tribute to everyone's favorite idioms, from "working like a dog" to "the dog days of summer." These endearing and hilarious images are sure to make any animal enthusiast smile in "two shakes of a dog's tail!"
36 pages, Hardcover
Published October 4, 2016
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 25, 2023
Really fun book that uses dogs to capture all the idiomatic terms we use expressively - 'work like a dog' for example - fun 'give me a smile' book. You are sure to find some of your favorite expressions here; the dogs are wonderfully present in the here and now - a lesson that we can all appreciate. A great break from heavy reading!
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September 14, 2017~ review copy provided
TOP DOG is a book that is going to appeal to dog lovers.
In this book Carli has fun with doggone expressions, like: "Two Shakes of a Dog's Tail" and "Working Like a Dog".
Some expressions work better than others, but the photos of the dogs are beautiful and silly and you aren't likely to hear complaints.
A variety of breeds are shown. There are Pitbulls, Great Danes and even a Goldendoodle. At the end of the book the dogs are introduced to the reader. To one-up the fun to include something 'educational' you can discuss the expressions and how they might have originated. And you can discuss the relative sizes of the dogs and the work they might have been bred to do.
TOP DOG is a book that is going to appeal to dog lovers.
In this book Carli has fun with doggone expressions, like: "Two Shakes of a Dog's Tail" and "Working Like a Dog".
Some expressions work better than others, but the photos of the dogs are beautiful and silly and you aren't likely to hear complaints.
A variety of breeds are shown. There are Pitbulls, Great Danes and even a Goldendoodle. At the end of the book the dogs are introduced to the reader. To one-up the fun to include something 'educational' you can discuss the expressions and how they might have originated. And you can discuss the relative sizes of the dogs and the work they might have been bred to do.
January 13, 2018
Cute book with fabulous photography depicting common sayings relating to dogs. I just wish there was a bit more to it. I’m wavering between 2 & 3 stars. Photos amazing. Sayings cute. Substance not much.
March 13, 2017
Text: 2 stars
Photography: 4 stars
Though the photographs are cute and expertly executed, I'm not clear what the purpose of this picture book is. The idioms are not defined, merely listed. There isn't any other text until the last two page spreads, which feature head shots and 1 or 2 lines of description about all the specific dogs featured in the photographs throughout the book. They are all shelter or rescue dogs. But I wonder if those pages might be better served with more general information on dog breeds, dog care, or dog idioms. I feel like this book needs more of a focus beyond the display of cute dog photos.
Photography: 4 stars
Though the photographs are cute and expertly executed, I'm not clear what the purpose of this picture book is. The idioms are not defined, merely listed. There isn't any other text until the last two page spreads, which feature head shots and 1 or 2 lines of description about all the specific dogs featured in the photographs throughout the book. They are all shelter or rescue dogs. But I wonder if those pages might be better served with more general information on dog breeds, dog care, or dog idioms. I feel like this book needs more of a focus beyond the display of cute dog photos.
August 27, 2016
Real-life canines ranging in size from Ducky, a three-pound Chihuahua, to Sherman, a massive English mastiff, star in this amusing examination of dog-related idioms. From the front cover that shows just what it means to be a "top dog" to the back cover with its depiction of dogs holding or standing on equipment related to construction work to represent "working like a dog," this title amuses and informs readers and might be helpful in helping second language learners or early readers understand the meaning of idioms. I would imagine just about everyone has heard or used these idioms and wondered exactly what they meant or their origin. In addition to the examples cited above, the book demystifies "junk yard dog," "raining cats and dogs," "sick as a dog," "dog and pony show," "dirty dog," "the dog days of summer," "like a do with a bone," "hot dog," "two shakes of a dog's tale," "corn dog," the often-used excuse of the "dog ate my homework," "can't teach an old dog new tricks," and "sleep like a dog." The thumbnail sketches in the back matter identify all the dog stars in this book, providing their names and a little bit information about each one. I love the fact that there are 21 different dogs represented here, each with unique personalities and representing several breeds. This is one AWWWWWW-some title that might prompt others to come up with their own collection of idioms related to other animals.
December 3, 2016
Twenty-one dogs, and their friends, physically express 14 idioms and conversational expressions related to dogs. With the help of props, these dogs model each phrase, making it easy for children to understand the meaning. Adults will be familiar with each of the 14 idioms, but many, if not most, will be new to young children. This will not stop youngsters from enjoying these sometimes-silly dogs from expressing its given idiom. A beautiful white pit bull is the “junkyard dog,” . . .
