Thoughts of Dog

by Matt Nelson

Genres: Animals, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Humor, Dogs, Comics, Picture Books

128 pages, Hardcover

Published October 27, 2020

About the author

[There is more than one Matt Nelson in the GR database. This is Matt^Nelson, a humorist who writes mostly about dogs.]

Reviews

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew nothing about the author or the origin of this story before I decided to read this, and it was a pleasant surprise. But, so you know, this is by the creator of both Thoughts of Dog and WeRateDogs on Twitter, and he has a lot of followers.

There’s much about Dog’s best stuffed fren sebastian, and the human with frequent mentions of the goings on, when the human has another human fren come to visit, and they all cuddle on the couch, Dog, his fren sebastian, human and human fren, watching a movie.

"according to the transitive property of cuddles. the human’s fren is also cuddling sebastian"

When the human heads off to work, Dog offers to allow the human to take sebastian with him to work for the day, and spends the day waiting for their return, including his many naps and thoughts.

There’s a trip to the Beach with adventures in the water and digging up the sand, collecting seashells and scaring away the birds.

4th of July and the associated 'sky booms' in the sky are followed by the sentiment that those 'sky booms' that occur outside of this day should never be tolerated – which I’m sure my dogs would happily vote in agreement.

Halloween is covered, as well as Car Rides, and of course one on the obligatory mailman, whom Dog looks forward to seeing since he knows that the mailman was the one who brought Sebastian to him. This friendship develops, and is very touching, especially as the story nears the end.

Loved that in his Acknowledgments, the author starts by thanking his two beautiful golden retrievers, saying "I simply interpret their perfection."

Halle and Story gave this five stars, whereas Paisley gave it one star, begrudgingly, because, well, no cats.


Published: 27 Oct 2020

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing

[Sheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

so wholesome and sweet wow. i love dogs

[Radwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

English Review Below.

زادت الكتب التي أصادفها مؤخرا والمستوحاة من حسابات على تويتر وهذا واحد آخر منها، مستوحى من حساب يحاكي أفكار كلب. والكتاب ببساطة عن كلب ودميته وصديقه الإنسان وما يفعلونه في مناسبات مختلفة، مكتوب بأسلوب بسيط وجميل يشبه الطريقة التي يتخيل الناس أنها طريقة تفكير أو حديث الكلاب. ملائمة للأطفال طبعا أو للبالغين الذين يريدون كتابا خفيفا ولطيفا ومضحكا.

I didn't even know that this book is inspired by a twitter account (There are more and more books coming out like this, I'm starting to notice) but I'll be following that account ASAP.

This was such a cute story about a dog and his stuffed elephant and what he gets up to on different occasion with his human, and the writing style is made to resemble how people think dogs would talk/think. It's very cute and put a smile on my face, and I wish there was a similar one for cats.
Suitable for kids and adults wanting a quick heartwarming laugh.

I thank Netgalley for the ARC

[Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of the famous Twitter account are sure to love this book. It’s sweet and funny and a great reminder of why dogs are a blessing. I’ll be giving out several copies as gifts.

This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.

[Rebecca Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt Nelson’s Thoughts of Dog is a lovely, pure, and sweet picture book detailing the adventures of a good dog. This is a funny, wholesome, and heart-warming book that will be perfect for both the kids and adults in your life.

I absolutely loved this darling collection! This book takes us through several little adventures in the life of a very good dog and his stuffed elephant “fren” Sebastian. This friendly dog shows us that there’s magic and joy to be found in everyday events like building a snowman, having a movie night, going to the beach, and getting a new mailman.

Every little chapter is so happy and warm and filled with such sweet and innocent humour. I couldn’t help but smile and sniffle my way through this book! I just love every cute and moving interaction that Dog has with children, other dogs, and people. I also love the joy and happiness that Dog shares with others. Throughout the book, Nelson nicely manages to evoke warm feelings of friendship, love, and togetherness, without being forced or cheesy.

The writing is simple, easy-to-follow, and very fitting. It will be just lovely to read out loud with kids.

The art style is simple but nicely done and adorable. The full-page pictures are just so fun and sweet. Although there isn’t a lot of detail in the pictures, there’s just something so pure and approachable about the drawings. I love the soft and gentle colours. I especially love how cute and expressive Dog’s face is.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this book in exchange for an honest review.


🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶 out of 5 good dogs!

[✨ivy✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the sweetest books i’ve ever read🤍

[Nika Huffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting 2021 right with one book on the roster. Needless to say, its a freebie.

However, this book is special. Any fur parent will be touched by the relatable interpretations of what its like to be an intelligent dog who lives in a loving home. I got the 2021 calendar too and look forward to a daily dose of Thoughts of Dog. Love, love, love!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

We. Do. Not. Deserve. Dogs.

