Spunky's Diary

Janette Oke's Animal Friends #3

by Janette Oke

Janette Oke, in her relatively short writing career, has captured America's heart with her warm and inviting style of writing. She is the author of the deeply-moving best selling Love Comes Softly, Love's Enduring Promise, Once Upon a Summer , and the latest in the series, Love's Long Journey. With Spunky's Diary , she takes yet another step in a rich and rewarding career. In Spunky, she has captured the essence of a perky little pup, whose delightfully funny escapades and deeply poignant experiences will endear him to your heart. Learn with Spunky what "School," and "Farm" are, and chuckle with amusement when Spunky visits "Church," much to the embarrassment of his family. Children of all ages will delight in Spunky's Diary , and a charming and wholesome philosophy of life shines through for even the smallest of children.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Animals, Christian Fiction, Dogs, Juvenile, Chapter Books

100 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Janette Oke is a Canadian author known for her inspirational fiction, often set in a pioneer era and focused on female protagonists. Her debut novel, Love Comes Softly (1979), became the foundation for a successful series, followed by over 75 other novels. The first book in her Canadian West series, When Calls the Heart (1983), inspired the popular television series of the same name.
Born in Champion, Alberta, to farmers Fred and Amy (née Ruggles) Steeves during the Great Depression, Oke went on to graduate from Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta, where she met her future husband, Edward Oke, who later became the president of the college. The couple has four children, including a daughter who has collaborated with Janette on several books.
A committed Evangelical Christian, Oke has authored numerous works exploring themes of faith. She has received various accolades for her contributions to Christian fiction, including the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award.

Reviews

[R.A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

{2nd read}

I randomly picked this up tonight and read straight through it! :D

It's a good read and young, beginner readers would really enjoy it!

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter loved this one. It definitely felt like it was geared for a younger audience then some of her other ones. The puppy got in all kinds of mischief, good lessons were taught.

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Mom read these books aloud to my brothers and I when we were homeschooled. I'm now reading/passing them along to my own children.

[Rob Lund · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute little pet book. It was sweet how it showed life through the eyes of the little dog. With only a few chapters left, there was a sudden death of a human character that felt forced and disjointed. The resolve of this twist felt even more awkward.

But overall, it's a kindhearted book for most young readers.

[Zielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

*sob* I cried every time I read this book (which is a lot of times). I felt so much for Spunky. This was funny, sad, amazing, and a great book for younger ages 8+.

[Reeds]

I thought JO did a great job with this book. I even chuckled at Spunky's logic when things happened to him.
I like JO's language in this book. Some children's books have different language than just ordinary talking. Unusual language is a distraction.
I think books should be clearly marked as to what age-range they are meant for.

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable re-read in March 2015 ... cute story written by a dog ... well, from a dog's point of view. Very artfully done, full of fun and puppy love, and insightful into the thoughts a dog might have. A quick and easy, and enjoyable, reading experience.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good kid's book, I remember the Oke stuff from when I was younger.

[Myra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Loved these books as a teen and young adult until I read Mrs. Mike by Freemont. I realized this author merely copied another author's work as her own without giving them credit. Plagerism!!! It really made me take another look at this "Christian" author. It really tarnish my love for this author. As a future teacher, I loved this animal series but I could not purchase her books because that would be condoning her practice of stealing the work of others.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 5 stars means it will be read again. :) I read it to my children in one day and they loved it. Even laughing out loud at times!

[Hadassah Buie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my FAVORITE book in 1st and 2nd grade. I have reread this book at least 7 times. This sweet story is completely recommended by me.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spunky's Diary is the diary of a dog. Most of the novel is told from the puppy's perspective. Later entries in the diary reveal a dog that is becoming a bit wiser and less impulsive. The book contains his perspective on leaving his mom and his home behind as he's adopted by an eager family. The family has four kids, and there is much love in his life, and a lot of playing ahead of him. But Spunky's Diary is definitely an odd read in some ways. It's a children's book featuring the death of a young child (one of Spunky's owners). The book captures the uncertainty of those days (as she gets sick and weak) and the sadness of the family as seen through the family pet. I am not sure how popular sad-dying books are with the intended age group. I do know that I AVOIDED any books with any hints of sadness as a kid. It is, I suppose, an interesting twist in a dog book. A book with a dog on the cover, where, it's NOT the dog who dies but the human. But still.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a cute book written from the dogs point of view, but Ms Oke incorporated things that he shouldn't do that children shouldn't do either like stealing, forgetting about their pets, running away etc. For it to be a children's book it didn't have enough illustrations in it like most chapter books have illustrations at least every other page; where this one only had a very small pic and a few bigger pictures. This was a good book though, my special needs teenager.

[F · Rating 4 out of 5]

purchased for my grandson....14 small chapters ... book is marked ages six to ten. One of the better books of the Oke's Animal Friends series. Last part of the book Spunky decides to try to follow the school bus to school. Spunky becomes lost...how will he ever get home?

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to Isaac...took us a few weeks, but he loved it. Kept asking to read "Dodson's." After finishing a chapter, I'd ask him if he was done and he'd say "no, more." It may be written simply, but it is perfect for a two year old and I'd guess early readers as well.

[Partridge Public]

Oke, Janette PB

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think my mom read it to me when I was little.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love her children's books! They always teach a good lesson.

[Joy Olliver]

i loved this sotry when i was a kid

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe I never heard of these books when I was a kid. This was a great story.

[DeeAnn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to my children when they were young and we all enjoyed Spunky's Diary. Very creatively written by one of my favorite authors.

[Lauri · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite books when I was in 2nd/3rd/4th grade.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a childhood favorite of mine :) I've read it probably more than five times and enjoyed it a lot every time! It's super cute and fun.

[Rose]

JF Oke