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Black Dog
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
37 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Allen
111 books86 followersPamela Kay Allen MNZM AM, born in 1934 in Devonport, New Zealand, is a celebrated children's author and illustrator.
Since the release of her first book, Mr. Archimedes' Bath, in 1980, she has written and illustrated over 50 picture books, selling over five million copies. Renowned for works like Who Sank the Boat?.
Allen has received numerous accolades, including the Children's Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award and the Margaret Mahy Medal. Her books have been adapted for the stage and are beloved worldwide. Now residing in Auckland, she remains an icon in children's literature.
Since the release of her first book, Mr. Archimedes' Bath, in 1980, she has written and illustrated over 50 picture books, selling over five million copies. Renowned for works like Who Sank the Boat?.
Allen has received numerous accolades, including the Children's Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award and the Margaret Mahy Medal. Her books have been adapted for the stage and are beloved worldwide. Now residing in Auckland, she remains an icon in children's literature.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 4, 2018
Unlike many other Pamela Allen's books, this book is dark, a bit weird, and sad. 22- month old Little-AJ doesn't get it, and Mummy too struggles to understand the deeper (or darker?) meaning of this book.
Black dog and Christina were best friends. They played together, all seasons. Winter came, Christina decided to feed the birds. On the third night when she was doing this, she thought she saw a strange and wonderful blue bird. Christina became obsessed with the (probably imaginative) blue bird. She dreamed about it, she watched and waited all day for it, she became thinner and thinner.
(Spoiler ahead) the ending made my heart ached. Black dog decided to "pretend" to be the blue bird by jumping down from the tree. I am glad black dog survived despite the stunt ("his heart was beating fast"). Christina whispered "black dog, I love you."
I felt uncomfortable seeing a dog taking drastic measure just to grab his owner/ best friend's attention, or just to satisfy his owner/ best friend's odd obsession with a probably non-existent creature. I find it worrying to see a little girl that young to become "thinner and thinner" due to some unexplained obsession. The theme feels really "adult" and a bit too complicated/ deep for young children. But that's just my thought (the kids might disagree!)
Blog review here: https://storypleasemummy.wordpress.co...
Black dog and Christina were best friends. They played together, all seasons. Winter came, Christina decided to feed the birds. On the third night when she was doing this, she thought she saw a strange and wonderful blue bird. Christina became obsessed with the (probably imaginative) blue bird. She dreamed about it, she watched and waited all day for it, she became thinner and thinner.
(Spoiler ahead) the ending made my heart ached. Black dog decided to "pretend" to be the blue bird by jumping down from the tree. I am glad black dog survived despite the stunt ("his heart was beating fast"). Christina whispered "black dog, I love you."
I felt uncomfortable seeing a dog taking drastic measure just to grab his owner/ best friend's attention, or just to satisfy his owner/ best friend's odd obsession with a probably non-existent creature. I find it worrying to see a little girl that young to become "thinner and thinner" due to some unexplained obsession. The theme feels really "adult" and a bit too complicated/ deep for young children. But that's just my thought (the kids might disagree!)
Blog review here: https://storypleasemummy.wordpress.co...
March 10, 2021
A strange story that could be appreciated by older students, but I think it is a bit too dark for Pamela Allen's target age group. I am struggling to find exactly what is being communicated here, other than we take the things and people we have for granted.
On a side note, I am sure the choice of black dog & bluebird is deliberate and was trying to find how the story links to depression and the bluebird of happiness...but I couldn't find it.
On a side note, I am sure the choice of black dog & bluebird is deliberate and was trying to find how the story links to depression and the bluebird of happiness...but I couldn't find it.
November 8, 2022
Is it about depression? Is it about not taking this for granted? Not sure. But it is not for primary aged children due to the dog flying out of the tree in a crumpled heap.
January 8, 2018
A book to read based on friendship. Christina, the little girl in the story, does everything with her companion, Black Dog. She becomes obsessive about thinking she saw a beautiful bird whilst feeding breadcrumbs, to the extent that she ignores Black Dog. The obsession of the blue bird controls her life, to the exclusion of Black Dog. Eventually, they are reconciled! Good book to question what happens next and to talk about not taking your friends for granted.
July 11, 2012
I don't get it...?
September 23, 2020
A lovely picture book about appreciating what you have in life and trying to change yourself when you are no longer wanted.
Christina and Black Dog are best friends and feature frequently at the beginning of the book together, surrounded by light colours. The images show them being together through all four seasons, reflecting their long and happy relationship. One day, Christina decides to give some bread to the birds outside and watches until a small bird comes to eat it. More birds begin to appear as we watch the picture of Black Dog begin to get smaller. Christina starts dreaming about a beautiful blue bird which is pictured above her in her bed, while Black Dog is left on the floor, contrasting how he is drawn in close proximity to her at the beginning.
As the blue bird image grows larger, we see Black Dog's facial expression change as he looks longingly at Christina. The blue bird has replaced where black dog was at the beginning of the story, continuing to get bigger and brighter to reflect Christina choosing the bird over Black Dog. We then see the words appear above Black Dog as he is pushed out of the frame with Christina altogether and is looking longingly at the story being told above him.
An amazing image of the trees and black dog then appears, he is so well camouflaged that it would take a while for the children to spot him as he fades into the background. I would use this picture as a starting point for a discussion about what the book might be about.
Finally, Black Dog tries to fly by jumping out of a tree, imitating the behavior of Christina's new bird interest as a last attempt to save their friendship. The page splits to show a colourful side, representing Christina's imagination, and a darker side of the forest where Black Dog has been pushed over to. The colour returns and his facial features are a lot more contented to show that Christina has recognised that she neglected the friendship and she’s remembering everything she had with him: "the warmth of her body" as she gives him a hug.
Christina and Black Dog are best friends and feature frequently at the beginning of the book together, surrounded by light colours. The images show them being together through all four seasons, reflecting their long and happy relationship. One day, Christina decides to give some bread to the birds outside and watches until a small bird comes to eat it. More birds begin to appear as we watch the picture of Black Dog begin to get smaller. Christina starts dreaming about a beautiful blue bird which is pictured above her in her bed, while Black Dog is left on the floor, contrasting how he is drawn in close proximity to her at the beginning.
As the blue bird image grows larger, we see Black Dog's facial expression change as he looks longingly at Christina. The blue bird has replaced where black dog was at the beginning of the story, continuing to get bigger and brighter to reflect Christina choosing the bird over Black Dog. We then see the words appear above Black Dog as he is pushed out of the frame with Christina altogether and is looking longingly at the story being told above him.
An amazing image of the trees and black dog then appears, he is so well camouflaged that it would take a while for the children to spot him as he fades into the background. I would use this picture as a starting point for a discussion about what the book might be about.
Finally, Black Dog tries to fly by jumping out of a tree, imitating the behavior of Christina's new bird interest as a last attempt to save their friendship. The page splits to show a colourful side, representing Christina's imagination, and a darker side of the forest where Black Dog has been pushed over to. The colour returns and his facial features are a lot more contented to show that Christina has recognised that she neglected the friendship and she’s remembering everything she had with him: "the warmth of her body" as she gives him a hug.
November 25, 2019
An interesting short picture book. It follows the story of a girl and her dog, they go on all kinds of adventures together and are inseparable until Christina find a new obsession for a small blue bird she thinks she has spotted. During this time, black dog becomes isolated and alone from his best friend. To get her attention he feels he has to become the blue bird. In the end, the girl realised the importance of living what she has around her.
Good book for seasons.
Good book for seasons.
September 5, 2018
Clearly metaphorical, I wasn't sure I immediately understood what this dark wee tale was trying to say. Don't put your faith in fantasies when there's someone closer who loves you? And whilst I can see it might strike a chord with older readers, I'm not sure how many children would regard it as anything other than a slightly depressing story (albeit with a happier ending).
June 4, 2022
It’s got me scratching my head. Was it a fable? Was there some literary device going on? Mysterious. The pictures reminded me of Maurice Sendak’s which added to the vibe of wondering if something dark was going on. It ends abruptly.
I think I sort of liked it a bit.
I think I sort of liked it a bit.
August 16, 2023
Definitely my favourite Pamela Allen story about love, loyalty, friendship & appreciating what you have.
It is a complex story that would best be suited to older students as it invites the reader to think deeply, ask questions, develop empathy & remind them not to take friends/pets for granted.
It is a complex story that would best be suited to older students as it invites the reader to think deeply, ask questions, develop empathy & remind them not to take friends/pets for granted.
March 17, 2020
Oh my goodness - my all-time favourite Pamela Allen book...ever!
July 5, 2020
Weird and not appropriate for kids. Way too dark.
October 21, 2020
Good for discussion about friendships but little storyline making the book basic.
March 11, 2024
Kids can have little a depression, as a treat
July 25, 2009
A book in which, adults will also ponder the black dog of winter
August 25, 2013
Poignant, multi-layered story about love and friendship.
September 11, 2025
Ok this book is depressing, but I still really liked it when I was younger. Probably better suited to slightly older children as although its a simple story, it is rather dark.
May 8, 2019
Pam you are an idiot ! - I just read this rubbish to my kid, he is too young to deal with the subject of a suicidal attention seeking dog - maybe you should follow black dogs example yourself?
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews