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Up on Bob
Geisel Honor winner Mary Sullivan humorously and deftly delivers a sweet spin on cat-and-dog rivalry. Perfect for fans of Kelly DiPucchio and Vera Brosgol.
Bob the dog doesn’t mind hard work when it means he can reward himself with a nap. But Someone is watching him sleep! Hopefully they will just go away if Bob lies really still. But Someone, who happens to be a cat, has other things in mind.
Up on Bob is a humorous tale about sharing, working hard—and sleeping even harder. With irresistibly sly illustrations and pitch perfect pet dynamics, Geisel Honor–winning author-illustrator Mary Sullivan tells a sweet tale of friendship with a fresh new spin on the age-old cat-and-dog rivalry.
Bob the dog doesn’t mind hard work when it means he can reward himself with a nap. But Someone is watching him sleep! Hopefully they will just go away if Bob lies really still. But Someone, who happens to be a cat, has other things in mind.
Up on Bob is a humorous tale about sharing, working hard—and sleeping even harder. With irresistibly sly illustrations and pitch perfect pet dynamics, Geisel Honor–winning author-illustrator Mary Sullivan tells a sweet tale of friendship with a fresh new spin on the age-old cat-and-dog rivalry.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published February 11, 2020
2 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Mary Sullivan
46 books20 followersMary Sullivan received a BFA from the University of Texas at Austin but considers herself a self trained illustrator. Her childhood memories are of the many hours she spent perusing books, devouring poetry and studying very closely each and every illustration. She has shown her work at galleries and coffee shops in Austin and Dallas. More recently, she has begun channeling her energy into illustrations for children. She has worked with Highlights for Children, Scholastic, Innovative Kids, School Zone, Oxford Press UK, Pearson and many more. Her most recent book, BALL, was a 2014 ALA Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book.
Mary Sullivan has received a Rona Jaffe Foundation Award and a St. Botolph Foundation Award.
Mary lives in Austin Texas. She spends her days writing, drawing and walking her dogs.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Mary Sullivan has received a Rona Jaffe Foundation Award and a St. Botolph Foundation Award.
Mary lives in Austin Texas. She spends her days writing, drawing and walking her dogs.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
January 14, 2021
My wife and I celebrate our daughter's 20th birthday by taking turns reading her picture books on the living room sofa. My wife gets to start off with this super cute battle of wills between a naughty dachshund and a naughtier cat.
September 18, 2020
Bob is a Dachshund. Bob likes to sleep. Bob likes to sleep after doing a lot of hard work.
Hmmm. Whose ears are those that pop up at the edge of the carefully-arranged bed?
Bob tries to ignore the ears.
The ears belong to the Cat. The Cat does a lot of hard work. He especially has to work at getting comfortable next to Bob.
Delightful, Rachel.
Hmmm. Whose ears are those that pop up at the edge of the carefully-arranged bed?
Bob tries to ignore the ears.
The ears belong to the Cat. The Cat does a lot of hard work. He especially has to work at getting comfortable next to Bob.
Delightful, Rachel.
May 3, 2020
Funny and adorable!
August 20, 2020
This is a little story that is perfect for new readers. It's filled with all the elements that make a good picture book: simple text, endearing characters, and charming illustrations. It's the story of Bob the dog who works hard to prepare the bed for his daily nap. Bob is dismayed to find Someone impinging upon his peace, and the reader is drawn into the conflict. Delightful. Made me smile.
February 28, 2020
this is the first book that made my daughter laugh till she cried. needless to say i'll be purchasing it!
February 18, 2021
Possible contender for Mock Caldecott awards. Cute story about a dog who, just as he thinks his day is perfect and he can sleep it away, gets foiled by his friend (?) the cat.
January 30, 2020
A smartly paced, light-hearted, fun twist on the traditional dog-versus-cat story.
March 5, 2020
It's hard work getting everything just right for a nap -- and then Someone has to come along and create a hiccup in the process... What's a Bob to do?
April 1, 2022
I was having a bad day, then I read this and felt a little better. Cute book with cute pet illustrations. Can't get better than this truly.
February 7, 2020
I'm a sucker for chunky dogs.
January 23, 2022
Love sausage dog and cat 10/10
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2021
Bob, a brown dachshund, works hard to make sure the bed is just right for naptime. But he is being watched by a cat and as hard as he tries to ignore it, the cat will not go away. A delightful picture book that captures the humorous antics of a cat and dog who in their own ways really do like each other.
February 5, 2021
Every one has a job to do. The job is important.
July 14, 2021
Uproariously funny. I can't wait to read it to a group of kids!
June 4, 2020
Could this be based on a true family pet story? The main characters are a dog, named Bob, and a cat, called Someone. Both the cat and the dog have work to do in this story – hard work. In the beginning of the story we meet Bob. At the end of the story, we see that Bob and Someone are comfortable together and have plans for a long nap. What happens between is rather humorous!
I like the quote, “Someone likes hard work. Hard work pays off.” There is so much truth in this quote! Bob and Someone, both, have hard work to do! The pictures tell what the hard work is for each animal! Shhhhhh is a very big word in this story. Readers can help with the shhhhh sound. In the story, POUNCE is a word that will bring on squeals and peals of laughter from listeners!
The story is filled with emotions! Just look at Bob's eyes. Readers might see determination, surprise, fright, delight, and happiness! The dog seems to be hypnotized as the cat begins to give him a bath. Readers might wonder what is going to happen at the end of the bath.
The book combines a mix of half pages and full-page spreads. The full-page spreads are quite dramatic! This is a wonderful read aloud and an easy book for beginner readers to read!
If readers have a cat and a dog, they might have many stories like this one!
I like the quote, “Someone likes hard work. Hard work pays off.” There is so much truth in this quote! Bob and Someone, both, have hard work to do! The pictures tell what the hard work is for each animal! Shhhhhh is a very big word in this story. Readers can help with the shhhhh sound. In the story, POUNCE is a word that will bring on squeals and peals of laughter from listeners!
The story is filled with emotions! Just look at Bob's eyes. Readers might see determination, surprise, fright, delight, and happiness! The dog seems to be hypnotized as the cat begins to give him a bath. Readers might wonder what is going to happen at the end of the bath.
The book combines a mix of half pages and full-page spreads. The full-page spreads are quite dramatic! This is a wonderful read aloud and an easy book for beginner readers to read!
If readers have a cat and a dog, they might have many stories like this one!
September 23, 2020
First sentence: This is Bob. Up on the bed Bob has work to do. The work is hard. But Bob does not mind. Bob likes hard work. Hard work pays off.
Premise/plot: Bob, the dog, has a plan. A good plan, I might add. A plan that involves NAPPING in a bed. (Looks like a child's bed since it has a LOT of toys--hence his "hard work" in the opening sentences in clearing off his napping place.) But Bob's plans might be thwarted...by the cat! Bob calls the cat 'Someone' and that Someone also has a plan--a good plan for how to spend the day.
My thoughts: I really loved this one. Sullivan's story is simple--whether deceptively so or not--and hilarious. None of the sentences are complex. My guess is that it would be good for new readers or even pre-readers. (I do think that you get a good idea of the story based on reading the illustrations.) I love, love, love the repetition--the similarity between Bob's good plan and Someone's good plan. I also like the moral of the story--that sometimes life's unexpected "problems" or "obstacles" lead to something better than the original plan. I say the story has a moral, but, to clarify it isn't a preachy message. Readers have to conclude that for themselves.
Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10
Premise/plot: Bob, the dog, has a plan. A good plan, I might add. A plan that involves NAPPING in a bed. (Looks like a child's bed since it has a LOT of toys--hence his "hard work" in the opening sentences in clearing off his napping place.) But Bob's plans might be thwarted...by the cat! Bob calls the cat 'Someone' and that Someone also has a plan--a good plan for how to spend the day.
