My Buddy

by National Geographic Learning, Ted Rand (Illustrator)

Buddy is the best dog a boy could have. He and his master are always together. They play ball, and go for walks, and take good care of each other. Nothing can separate them. They're a team.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Dogs, Disability, Animals, Friendship, Cultural

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 1992

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audrey Osofsky's (author) and Ted Rands's (illustrator) picture book My Buddy is a delightful and engaging first-person narrative about Buddy, a Golden Retriever, who is Service Dog to a young boy with muscular dystrophy. Printed text and accompanying illustrations for My Buddy sweetly and tenderly mirror one another and are not only informative, but also heartwarming and even hilariously humorous at times. I just love the episode in My Buddy where Buddy picks up a bag of doggy treats at the pet store, and I also have to massively chuckle (as the other children in the school cafeteria do) when Buddy "retrieves" the boy's empty milk can from the trash bin. Buddy clearly loves his job, loves the young boy; they are a team. And as the young boy so eloquently points out, before Buddy, he had to rely on friends, family, and even strangers to help him with the many things he could not do by and for himself. Buddy is the young boy's arms and legs; he provides and gives lasting and appreciated independence.

Furthermore, I also and especially appreciate the fact that the text, that Audrey Osofsky’s narrative and Ted Rand’s accompanying artwork for My Buddy not only focus on the daily life and routine of the young boy and Buddy, but also demonstrate the hard work that goes into the training of a Service Dog. For the young boy did not simply receive a trained "machine" and both Buddy and he had to get used to each other, work with each other; the instruction and lessons were hard for both of them, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately more than worth every effort.

And although I am glad that neither the teacher nor the young boy's classmates in My Buddy seem to have problems and/or concerns with having a dog in class, I do wonder whether the easy acceptance of Buddy's presence at school is perhaps just a trifle too effortless, too uncomplicated, too facilely presented. For I do think it would make for a more interesting and realistic storyline, if there were some obstacles to overcome in My Buddy (maybe classmates who refuse to heed the rule of not petting Buddy while he is working, or a classmate or teacher who is allergic to or afraid of dogs). And for me personally, another minor (but in reality somewhat major) cause for concern and some consternation with My Buddy is the fact that we never do learn the first name (the actual identity) of the young boy. I know that My Buddy is written as a first-person account, but not knowing the young boy's name, while on the other hand knowing his friends' and his Service Dog's name, this kind of depersonalises the boy to an extent (and that is kind of sad and actually leaves me a bit uncomfortable).

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this picture-book examination of a very special relationship - one based on a real-life child and his dog - a wheelchair-bound boy with muscular dystrophy and his golden retriever helper dog, Buddy, work together as a team. Explaining all the things that Buddy can do for him - turning light switches on and off, pushing elevator buttons, picking up things that have fallen - the boy also describes the training process they both went through, at a Service Dog "boot camp." Although Buddy is his best friend, he is also a working dog - something that is emphasized throughout, with the frequent statements about people not being able to pet or hug him, while he is working - and accompanies the boy to school, where he is the quietest student in the class...

An engaging introduction to the idea of service dogs, My Buddy is also a story that can teach young readers about the needs and desires of disabled children: that (like any other kid) they long both for independence and for companionship. How lovely that the Buddys of this world can provide both for them! I appreciated the fact that Osofsky's narrative emphasizes all the hard work that goes into training a service dog, and the fact that the person being helped also has to learn quite bit. Ted Rand's artwork didn't particularly stand out to me, but I think it is engaging enough to keep young readers' attention.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book told first person by a boy who has muscular dystrophy, talking about his service Golden Retriever dog, how he first got him, trained with him, and works with him, and how they’re best friends.

I read this book for the Children's Books group Picture Books Club, a selection for June, the theme being persons facing physical challenges.

What I found interesting is the dog sleeping on the boy’s bed with the boy. I hope that happens. I always thought service dogs weren’t allowed to do that. I know dogs working are not allowed to be petted by strangers/others, and this book explains why (I still hate it; I always want to pet them!) but I didn’t know their people couldn’t even pet (or feed?) them. I hate that too.

