Dog Train: A Wild Ride on the Rock-and-Roll Side [Book and CD]

by Sandra Boynton, Michael Ford (Collaborator)

Full of attitude, full of fun, and all lit up with star power, Dog Train is a Recording Industry Association of America Gold Album with 600,000 copies in print. Another great book-and-CD production by Sandra Boynton, it features all original songs recorded by big-name acts and great voices. Blues Traveler performs a stomping version of the title song, a moody rock journey that Boynton wrote especially for them. And then there’s Alison Krauss with “Evermore.” And Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme—really—who do the “Boring Song.” The Spin Doctors, who channel rock’s rebellious side—with a taste of punk—for “Tantrum”: “ No No No, I don’t want to, I don’t want to./No no no, I don’t want to, no no./Leave me alone. Leave me alone./LEAVE ME ALONE. ” And the sweetly unexpected pairing of “Weird Al” Yankovic and Kate Winslet (yep, Kate Winslet) as a duet singing “I Need a Nap.” The full-color book features a portion of each song’s lyrics set as a little story, illustrated with Boynton’s irresistible hippos, cows, dogs, and more dogs. Full lyrics appear in the back.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Music, Humor, Animals, Fiction, Poetry

64 pages, Hardcover

First published November 10, 2005

About the author

Sandra Keith Boynton is an American humorist, songwriter, director, music producer, children's author, and illustrator. Boynton has written and illustrated over eighty-five books for children and seven general audience books, as well as over four thousand greeting cards, and seven music albums. She has also designed calendars, wallpaper, bedding, stationery, paper goods, clothing, jewelry, and plush toys for various companies.

Reviews

[Khari · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm trying to figure out the genre and intended audience of this book.

The lyrics make me think it's intended for quite young children, but then it's got the sheet music in the back, so it can't be intended for that young of children. The lyrics are fairly simple words, casting my recollection back, I don't remember anything above three syllables, if they are expecting the kids to be able to sound out those words by themselves, the level jumps up quite a bit by expecting them to read sheet music.

Maybe it's more for the parents?

I missed out on a lot of this book because I no longer have a cd player, so couldn't listen to the songs while reading them. I also can't read sheet music well enough to hear the songs in my head, so....apparently I'm not the intended audience. lol.

I thought having a song about having a temper tantrum as the introduction to the book was bad planning on their part, but then again, if it's intended for the parents, perhaps it was meant as a bit of humor.

The only song I liked was the 'I want a nap' song, because I could completely empathize with it.

Story: Random collection of songs, some about life as a child, some about cow planets?
Art: Meh
Price: $17.95

At least you get your money's worth, 34 pages of songs, sheet music, a cd, and artist introduction.

[Anthony Minieri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Songs
Awards: N/A
Appropriate Grade Levels: 1-5
Summary: Dog train is a book and CD production that features several original songs by big name artists and other great voices.
Review: While the book does not serve too much of a purpose on its own, pairing it with the CD makes for a great experience that all students can enjoy. There are several unique songs that are sure to make children laugh and they will remember them as well with their catchy tune.
In-Class Uses:
-Use for a song break between lessons so children will exert built up energy from the day
-Use the book in tandem with the songs--children follow along with the book as the audio plays (reading activity)

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because you can definitely sing along to all the songs, like "Dog Train (running all night long, it'll be fun until dawn)" and "No no no (I don't wanna, I don't wanna"). And because there's just notes in the book (notes notes notes). I can't really read notes.

[Jessica Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite of the sing along read along books of its type. I enjoyed this book as a kid, but it is really best enjoyed with the CD that accompanies the book. We also just enjoyed the CD alone. The book by itself isn't fantastic, but the illustrations are cute.

[Anita Hinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific. All the songs are stuck in my head!

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very creative. I really like the Penguin Lament.

[Rick Christiansen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Without the disc this is kind of pointless.

[Emjay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love you Weird Al Yankovic!!

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this brightly illustrated book are the words for 17 lively songs, and a CD is included for singing along. Some songs are: Dog Train by Blues Traveler; I need a Nap by Kate Winslet & Weird Al Yankovic; Penguin Lament by John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting; Dragonfire by Rob Hyman.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is FANTASTIC FANTASTIC FANTASTIC!!!! Any of you with kids out there MUST have this book and cd!! My kids love it, and so do I (which is saying something...) All of the songs are my favorite--Tantrum, I Need a Nap, Penguin's Lament, Boring Song, Sneakers, Forever and Ever... SOOOOOOOOOOOO good! I'd put even more than five stars on this if I could! It cracks me up and it's VERY well done! Seriously--go get this book! How can you go wrong with Sandra Boynton???