[Nostalgia Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 skittles.

dogs thoughts. are as heartfelt as ever. even in long story form. i do wish. the skittle under the fridge. made an appearance though. but there is plenty. of stuffed fren sebastian. to make up for that.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute book! Colorful, simple drawings depicting the thoughts & activities of a beautiful dog/friend! Simple text that sure seems like what a dog seems to be thinking! Everyone who's loved a dog can surely relate to this & will like this book. Recommended for all ages! This was the 1st time I'd read any of Matt Nelson.......now consider myself a fan!
I did receive a complimentary e-ARC of this book from Andrews McMeel Publishing via NetGalley, in return for reading it & posting my own fair & honest review

[Aileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a good, adorable cry!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming book from a dogs perspective.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
Who can resist that adorable cover?! I'm not a social media fan but I did enjoy the book WeRateDogs so I knew this book would be good. And it is. The illustrations are super cute. Dog's life practically revolves around his stuffed "fren" Sebastian, which is adorable. This book will make you smile and then encourage you to go hug your dog immediately.

[Rebecca Brenner Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

so cute and funny- best children’s book EVER!

[riss · Rating 5 out of 5]

-a short summary: Based on the beloved Twitter sensation, Thoughts of Dog contains never-before-seen, sweet and funny reflections on life from the pup-spective of a gooooob dog, who, above all else, loves their human.

Join a dog and their stuffed “fren” sebastian as they navigate life’s adventures through the most wholesome lens imaginable.

-my review: This story was so cute! It took me about ten minutes to read, and it’s not text dense at all. I’ll definitely share this with friends of all ages: from my young cousins to the kids I tutor to my grandma! It’s a great book to decompress with. In these crazy times, we all need a little bit of “feelgood” content.

-a rating on a star scale of 1-5: 5/5 stars

-my favorite line(s):
“My stuffed fren Sebastian and I have decided to build a snowman.” This page was adorable! The pup giving his stuffed friend his hat was so cute.
“As the human put the final touches on the snowman. They were also kind enough to bring me a snack. Today was a good day.” Awww the pup loves their human!
“According to the transitive property of cuddles, the human’s fren is also cuddling Sebastian.” The pup is so cute and I could use this to explain transitive properties to the kids I tutor!
“I’m just happy holding the bucket.” The pup is always so happy, this is a great feelgood book.
“There’s even a little throne. For my stuffed fren Sebastian. He plans to rule benevolently.” This took me out. I laughed so hard at this line.
“We have entered spooky season. So we are all headed to the pumpkin patch. And although I’ve been told. I can only bring one pumpkin home, I am going to say hi. To every pumpkin I see.” Why is this me? I do this everytime we go to the grocery store or a pumpkin patch during spooky season.
“Because we have a lot of love to give. And this one needed all of it.” They chose an ‘ugly’ pumpkin...nobody talk to me, I’m crying.


-how to get in touch with the author/the author’s website/social media: Find Matt Nelson on his Goodreads page here!

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely precious. I've never been a dog person, and I don't follow either social media account that this author runs, but I decided to read this to see if it would be a good gift idea for my younger sister. It is, and I also hugely enjoyed it. The dog is adorable, and because his "stuffed fren Sebastian" is a major character, I related to all of the stories and humor about stuffed animal ownership. It brought back a lot of memories from my childhood.

I'm not sure if this book is primarily designed for children or adults, but it is appropriate for any reader. The illustrated stories are all short and simple, such that an elementary-aged child could read them independently, but they are also so fun and relatable that adults will enjoy them as well. Of course, this book is most geared towards people who love dogs, but I enjoyed it tremendously after having only had three or four meaningful canine attachments throughout my life, and people don't have to be a Thoughts of Dog social media fan to find this delightful. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read something charming, wholesome, and sweet.

I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[val | starrynight.reads ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

* Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *

I've been a fan of WeRateDogs and Thoughts of Dog on Twitter for a few years now and I was really excited to read this cute story by the creator Matt. This story is just so cute and wholesome and it's the perfect little book to warm your heart if you love pups. Its the story of a gooooob dog and his stuffed "fren" Sebastian going on little adventures together. I loved the artwork and the story and would highly recommend to all the dog lovers out there who want to read a cute story that will make them smile!

[Cecille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read about Dog and his stuffed fren Sebastian as they experience snow and meet the mailman and go on a trip to the beach and have other adventures. A great reminder for us humans to similarly immerse ourselves in every moment and find joy in it. The illustrations are understated but effective. Highly recommended for dog lovers especially those who need a quick pick-me-up. Follow @dog_feelingsig and @weratedogs (if you haven’t yet) for more quality dog content.

[Dana K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a bunch of super cute vignettes about a dog and his positive happy thoughts about the world. It's exactly the type of book everyone needs in 2020. The illustrations are really lovely. There were several laugh out loud moments and others which tugged at my heart strings as a dog lover. The Halloween section was my favorite! I want to buy this book for all of my dog loving family and friends!

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been enjoying the @dog_feelings twitter account for a while now, and was excited to see that a book was going to be published. It was a quick read, but a heartwarming one. I am convinced that if we lived our lives the way it seems most dogs live theirs (always ready to cuddle, share a 'fren' and make new 'frens' along the way!), the world would be a much happier place.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this one constituted the best 15 minutes of my day! For those who believe in the power of wholesome dog content. I read it out loud to Jesse and he loved it, too. He also used to have a stuffed fren, but he ate it.

[Nicole (bookwyrm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an adorable comic styled after the Twitter posts of Thoughts of Dog. It is safe to say that if you like the tweets, you will like the book. It's essentially a cute book with illustrated tweets. Given the short nature of the texts (even though this is in a book, there's still only a single tweet's worth of text per page) this is a very fast read. The illustrations by Malory Pacheco help fill this book with smiles, and it's a perfect short escape.

[amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

starting the year off with a super wholesome and adorable book. dogs are too good for us.

[Devon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love dogs. This was so adorable and wholesome. 🥺🥰

[Sherri Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is touching, funny and a wonderful read that I'll revisit often!!! Uplifting!!!! Highly recommend!!!

[Kelly Schnorrbusch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warning: Wholesome content inside!

I want this book to be non-fiction and firmly believe that Matt Nelson is a modern-day Dr. Doolittle, telling us what our canine companions really think about each day. Spoiler alert - it's you! If you're familiar with the Thoughts of Dog Twitter feed, then you're familiar with the premise. This book takes those little 280-character morsels of dog thoughts and expands on it, making each entry a bit more of a story with illustrations of a Golden Retriever and it's stuffed fren Sebastian.

I was hoping for something a little different than the Twitter feed in terms of content, perhaps a new doggo fren. Overall this is still a great book that made me feel feelings, but they were all a bit more on the sweet/sad side of the spectrum. If there's a sequel, I'd love to see a bit more variety & silliness in the thoughts. My dog has many personalities and I think this little Golden girl does, too.

[Ren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think for existing fans of the author, this book will be a bigger hit. I wasn't familiar prior to reading this and overall was underwhelmed. The final story of the mailman was touching, but otherwise the stories are kind of cute but feel rather pointless. Illustrations are cute. I could see this in a vet's office waiting room but can't imagine buying it for anyone.

Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honesty review.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided with a copy of Thoughts of Dog by Matt Nelson in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

As a dog momma myself, I see these behaviours and gestures in my own dogs, and I’d like to think this is the way their pure, kind and selfless minds and hearts work.

As Josh Billings once said, “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” …
And I do believe that to be true.

And this short but incredibly sweet and to the point illustrated book demonstrates that exactly.

I loved the thoughts, the artwork and the entire book overall. If you’re portraying a dog’s character and thoughts in this manner, it can only have a positive outcome.

I recommend this book to all dog lover and dog parents, because it’s very heartwarming and comforting.

Having just lost one of my own dogs, my beautiful Noa, not even 2 weeks ago, and being heartbroken, this short book brought me some comfort and tears, but all in a good way.
It brought back all the memories of how much she loved her toys, how much she enjoyed showing them to me and bringing them to me when I was feeling down, and then also sharing them with our other dogs.

Dogs have a sense of compassion that goes beyond what any human is capable of in my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this in advance.

#ThoughtsofDog #NetGalley

[Neriah · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I think it was selfish. To keep Sebastian to myself during the movie. So I passed him around. And let everyone get their share of cuddles."

Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel for providing me with an e-arc.

As an wholesome collection exploring a dog and their fren Sebastian on lil adventures they navigate through in life, 'Thoughts of Dog' is bound to leave you with a huge smile and tears stains all around you and over you because this book is going to make you cry. Halfway into the book and this book made me dirty sob because that's just how emotional that part was. I wanted to scream, "Who gave you the right to do this to me?" Someone else said in their review that we don't deserve dogs and they are absolutely right.

I don't even have to suggest this to anyone. If you already haven't picked this on your own, what even is the point? This book comes with the most adorable illustrations with wholesome thoughts of a dog, like what valid reason do you have to not read this? This book is so damn precious and it must be treated as such. Periodt.

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never followed the accounts by the author, but do see the tweets in my timeline from time to time. This book expands on the "dog_thoughts" account, written in the style of the account but luckily without regurgitating the exact same content as other books often do. It tells us the...thoughts of a dog, frome being scared of the "sky booms" to hanging out with tiny humans to other various dog activities.

It is a cute little graphic novel type book, with text that is written in the style of the account but more of a "story" format. The words are accompanied by lovely color pictures in the style of the cover, so it makes for a nice little book to flip through and enjoy.

That is pretty much it. There is not much more to say and would say it is definitely more for the hardcore fans of the book. As mentioned, it is definitely a better type of book that is written based off a social media account/sensation, but if you're not into dogs or the style of the account, etc. this might not be for you.

I was happy to buy this to support the author. Others would probably prefer borrowing it from the library but this is definitely a book for anyone who likes the accounts.