Aside from making it seem the dog in this book is working most of the time, except for sleeping, napping, and some games of fetch, this was a very heartwarming book. My favorite part was the trip to the pet store. So funny and true how a dog would be happy with that errand!

This story also does a fabulous job of showing what a difference a dog can make to a dog’s person’s social life. I know, as an able bodied person, just how many people I met when I had a dog. I knew the neighborhood(s) from our walks and outings. For a person with a disability this story shows how the boy is seen differently without vs. with his dog buddy. In my opinion, this makes as much of a difference as all the many helpful tasks the dog does.

This was a good choice for the Picture Books Club and I’m glad it was chosen. I doubt I’d ever have read it otherwise and it’s a very worthy book. It would be especially good for disabled children who might get a dog, for children who have contact (regular or rare) with children who have disabilities whose dogs are worker dogs.

I know dogs love to work, whether it’s “real” work or play, but I still wish in this book and real life (for some dogs) they got more affection, treats, etc. and more times just to be. But, this boy and this dog seem to be content and very happy, in general and with each other.

[Mackenzie]

My Buddy, by Audrey Osofsky, Illustrated by Ted Rand

This book is about a little boy who has muscular dystrophy. He has to ride in an electric wheelchair, because his muscles are very weak. He has a guide dog, named Buddy, who helps him everyday. Buddy knows sixty commands, and the dog will only listen to the little boy. Buddy follows him to school, to the park, to his friends house, and even into the shower.

The text in the children's book explains who Buddy is and why he is needed for the little boy; there isn't really a problem within the story. Age wise, I think any grade level would be entertained by this book. It is an easy read that will keep the kids interested as well as educated on guide dogs and muscular dystrophy. The pictures were colorful and went right along with the text. It presented and explained through pictures how the guide dog can be used for different situations.

There is not any kind of cultural diversity in this book, the little boy was white and the dog was a golden retriever. The author dedicated the book to the Canine Companions for Independence at Santa Rosa California, so the author got a lot of insight on how guide dogs are used.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our girls really enjoyed this story about a young boy with muscular dystrophy who gets his wish to have a service dog. It's a straightforward story and I like that he emphasizes that the dog is more than just a pet, but a working dog who shouldn't be distracted while he is working. It also depicts the boy as being busy, independent and partaking in many activities.

This book was featured as one of the selections for the June 2011: Persons Facing Physical Challenges discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books group here at Goodreads. I'm glad that we had the opportunity to read this book!

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on a true story, this small anthology features a young boy, Scott, with muscular dystrophy and his beautiful friendship with his service dog, who he helps and trains, and how in return, his service dog helps him feel more comfortable in the world. The many aspects of having a service dog are portrayed beautifully and realistically in this story, both the difficult and beneficial. Though Scott's disability necessitates a lot of accommodations, he is portrayed, rightly, as a normal kid, loving sports, video games, and hanging out with friends. A great window and mirror book. Also included in the short book is a nonfiction story of a girl who raises service dogs, and a Ranger Rick article about various dog breeds who interact with humans in different ways, and finally a cute dog poem about the small annoyances and overpowering joys of having a dog as a friend. The first two stories are the real gems of the book - the last bits feel like filler - but overall it's a great book for people wanting to understand more about service dogs and a good fiction-nonfiction pairing.

[Sierra Dirksen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! It describes how a boy with a disability worked hard to train his service dog. It then follows the boy in his everyday life with the dog. Overall it is a way to teach children about people with disabilities in a unique way. It is overall a great book to read.

[Tristen Gatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Buddy is a first person narrative children's book. This story is told in first person by a boy who has muscular dystrophy and is in a wheelchair, since he needs extra help he has a service dog named Buddy. I found the illustrations in this book to be engaging and relatable to children since Buddy’s owner is a school-aged child himself. This book is very informative about children who have physical disabilities and the companionship between a service dog and its owner. Before reading this book, I think it would be important for younger children to have some background knowledge on disabilities and service dogs. Otherwise, many questions could arise during the reading of this story. I really loved that this book showed that children who are disabled are capable of many things even if they accomplish the task differently. This story gave a positive, informative and kid-friendly view on the companionship of a child and his service dog and how they work together to make it possible for the child to live a more normal life despite his physical disability.

[Dana Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This narrative tells about a relationship of a boy with muscular dystrophy and his golden retriever service dog or "working dog". The story is told through the narration of a boy and the importance of his buddy; his service dog. Buddy wears a backpack that says "Working dog Don't touch. When Buddy has on his working attire he can't be touched because this will distract him from his job. Buddy helps the boy by following more than 60 commands on a daily basis. The commands range from" up, light"( turning on the light) to "up, switch"( turning off the lights).The other students in the boys class thought that Buddy was smart and handy when he was able to retrieve a library book and dropped pencil. The teacher reiterated the importance of not touching Buddy, because he has to focus on his "work". After some time, the students became used to Buddy's presence and respected the fact that Buddy was there to help a fellow student. I plan to use this text in helping my students to better understand the uniqueness of students with disabilities. The illustrations in the text go along well with the story line.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased "My Buddy" to use with a Degenerative Muscular Dystrophy student I have in my classroom. He is losing his fine motor skills; so, turning a page is extremely difficult. I decided that I would use my Kindle Fire with this student, thus making this book more accessible for him. Unfortunately, the publishing does not offer a e-book version of this book. How is it possible that a book about a boy with Muscular Dystrophy is not offered as as e-book? Really? I've written to the publisher but have not heard a word. So, I guess my concerns have fallen on dead ears. Oh well, we move forward.

Enough of my ranting and raving! The story was very engaging and is a wonderful tool in helping all students understand the struggles of people living with this disease. I want to make sure my student feels he is not alone and has materials that are accessible for him. I believe this book will make some progress toward this goal. The only recommendation I would make is that it would have been great for the author to include some discussion questions at the end of the book.

[Roshunda Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a narrative and the characters are a boy with muscular dystrophy and his service dog. In the story his fellow classmates are taught that the dog is a "working dog" and not be petted because petting distracts him from working. The students learn how the dog, Buddy, helps to make life easier for the boy. Buddy does many things for the boys from turning a light switch on and off to retrieving a book from a shelf. My critique is that the boy's name is never mentioned in the story yet we know Buddy's name. This book would be great to teach about fellow classmates with disabilities and the accommodations needed to be made to make life easier for them. The book could also can be used to help transition students to the fact that there is a student with a service dog joining the classroom. The book can also be used to teach about inclusion in the classroom. I didn't find much information about the author and how her relates to the book itself.

[Cole Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was helpful in explaining service dogs to my cousin's children when I first got my service dog.

As a picture book, I think the decision to have the main character/handler of the service dog be a kid so readers can relate to the story. That said, it is a bit odd that the handler is such a young child since in order to be a service dog handler you have to be responsible for the dog. In fact, many times parents will act as the legal handlers of service dogs until the child is considered mature enough and knowledgable enough to handle any disagreements around access for the handler-service dog team (e.g. calmly responding to managers, police, random strangers when confronted about having a service dog or ordered to leave building you are required access to as a disabled person).

Despite this oddity it is well-illustrated and was engaging to the three, four, and seven-year-old children I've read it with.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: This book is about a boy with muscular dystrophy and receives a service dog to help him. The story goes through the progression of getting the dog and training about learning to be a team. The book also talks about how the boy is worried about bringing the dog to school and how people might treat him in school.

Evaluation: This is a great book to teach acceptance of students who are different

Grade Level: K-2

Publication Year: 1994

Discussion Points:
- Talk about acceptance
- All students are different and should be treated respectfully
- Differentiation - what you need may not be with someone else needs to succeed
- Service animals and their role in disabilities
- Great started to discuss disabilities and how to be helpful and accepting

[Jonnathan Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book! I love reading books that aren't your typical children's book. I liked how this little boy was able to feel "normal" or whatever that means, by having his buddy with him. I know that we all have that one "buddy" in our lives. This book really hits home for me because it reminds me of my brother and just thinking about it breaks my heart.

I could use this book in my class by showing that even if other people are different, that does not mean they are less. I could use this book to teach acceptance. This book can also teach students to be aware of students with disabilities and the importance of helping other students.

[Auttumn C]

When I was little I use to check this book out every time I went to the library, no joke! when I was younger I was captivated by an animal helping out a person and to this day I still am! This book would be great for introducing therapy and service dogs. It is always great for students to learn about the different things that make this world unique and how to react to different situations they will encounter. This book could also be used as a teaching tool for a student who has a service dog or even if the service dog is in their school.

[Latise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book to teach students about our friends with disabilities. The book provides a detailed account of what it is like for a student to have a disability and the accommodations made to make their lives as easy as possible. This is also a great book to introduce to students that may be transiting to using a service dog because it gives a variety of perspectives, both good and bad. The only critique is that this is a lengthy book, so it may be best to read this to an older audience.

[Tonia Holloway]

I put this book in my culture shelf because it deals with differences, something that goes hand in hand with culture discussions. I would read this book at the beginning of the year, during the all about me theme, even if no kids have disabilities. I think it is important to address the topic so that if students will be aware that there are differences such as this and they won't be so surprised if they see somebody, or a peer, in a wheelchair or something.

[Bonnie Hoffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Buddy, by Audrey Osofsky is a children's book about a boy who has muscular dystrophy and his service dog. The dog is able to help him do many things he would not otherwise be able to do on his own. This is a good book for children ages 4-8 years old, as it helps a young child to have a greater understanding and empathy of what life might be like with a disability. It also tells of the special bond between the boy and his best friend.

[Tichina Fung-chung]

My Buddy is an inspirational book about a friendship between a boy diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and his dog who sereves as his assistant. It would be a great book to read to students in an inclusion classroom in understanding that friendship comes in many multiple forms and it is okay to be different.

[Ngoc Dang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for introducing students with special needs into the general classrooms. It shows the daily routine of a child with special needs. It shows children how a child with special needs use and do many things differently than them. The lively illustration shows great details. This book helps kids show respect for others who are different then they are.

[Alesha Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to teach children about the importance of helping other children and this book help make children aware of disabilities. This book teaches children that they should respect people that are differnt from themselves. This book shows how the dog helps the little boy who is losing all of his fine motor skills due to musular dystrophy.

[Amy Schmitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful first-person narrative about a boy with muscular dystrophy and his golden retriever, Buddy. Buddy is a service dog that helps his master do things that he is not able to do on his own. This story does a great job of explaining and illustrating the unusual friendship of a boy and his service dog and also provides an opportunity to discuss differences.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was very inspirational. It was very sweet how the dog would help the little boy with disability, so that way he wouldn't have to keep asking people for help. His dog was so helpful and I'm glad he was able to still live somewhat of a normal like without having everyone always staring at him.

[Logan Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really would enjoy reading this to my future classroom. This is a great book to teach children about the importance of helping other children and this book helps make children aware of disabilities. This book teaches children that they should respect people that are differnt from themselves.

[Sabeen]

A great way to instill love for animals in young children, by reading this book. The book displays a very positive attitude towards animals and dogs. i think it would be helpful for parents to teach their child that dogs are not always wild or bad through this book.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well-illustrated, well-told story - a bit outdated, and the Canine Companions colors but not wanting to mark it as a Canine Companions dog was a bit strange, but still a wonderful story for young children.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read book for any parent or teacher. Tells your children how to treat a helper dog when it is on the job.

[Codie Gates · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about a boy who has a special dog to help him out because he is in a wheelchair.

[Whitney Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

For what it is, it's pretty darn good. I think it's fit for 2nd grade and up.