(I might add that this book is not a reading book. It is the lyrics/read along pics for the cd! Thought I'd mention that. It's more for the fun music than for reading enjoyment. I've also heard her other book/cd combinations are super fun, too. Anyone know?)

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another of Sandra Boynton's brilliant book/CD combinations. Michael Ford wrote the music for this one, again; and, again, the music is brilliant. And the recording artists for this collaboration are phenomenal: Alison Krauss and Blues Traveler to just name two. So we have Sandra Boynton's silly illustrations and lyrics, great music and some stellar performers: What's not to like?

This is my little boy's fourth Boynton book/CD. What is really wonderful them is that I keep a couple of the CDs in the car and when he starts to get fussy, I can just pop one into the player and he calms right down. Even better, the music is quite sophisticated -- even if the lyrics are ridiculous -- so I don't feel compelled to jump out of the car when I should in fact be driving.

Everybody's happy!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This album (with book) holds the distinction of being the one and only album that my husband and I are as eager to pop in as our 8- and 4-year-old. It's not without its weak points, but the combination of Sandra Boynton's clever lyrics with the musical prowesses of some familiar names (Spin Doctors, Blues Traveler, Allison Krauss, etc.) and a variety of musical styles make it a truly worthwhile family listen. Our favorite is the hilarious duet with Weird Al and Kate Winslet entitled "I Need a Nap," performed in the style of an 80s ballad. Brilliant.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dog Train is BRILLIANT!!! I love almost every minute of it. Every song is musically brilliant, hysterically funny, and/or deeply touching. If you have kids in your life (I'm an aunt), you will recognize SO much in the lyrics. Even if you don't have kids in your life, I would recommend Dog Train... I actually can't think of anyone that I like who wouldn't love Dog Train! Musically, this album made me want to go out and find more music from every one of these artists, and it reminded me why I liked Blues Traveler in high school.

[Barbara M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is terrific! I enjoyed Blue Moo and determined that my grandsons needed this book. I also know how hard sharing is so I bought Dog Train so I could give both boys a book. I love Dog Train as much as Blue Moo. I'll see my grandsons in a couple of days (they live thousands of miles away) and I can't wait to see how they react to the songs. "Tantrum" is delightful, softly sung and building in momentum. "Evermore" brought a tear to my eye as a Mom. "I Need a Nap" was just great sung by Kate Winslet and Weird Al Jankovic! Every song was excellent.

[Mloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty cute book, but it's more enjoyable when you're listening along to the cd that accompanies it. Has a lot of cute songs like the one about a bear with sneakers and I also liked the "I need a nap" one. The songs about the space cows were a little weird but I guess it's all in good fun.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The CD is great :) We aren't into the book yet as my son would eat the pages!

[Karalee]

Music book. Philadelphia Chickens is better.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comes with a CD, that is actually very good. The book itself is mainly song lyrics.

[Xiao Yu]

Kohl's Cares for Kids book

[LaSchelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't listened to it as much as Philadephia Chickens but I love some of the songs too! This reminds me of one of my sister's and her two boys.

[Roseann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia & I love to sing and dance along to this one, Sandra Boynton's best compilation of kids songs that are funny and raucus and not annoying to parents...! Lots of Fun!

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as awesome as her previous two editions, but still rockin' music that's great for the kids.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. First of all, it's a Boynton book and second, it comes with a CD of all the songs performed by various people. The songs are great fun for the young and the old-er.

[Amy Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

good cd!

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter loves this and all Boynton books so it has to get 5 stars!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rock and roll as if I was introducing it to a child, and the child is ME! A wonderful music to laugh at and wonder about. Book's illustrations are laughable and endearing.

[Donell]

Fun!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun! My kids love this book/cd combo.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me and my 5 yr old are loving this book of silly songs sung by accomplished musicians. Book includes all lyrics and musical score.

[Marlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book (along with the CD) has been a favorite in my house for years. The songs are fun, silly, surprising, different, and simple. The pictures in the book are simple and perfect.