Be Brown!

by Barbara Bottner

A little boy is frustrated by a rambunctious dog that refuses to obey.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Animals, Childrens

24 pages, Paperback

First published February 18, 2002

About the author

Barbara Bottner, New York Times best-selling author, is a screenwriter, TV writer, and writing coach, who began her multi-hyphenate career as an artist and actor. Designing off-Broadway sets in the ’60s led her to performance and following her career in theatre, she began writing and illustrating books for children. In total, she has written over 40 books in all areas of children’s literature including Young Adult, Middle Grade, chapter, and "I Can Reads". Several of her award-winning picture books have been animated and translated into multiple languages.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really short, like one word per page, so could be a third (gasp!) book at my storytime this week. Cute story about a disobedient dog, but at the end the boy finally finds one command the dog can obey.

[Ina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy is desperate to have his dog do something...anything he asks, but the dog has other ideas. With simple single word text ("sit" "stay" "off") and brightly colored illustrations this is a book that will please all ages. Along the lines of David Shannon's "Good Boy, Fergus" this one will have dog lovers laughing out loud and remembering their own strong willed dog. I could identify with the young boy telling a dog to "come" and have the dog run the other way...and issuing commands though the same gritted teeth as the boy in the story. Finally, the boy finds a command that his cute brown dog can obey when he tells him to "Be Brown."

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

The little boy wants his dog to obey what he is saying by using two words to guide him. When the dog doesn't listen he tries to think of what he can say next for the dog to listen but like most dogs he just does what he wants. When the little boy gives up he goes to the term of "be brown," which the dog can not disobey at that point.
This was a funny and easy read so any age can truly read this book.
I also liked how simple the book was and how the illustrations brought the meanings to life.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable children’s picture book, featuring a dog that does the opposite of any of his young master’s commands. The boy becomes frustrated that his dog is not listening to his commands. Finally the boy yells “Be Brown!” Perfect command for the dog to follow as he is already a brown dog. Lol

[Sophie Klockow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connections: trying to get my dog to do tricks and he doesn't know how
Use in classroom: No one can tell you to do something other than to be yourself

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunate that the title gives this book away much too soon. I find the concept hilarious. Word-wise, it would be great for toddlers. But they'd never get it. Preschoolers would get it, but I think they'd be bored unless I made a bunch of little sounds throughout. (I'm still not comfortable with little sounds in a large group as I am in a lap-read.) But you know, perhaps K-5. Perhaps. I'll see how the summer goes and what my group is like.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

What do you do with a dog who won't listen to anything? Don't expect any help from this book. It seems to encourage kids to give up, but I guess it is just supposed to be funny and perhaps optimistic.

[Becky H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dog does not listen. He is asked to sit, stay, stop, fetch, until the boy asks his to be brown. Then they are both happy. Cute illustrations. One or two words on each page.

[Cws]

BR-Got

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boy is trying to get his dog to perform dog commands, but the dog does not listen until the boy tells it to be brown.
Bright illustrations, not very big but great to read to the little ones.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story time book! Reminds me of my own pets...and we have more than a dog! ;)