My thoughts: I really loved this one. Sullivan's story is simple--whether deceptively so or not--and hilarious. None of the sentences are complex. My guess is that it would be good for new readers or even pre-readers. (I do think that you get a good idea of the story based on reading the illustrations.) I love, love, love the repetition--the similarity between Bob's good plan and Someone's good plan. I also like the moral of the story--that sometimes life's unexpected "problems" or "obstacles" lead to something better than the original plan. I say the story has a moral, but, to clarify it isn't a preachy message. Readers have to conclude that for themselves.
Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10
February 26, 2020
Bob has an important day of uninterrupted rest planned. He ruffles up the bed covers and pushes pillows and decor onto the floor to make the perfect spot to nap in. But as he settles into sleep, a pair of suspicious ears poke over the far side of the mattress. A striped tail waves ever so mysteriously as Bob reopens an eye. The cat soon jumps into Bob's bed space and makes a little more room next to him as they cuddle together for a day of absolutely satisfying NOTHING.
The pictures are large and the words are brief to specifically accomodate little readers who would rather look at pictures than read text. The illustrations exemplify the humor of Bob's fastidious disruption of a perfectly made bed and his disgruntled acceptance of feline companionship. Readers can also see the contentment with which they finally settle into their naps. This could be a wordless picture book and since the text is uneccessary this might strengthen the rating by pushing it from good to great. This picture book is a solid, but not spectacular book for dog and cat lovers of every age.
The pictures are large and the words are brief to specifically accomodate little readers who would rather look at pictures than read text. The illustrations exemplify the humor of Bob's fastidious disruption of a perfectly made bed and his disgruntled acceptance of feline companionship. Readers can also see the contentment with which they finally settle into their naps. This could be a wordless picture book and since the text is uneccessary this might strengthen the rating by pushing it from good to great. This picture book is a solid, but not spectacular book for dog and cat lovers of every age.
March 24, 2024
Bob loves to nap and has to make his space perfect for him which may mean some redecorating is needed. Once he is happily comfortable he feels he is being watched and knows his comfort may be short lived. Humor abounds as a kitten tries to be comfortable for a nap, on top of Bob. This art is adorable and will produce much laughter when I read it aloud to my classes!
I had to choose this book about a Dachshund as I love the breed and I should have noticed the clues on the cover art, but I did not. Poor Bob is not getting is solitary peaceful nap. The kitten and Bob do figure out a way to catch some Z's by the end of this joyful romp.
I had to choose this book about a Dachshund as I love the breed and I should have noticed the clues on the cover art, but I did not. Poor Bob is not getting is solitary peaceful nap. The kitten and Bob do figure out a way to catch some Z's by the end of this joyful romp.
October 5, 2020
It takes very little searching online or social media to find examples of dachshund Bob's process for getting things "just right" for a serious nap. The same is true for video clips of kittens (the Somebody in this story) who do the same, using a dog as the platform for a "just right" nap. The circle story quality is delightful, fans of dachshunds will adore those two brown eyebrows above Bob's expressive eyes, and the parallel/repeating text make this charming picture book and ideal readw-it-yourslef choice for fans who ahve listened and followed along even a few times.
October 19, 2020
Grade Range: K- 2nd
Genre: Fiction
Over all, this was a really cute book and a really simple read. The illustrations are super cool and detailed like the dog hair on the bed and also the wrinkles in the sheets. I like the small lesson behind the book how hard work pays off. I feel that is a great lesson to teach kids at such a young age. All of the expressions that the dog makes really shows out his emotion., The composition in this kids book is very well written. I will definitely be keeping this book in my classroom.
Genre: Fiction
Over all, this was a really cute book and a really simple read. The illustrations are super cool and detailed like the dog hair on the bed and also the wrinkles in the sheets. I like the small lesson behind the book how hard work pays off. I feel that is a great lesson to teach kids at such a young age. All of the expressions that the dog makes really shows out his emotion., The composition in this kids book is very well written. I will definitely be keeping this book in my classroom.
August 18, 2022
Another one that the kids really enjoyed this morning. I wasn't sure if they would get the ending, but they did and they laughed spontaneously when they saw the illustration.
Bob is a dog and it seems like he might have the run of the house. He gets his sleeping area all prepped and ready for naptime. Then Someone shows up. Bob has a problem. I shelved this one under problem solving. There's no problem solving in the traditional STEM sense, but Bob solves the problem in a very satisfactory and peaceful way, a way that many parents wish their children would use.
Bob is a dog and it seems like he might have the run of the house. He gets his sleeping area all prepped and ready for naptime. Then Someone shows up. Bob has a problem. I shelved this one under problem solving. There's no problem solving in the traditional STEM sense, but Bob solves the problem in a very satisfactory and peaceful way, a way that many parents wish their children would use.
February 7, 2023
Great book about a dog working hard to get some rest. I can’t help but adore watching a dog toss things around and dig on a couch or bed to make himself comfortable before going to sleep. My dog does this at least two to three times a day and each time I watch with a smile on my face. Pillows fly off the couch, blankets are moved out of his way, he digs and gets no where, happy as ever once he finally plops down with a sigh of content. This brief picture book brilliantly depicts what it takes for a dog to get ready for a nap and it only gets better from there. Super cute! 4 stars
March 17, 2020
Naps are gold. Naps are sacred. Naps should be taken VERY seriously, and I have a certain way of enjoying my nap, so I fully get this book. I am really looking forward to reading this in storytime someday. I feel like my cats may do this while I am gone, if not to my bed, then definitely to the dining room table because we have come home to find things on the floor. Very bad cats, which kind of goes without saying, you know.
October 14, 2020
Once everyone leaves for the day, Bob the dog has work to do; hard work, messy work. But when it's done he can nap for the rest of the day. He finally settles into his nap but suddenly feels like he's being watched. Maybe they'll go away. Nope, it seems like this creature has work to do too; hard work, messy work. But when they are done they can also settle down for a nap.
A darling story, highly recommended for storytime.
A darling story, highly recommended for storytime.
August 5, 2023
This is a sweet and amusing story children will love. Bob the dog has work to do, hard work - and he proceeds to mess up a child's bed, tossing down the toys and knocking things over. He is getting ready to have a nap in the bed, until he senses Someone is watching him. The cat! The cat has work to do, hard work, and he proceeds to make his own bed Up On Bob! So funny and enjoyable story. Sweet ending. Great illustrations.
June 5, 2020
Adorable illustrations and rather true-to-life pet interactions. Loved the facial expressions on both critters coming to their compromise. Sweet finish to the story, just icing on the cake. Would love to pull it out for storytimes on pets, cats and/or dogs, family (can you argue that they look like siblings?). Any reason to read about the adorably sausage-y Bob and sneaky grey Someone!
April 7, 2025
If you own a dog, this books is so funny. The dog gets on the bed and throws everything off. Ugh. Yes, Why must they do that?
A cute and funny read about a dog and cat and prepositions. The story works well.
Kids will love this.
The artwork is digital and the roly-poly pets are super cute. Cute on cute.
A cute and funny read about a dog and cat and prepositions. The story works well.
Kids will love this.
The artwork is digital and the roly-poly pets are super cute. Cute on cute.
March 7, 2020
Bob has to work hard, and get everything just perfect in order fr him to nap all day. But when he gets everything just right, someone comes along and disrupts things. How will Bob ever get things perfect again to continue his nap?
July 21, 2020
My new favorite book. Our dachshund does this exact thing and it was like reading “his” book. While we don’t have a cat, sometimes our other dog snuggles with him. Up on Bob is a must read for dog and cat lovers.
August 14, 2020
I am not particularly a fan of this illustrator's work but their books perfectly capture some of pets' behaviors in a way that will cause pet owners to shake their heads, recognize, and maybe smile at.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews