Some Dog!: A Picture Book

by Mary Casanova, Ard Hoyt (Illustrator)

George was once a bouncy pup; now his pace is steady and slow. Still, he feels special. Then – " Ya-yippity, yappity, yeep-yeep-yeep !" – a stray dog bristling with energy lands on George's doorstep and wiggles himself right into George's family. Full of tricks, this new dog, Zippity, is a wonder! But when Zippity disappears, it's George who proves that an old dog with a few tricks of his own can still be . . . SOME DOG! Expressive watercolors brimming with humor make this a perfect choice for dog lovers of any age, while any child who has felt his status usurped by a new sibling will cheer as George, a most unlikely hero, saves the day. Some Dog! is a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Storytime, Friendship

40 pages, Hardcover

First published February 20, 2007

About the author

Mary Casanova is an award-winning children's author of novels and picture books. Many of her books stem from her life on the Minnesota-Canadian border; yet some of her stories have taken her as far away as France, Norway, and Belize for research. Whatever the setting for her books, Casanova writes stories that matter--and stories that kids can't put down.

Her book awards include: American Library Association "Notable," Aesop Accolades by the American Folklore Society, Parents' Choice "Gold" Award, Booklist Editor Choice, and two Minnesota Book Awards. Her books frequently land on state children's choice book master lists across the country. "The greatest reward for me," Casanova states, "is when a young reader tells me she or he loves one of my books. For me, it's all about communicating writer-to-reader through a character and story."

Casanova grew up in a family of ten children in St. Paul, Minnesota. In a bustling camp-like atmosphere, Casanova found that writing became her voice. "Words are my paintbrush," she explains, "my way of exploring the world around me."

Now, with 19 books published and many more under contract and forthcoming, she divides her time between writing and traveling. Nationally and internationally, at schools and conferences, Casanova shares her love of writing and reading with children and adults.

Her newest novel, The Klipfish Code, makes use of Mary's on-site research in Norway. The story explores an important facet of Norwegian history through the experiences of Marit, a 12-year-old Norwegian girl who finds a way to fight against the 5-year Nazi occupation of Norway. Marit and her brother Lars are separated from their parents (who are working for the Resistance) and sent to live on an island with their gruff grandfather and school teacher aunt. During the course of the story, Marit's aunt is one of the Norwegian school teachers that gets sent to a concentration camp for refusing to integrate Nazi propaganda into her classroom. With potential danger waiting every turn, Marit finds a way to help the Resistance and eventually reunite her family.

Mary's series, Dog Watch (Simon and Schuster) is based on her northern Minnesota village where dogs are allowed to roam free—as long as they don't get in trouble. If they get in trouble, they earn a sticker on their page at the village clerk's office; too many stickers and a trouble-making dog must remain at home. "I never know where the next story will come from. It’s a delight when the stories come right from this corner of the world I call home." She makes her home in a 100-year old house on Rainy Lake with her husband, Charles, and their three "above average" dogs and spends free time with their horses, Jay and Midnight.

Reviews

[midnightfaerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story about a dog whose owners gets a new dog, a little yappy one, that the first dog doesn't like. The story line is typical and predictable, but the illustrations are adorable. The sounds the different dogs make are fun, especially if you get into it. My kids like repeating the fun sounds and so it went over somewhat well in our house. The different sounds were more fun than the story though. The reading level is somewhere around a level 2 but probably still better as an adult read, not really for beginner's.

[Becky Loader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love George! It just goes to show: never underestimate age over youth.

[Megan (ReadingRover) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally! This is the awesome basset hound picture book that I have been waiting for!!! The whole thing was perfect. I love that the author is also a basset owner. Both she and the illustrator captured George the basset perfectly.
Some Dog is the story of George the basset hound who lives a lazy comfortable life with a man and a woman until a stray comes to live with them. The stray, Zippity, is hyper and enthusiastic about everything. He is also good at many things. He can get the paper, fetch sticks and even catch fish. George starts to feel a bit outdone and ignored. Then a loud storm hits and Zippity gets scared and starts to run, jump and crash around the house and finally goes outside and gets lost. The man and the woman call on George to catch Zippity's scent to find him. George is the best scent tracker there is and he tracks Zippity all over even after the man and woman go home. Finally George finds Zippity and rescues him. He brings him home and is a hero. From that day on he and Zippity are friends and live a happy life with the man and woman.
I loved this book. It shows that even when someone new comes into your life and makes you feel not as noticed because they can do things that you can't that you should remember that you are still just as loved and needed as you always were. You are special because you are you and can do other things that only you can do.
The other thing that made this book so great was the artwork. It was adorable and captured the essence of a basset hound perfectly. The sad, droopy eyes, the fat feet and every wrinkle. The expressions on George's face were priceless. In contrast Zippity was just as well executed to be the excitable yippie little stray. He had a happy grin and scrappy fur and was constantly in motion.
This a wonderful children's book. I adored it!

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

George the basset hound has it made, as far as dogs go. His owners adore him, calling him "Some Dog," and the charming illustrations show just how happy George is, and how much he is loved. He's not a very active dog, but his life is full. Then a stray dog happens along. This little fellow is so full of energy that his owners name him Zippety. Zippety seems to do everything right, making George a bit jealous. Then there is a thunderstorm, which calm George takes in stride, but which freaks Zippety out completely. Soon Zippity is on the run, and lost. And soon George is out in the miserable weather looking for someone he doesn't particularly care for. A sweet story of friendship with entertaining illustrations.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Show Me Winner!
Good read aloud for families; interesting turn, the story features an older couple as the humans, not a child as is usual;
the story revolves around the quiet life of the basset hound George...until a stray christened Zippity, takes over his perfect life. However, when Zippity messes up and runs away, its up to George's superior nose to find and rescue him.
George really is SOME DOG!

Cute story, simple read, good sound incorporation book

[Cemeread · Rating 3 out of 5]

George is a basset hound with a good life until a yippity zippity stray shows up and joins his family. Zippity does tricks and gets all the attention until the day George smells a storm coming. Zippity gets so wild trying to get away from thunder he is put outside and races off to become lost. George's true talents are used to save the pup and the two get along fine after. The pages about the storm and finding the lost pup are in grey and blue tones.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old dog feels overlooked when another dog shows up that is younger and more energetic than him. Eventually, the old dog has the chance to have his home back when the new dog runs away during a thunderstorm after wrecking the house. Then, in true selfless fashion, he agrees to use his amazing sense of smell to recover the lost new dog in true heroic fashion. I mean, what's not love about this one. I was really pleased with this, as were my wife and son. Nicely done.

[Elizabeth Prows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some Dog! by Mary Casanova is an entertaining and sweet book about two dogs named George and Zippity. The two dogs have very different personalities, and George helps show Zippity how to be brave, as well as fit into his new family. The illustrations are adorable as well.

[Celeste]

went through the unfortunately few picture books i own the other day and reread this. it was very cute!!! :) i've had it my whole life i remember loving it a lot when i was a kid. according to my mom's old blog there was a short time i tried to make people call me zippity and i'm sure that's because of zippity in this book

[Stefanie Foard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basset hound for the win! :)

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

George the hound has a good life, but then a stray energetic pup shows up and puts George and his family in a frenzy. During a rain storm George proves he's still a some dog!

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the storyline and its depth

[Kelsie Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was adorable. It was a really cute book about two dogs who didn't originally like each other and in the end became best friends. The illustrations were also really good!

[Haley Kilgour · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute book! And it think it shows that even if a “sibling” is annoying, we can learn to get along.

[Katie Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

George was a dog that had everything. He had a good life. His owners read the newspaper with him and also took him fishing. George was considered "Some dog!" One day thought, George and his owners were greeted by an unexpected visitor, a stray dog. This lively dog, like a jackrabbit, leaped, zipped, and flew all around the house. Needless to say, it had way more energy than George. Soon, Zippity, the new dog in the house, started to take over George's role. Zippity started to fetch the paper and help out cutting wood. The dog stated receiving compliments from the local townspeople as well. When they all went fishing, George stayed in the middle of the boat because he could not swim, while Zippity jumped from lap to lap, caught fish and swam like an athlete all around the boat. He was staring to become "Some dog." Poor George though started to become sad as Zippity began to take over the household. One day though, a lighting and thunder storm scared Zippity and this cause the dog to cause ruckus in the house. The owner was so furious at Zippity that she threw the dog outside! Moments later, Zippity was gone. The owners were worried and scared, but George was happy. He now has his own bed back and all the attention he use to have. However, the owners approached George in sadness and requested that George go out in the storm to find Zippity. Using the sent of Zippity's blanket, George was able to use his incredible sent to locate Zippity. When George finally found Zippity, Zippity was stuck in mud and was helpless. George rescued Zippity all by himself and the owners were so incredibly happy! All four of them lived happy as George and Zippity got along just fine.

With water color illustrations, this book was a good read. I think that any child who loves animals can connect to this book. George is a hero!

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about a dog named George. He wakes up one morning to a new dog in his house. He hates this little dog because he is taking all the attention away from George. One day there is a thunder storm and the new little dog loses it and begins breaking things, so the mother kicks him out of the house, but the little scared dog is so terrified that he runs away in a frightened panic. The mother and the father wake George up and beg him to use his special sniffing skills to go find their missing friend. George gets up and looks outside until he finds the little dog scared in the middle of a sink hole! He rescues the pup and the return home. The little dog is so thankful, and so are their masters that George has the best life again, and he doesn't even mind sharing his bed with the new pup.
This is an adorable story about sharing your life with others. George is not happy with his new friend, but after time, he begins to let the new pup grow on him, until he really loves him to. This would be a great story to read to a child who was once and only child and is now a brother or a sister to a new baby. It think this showcases that is it okay to be upset that someone is stealing your shine, but you must move on, because you may really love them.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stig also LOVES DOGS. This is a cute story. George the basset hound has a good life. Then along comes a little excitable yippy dog who is the opposite of George and causes all kinds of trouble. Yet, George is jealous of the attention the yippy dog gets from the people. Then yippy gets in trouble and is sent out into the storm, but then gets lost. The people send George out to find yippy and he is some dog and does find yippy and ever after that they are best buddies and share their life and people happily. Best part of this is seeing the pics of a smiling George dog and when he howls at the lighting. Stig was inspired to howl along.

[Denise Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

My opinion of the book is that i like it.The genere is realistic fiction.The book is about a dog that lives with a family and one day they got a dog and he was little.They love him alot but the other dog was alone then one night the little dog was scared of the storms and he was crazy and the women said 'OUT OF THE HOUSE' the dog was crying so the women was to because the dog ran away the other dog help finding him.My shema is that i ones had a dog like jelous of the other one.My question is how come the big dog didn't like the little one.I recommend the book to Jacqueline because she likes dogs.

[Britley Madsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Some Dog!" by Mary Casanova is about a dog named George who enjoys his life with his owners until a stray dog joins their family. George does not like the stray dog because he gets the most attention from his owners. The stray dog makes a mess of the house and is kicked out. The owners tell George to go find the stray dog because they feel bad for him. George finds the stray dog and they return home. They all get along after that. When the characters are happy the colors are bright like red and yellow. But when something sad is going on then blue and gray are used. I would read this to a child to teach the importance of being kind and patient with others.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

George is a bassett hound who is very content with his life and is happy to be told over an dover by his owners that he is "Some dog!" When a stray whos up at his house an dis taken in by his owners, George is not so happy. The new dog is named Zippity because of his energy and suddenly George is not so content with his life. When Zippity goes missing in a storm, George is reluctant to search but since he is a hound who can smell anything, he follows Zippity's scent and ends up saving him. George feels like "some dog" again and is happy to share with Zippity after that.

[Jacqueline G · Rating 5 out of 5]

My opinion of the book is that i like it because its about two dogs.Its realitic ficcion because its made up of charectors but could happend in real life.It is about two dogs that at first they didt get toghether because the little dog name ZIPPITY was the best dog and GEOGY was the bad dog ,but ZIPPITY was lost and GEOGY found him and they got toghether.My squema is that i never had two dogs like that.My question is that how does ZIPPITY do backflips.I recommend the book to MRS.COLEMAN because she has dogs and she loves dogs like me.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some Dog! by Mary Casanova is a great book for younger children. The book talks about a dog named George who loves his family and leads a very comfortable life. That is until George's family finds a stray dog the name Zippity. Zippity takes over the families attention until he gets lost in a storm and George saves his life. I would recommend this book for people who are about to have another child to show children that although things can change that there is always a way to get along. Also, I would encourage it for younger kids when they are developing social groups.

[Jennie Park]

This is a great story to read to children and can be incorporated into many different themes. One main theme is friendship-- there is a bond that is created among the two dogs towards the end of the story even though George did not like the new dog in the beginning. It can also be compared to first borns' or older siblings getting a new sister or brother. They may feel a sense of jealousy at first, but in the end, there is a special relationship that blooms.

[Brandy Locchetta]

This book is great for sharing with children who are getting ready to welcome a new sibling or pet into their home. Despite George's jealousy of a new dog in the house, he helps his owners find the new addition when he becomes scared and runs away during a storm. This is a great opportunity to talk with children about being helpful, the classroom community and coping with changes that don't always make us feel good.

[Kwilliamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story and I loved the illustrations. George is an older dog, a bassett hound, who is very content with the life he shares with an older couple. A stray dog who they name Zippity. He disrupts George's peaceful life and becomes "some dog" to his owners. George dislikes Zippity and thinks he is a pest. Zippity runs away during a thunderstorm and George finds him and brings him home. Once again he is "some dog" and George realizes Zippity is not so bad after all.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

George is a basset hound with the good life, but that life is interrupted by the arrival of a hyperactive "boot-kick" stray named Zippity. George is unhappy now that Zippity is around, but one night a storm scares the little pooch away. George's two owners plead with him to find the little dog, and George ends up saving Zippity's life. After that, George and Zippity find they aren't so mismatched as they thought.

Nice illustrations.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

George is an old, content hound dog. Contend until a stray shows up and steals his show. Now the Zippity gets all the attention. One stormy evening, the owner has enough of Zippity's energy and kicks him out. He disappears. Fearing the worse, the owners plead with George to find Zippity. He follows his nose to the little pup caught in the quagmire. He helps him out and becomes the hero, regaining his former status of "head pup."

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing is simple, but very catchy. Kids like this book as it is filled with amusing action and the illustrations are an absolute hoot. They love to the new dog who is an absolute pest and how old George responds. My children met Mary Casanova during at school. We decided to buy this and a few other books from her!

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is about a stray dog that moves in George's peaceful home. And his life and his owners lives change forever. The illustrations are done in watercolor and color pencils. It's a good story about friendship.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

George is happy until a new dog comes along. Zippity gets a lot of attention, praise, and ruins his peaceful sleep. When Zippity is left outside, the owners want George to find him. The dogs learn to get along, accept difference, and be friends.