Following these fourteen idioms, Davidson includes a thumbnail image of each Top Dog, in the exact order of appearance (making it easy to flip back and forth to learn more about your favorites), its name, breed, and a tidbit about their photograph. The “hotdog” is Bean, a dachshund who is “ball-obsessed and the best . . .
If you check this out at Kid Lit Reviews, and I really hope you will, please "like" so I know you were there. Thank you.
Originally reviewed on Kid Lit Reviews. To read the full review and see interior photographs, go to: http://bit.ly/CarliTopDog
Following these fourteen idioms, Davidson includes a thumbnail image of each Top Dog, in the exact order of appearance (making it easy to flip back and forth to learn more about your favorites), its name, breed, and a tidbit about their photograph. The “hotdog” is Bean, a dachshund who is “ball-obsessed and the best . . .
If you check this out at Kid Lit Reviews, and I really hope you will, please "like" so I know you were there. Thank you.
Originally reviewed on Kid Lit Reviews. To read the full review and see interior photographs, go to: http://bit.ly/CarliTopDog
October 10, 2017
I expected Berry to like this more considering how much she gets into Underwater Doggies 1,2,3, but alas, that was not the case. I enjoyed the dog photographs, though! The inclusion of phrases containing "dog" was a neat twist; I didn't realize there were so many.
December 8, 2019
Very funny and interesting book that was more about actual pictures instead of illustrations and depicting emotions or feelings but with dogs. I would love to use this book in the younger grades such as Kinder and 1st grade to help them understand how we should be expressing what we are feeling or thinking throughout the day.
October 7, 2017
I think my middle school students would get a kick out of this book of dog idioms (dog and pony show, raining cats and dogs) told through photographs of actual animal models. The back includes a pictoral biography of each featured dog. A must read for lovers of dogs and figurative language.
June 12, 2019
I think this would be a good book to have for a literary unit on idioms. I think that the pictures of these dogs are not only amazing but they are very cute and can keep any reader that loves dogs engaged for the entire book.
October 13, 2016
Age: Infant-1st grade
A cute collection of dog-related idioms paired with fun photography. A glossary of the dogs with one sentence descriptions provides for additional reading for dog-lovers.
A cute collection of dog-related idioms paired with fun photography. A glossary of the dogs with one sentence descriptions provides for additional reading for dog-lovers.
August 28, 2017
Great photos of the dogs.
August 21, 2018
Good for idioms unit.
April 1, 2019
This is such a cute book!
January 30, 2020
2.5/5 Stars
Top Dog: And Other Doggone Delightful Expressions was okay, I liked it but I didn't love it. It's a very short book, filled with very common "dog" expressions we hear all the time, accompanied by a staged picture. At the end of the book were the cast of (dog) characters and a short bio. I liked it okay but was ultimately underwhelmed by it. The pictures were lovely, but clearly staged, and the one with the hot dog .
I don't mind the staged pictures, but I felt it could've been a lot more. And some candid shots would've given the book more genuine character. Overall an okay book to page through but not one I would spend money on.
Top Dog: And Other Doggone Delightful Expressions was okay, I liked it but I didn't love it. It's a very short book, filled with very common "dog" expressions we hear all the time, accompanied by a staged picture. At the end of the book were the cast of (dog) characters and a short bio. I liked it okay but was ultimately underwhelmed by it. The pictures were lovely, but clearly staged, and the one with the hot dog .
I don't mind the staged pictures, but I felt it could've been a lot more. And some candid shots would've given the book more genuine character. Overall an okay book to page through but not one I would spend money on.
December 7, 2018
Decent story about dogs. A collection of interesting photos of dogs doing interesting things. Has topics of dogs in general, and differing breeds of dogs. I would recommend this to any age because the book itself does not slide one way or another. It can be applied to multiple ages and applied to multiple topics that include dogs.
October 11, 2017
My students will LOVE this one! It is a collection of expressions that use the word "dog" in them, illustrated with photos of adorable dogs. "Back matter" (using that term lightly) includes "biographies" of the models.
August 26, 2021
Lots of cute dog pictures here with simple phrases, such as "raining cats and dogs" or "dog and pony show." The format of this book would make more sense if it were a toddler book/board book since there are so few words.
December 17, 2019
Real life pictures of dogs illustrate common sayings about them. Preschool and up
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June 7, 2024No Havanese or Corgis :(
December 5, 2021
Hidden Review
November 30, 2016
Very cute pictures. Simplistic dog phrases, but fun nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews