Weezer Changes the World

by David McPhail

Weezer is an ordinary puppy.

He barks.

He slobbers.

He tinkles on the carpet.

But then something happens that changes him - and the world may never be the same.

Simple yet profound, funny yet serious, this touching story will remind even the skeptics among us that the most remarkable changes often come from the least remarkable places.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Childrens, Animals, Storytime, Family, Humor

40 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2009

About the author

David was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts and attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. While there, he began illustrating. He is now an award-winning author and illustrator of nearly 200 books beloved by children, parents and librarians across the United States. McPhail has garnered many prestigious awards, including a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year for Mole Music in 2001. McPhail’s other books include First Flight, which the New York Times praised as “hilarious and helpful”; and Lost!, which was chosen as an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists.

McPhail has four children, three stepchildren, and is a proud grandfather. He is married to Jan Waldron, with whom he has written and illustrated several books. He lives in Rye, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 - This is a story about Weezer who was a perfectly normal doggie until he happened to be struck by lightening. After this little fiasco Weezer became adept at any number of un-doggie-like things. Counting, predicting weather patterns, finding peace on Earth among them.
Eventually poor Weezer, who may be the unluckiest dog in the world, gets struck by lightening again. His boy finds him lying in a puddle in the road and carries him home. Sidenote - I'd have liked this part to be a little different. Seeing the illustration of the dog in that way really leaves a not nice image in your head and a young toddler really doesn't need that in my opinion.
Anyway, Weezer is taken home and inundated with mail from around the world wishing him well. Weezer finally gets better when the people of the world promise to stop fighting, to get/keep the Earth clean, etc,.
In ending, Weezer is a plain doggie again but the people of the world are changed forever.
There is a cute story here and it's easy for young children to pick up on. I think the delivery could have been better. I don't have any qualms with the illustrations but there is nothing exceptional. All in all it's an okay book to take out of the library but I wouldn't recommend paying $15.99 for it.

New rating - 3 Update: 11/10/11 - I knew we'd read this! Julia said we didn't but I recognized the dogs name. I second-guessed myself though and thought maybe there were multiple books with the same character and that we'd read another one. Ironically I liked this better the second time around. Maybe because Julia's a little older so the message means a little more? I guess it says something though that Julia didn't remember it at all and I only barely.

[Nielson · Rating 3 out of 5]

One person (or dog) can make a difference in the world--that is the message we learn from Weezer. He begins as just an ordinary dog who does ordinary, gross dog things, but when something striking (i.e. a lightning strike) hits him, he suddenly is not the same dog he once was. He becomes interested in math, science, politics, and the environment. He starts doing things no ordinary dog would like discovering weather patterns and finding cures to diseases....until he is struck again and becomes the once again ordinary dog. Although the text seems a little awkward on the political/environment side, I think that readers will take something good from it. Plus the illustrations are great!

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

So wanted to like this book. The message children take away is...get hit by lightning and you can have superpowers. Really!! Please write children's books for children!

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an EveryDog Weezer turns out to be!

My takeaway from this remarkable story is not the start, nor the ending, but what a big difference to humanity Weezer was able to make.

When we have Life Reviews after "death" it is precisely those contributions that matter most. Seems to me.

Despite so much variety that we can get lost in it, the place where all of us live is Earth School: A world designed for spiritual growth... if we choose that. And the good that we do matter, not the tinkle accidents on the carpet, etc.

[Cassie Veselovsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book; perhaps I read it at the wrong time (after school in a public library). I love the message - it only takes one "person" to change he world - but the book simply did not move me. I will share it! I will recommend it! I will even read it again! And who knows, perhaps it will change me to rewrite my review!

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 1 out of 5]

Give me a fucking break. I was hoping this would be a book about a dog, not a stupid metaphor for something that has never happened, and never could happen. No one person can change the world in the significant ways Weezer did.

And getting struck by lightning will not make you a genius, kids.

[Chuck Beilstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dog version of FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON?!??

[Jess Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book definitely started in one direction and ended somewhere completely different from what I expected. Weezer starts out a normal dog, interested in chewing bones and having fun. After he gets struck by a bolt of lightning, he finds himself changed--and smarter! He starts to take an interest in interior decorating and weather. As he got older, he got wiser and started finding cures for diseases and ways to get world leaders to sit down and work for peace. Then one day, something changed and he got sick and didn't recover until the world found a way to carry on what he'd started and work together toward peace. When he finally got well, he was his old dog self again, but the world was never the same. I'm a bit confused by this seemingly strange message of peace: are we supposed to think that if a dog can do it, kids/we can too? I'm just not sure. The illustrations are adorable, and the pace is nice. Not sure what context to use this in, though. Best for early elementary, probably, just because littler ones might not get it.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weezer was an ordinary dog until one day when he got struck by lightning. Then he became an extraordinary dog who can conduct orchestras, perform surgery and bring together world leaders to achieve peace on earth. But the most amazing things happen when Weezer is struck by lightning again, and this time he doesn't recover as quickly.
I dare you to read it without a tissue.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book; perhaps I read it at the wrong time (after school in a public library). I love the message - it only takes one "person" to change he world - but the book simply did not move me. I will share it! I will recommend it! I will even read it again! And who knows, perhaps it will change me to rewrite my review!

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slight story, but sweet. Weezer is hit by lightning and becomes super-intelligent. He shows people how to solve the world's problems. He's hit by lightning again and becomes a typical dog, but the world is forever made better by him. The picture of him showing his boy's class how gravity works just gets me, though, and the idea that one dog, one person, can change the world, is hopeful.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book for classes because the main idea from this book is easy-there are ways for us as humans to change the world. A comprehension strategy I would use is, having the students discuss ways that we as a class can change the world? Or this book can lead to lesson on Earth Day and protecting our Earth!

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weezer the dog is struck by lightning. He becomes very socially aware and active, setting the example for the people in his life. When he becomes incapacitated, the people rally to carry on his work. McPahil's illustrations are charming, as usual. The story is a bit didactic, but still a touching little read.

[Blanco Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weezer is a perfectly normal puppy, who chews toys, barks at clocks, "and every once in a while-not on purpose, of course - he tinkled on the rug."
I did like Weezer better as a normal dog.
But he goes on to change the world.
Which is completely realistic. Because once you love an animal, you are changed forever. :)

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heavy-handed, for sure, but I love this sweet story about how one dog can change the world. The water color illustrations are cute and the text skips along nicely. I actually wish the book was physically larger to use in storytime.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the font, the dog, and the short sentences about a dog getting struck by lightening only to teach the world a lesson or two on peace-making and friendship until he was struck by lightening again and goes back to being a regular dog.

Fun.

[Phoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief but telling story for dog lovers about Weezer, a normal lovable dog who is struck by lightning and turns into a genius, using his new powers to cure disease and lobby for world peace. McPhail's trademark soft art with its lively lines make the story very endearing.

[Anna Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way that Weezer takes on human (and very altruistic) characteristics after being struck by lightening reminds me of Martha Speaks. While some young children might fear for Weezer's fate after the second lightening strick, the happy ending makes that part okay.

[Lori Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book may be a tear jerker for you sensitive/emotional folks. It is a great book to use to motivate students to want to make a difference. It shows that ordinary people can do extraordinary things and "change the world".

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dog gets struck by lightening and all of a sudden he is a math wizard, promotes world peace etc. Then he is struck by lightning again and goes back to a shoe chewing loveable dog...but his contribution changed the world... Just one dog (or person) can change the world!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly discussion worthy picture book.

[Alexa Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh that dog Weezer is cute! Even if the message here is a bit heavy-handed.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute, but a little heavy on the message. Weezer is adorable so he gets an extra star.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cutest book ever about a little dog who gets hit by lightning, making him super smart.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

New story from David McPhail. Weezer is struck by lightning twice. Cute story about saving the world by a dog's actions.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great reminder that one person/dog can make a huge difference. Also inspires readers to make changes that will better the world.

[Mariah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked the picture of Weezer as a scientist, but didn't really enjoy the story.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and sweet story about a dog who changes the world! And, then, the dog changes....

Could be used in an animal storytime.

[pati · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a difference one dog can make - one of the best dog books in a long, long time!

[Tayler K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a great message and can inspire kids to be altruistic activists!