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Fearless #1
Fearless
Annotation:
Sometimes people, and dogs, have the wrong sort of name. Certainly that seems the case with Fearless, a lumbering, somewhat silly but big-hearted bulldog.
Fearless looks ferocious but he is a big sook and is just trying to tell the startled burglar in the kitchen that no one is allowed to put feet on the table. The burglar interprets Fearless’ communication differently and so the loving dog becomes a hero.
Gentle humour and appealing highly finished illustrations of an adorable/ugly dog and his adoring family.
Themes in this book:
Animals-habits and behaviour. Animals-training. Appearance. Dogs. Fear. Names, personal.
Age 3-8
Source: Magpies
Sometimes people, and dogs, have the wrong sort of name. Certainly that seems the case with Fearless, a lumbering, somewhat silly but big-hearted bulldog.
Fearless looks ferocious but he is a big sook and is just trying to tell the startled burglar in the kitchen that no one is allowed to put feet on the table. The burglar interprets Fearless’ communication differently and so the loving dog becomes a hero.
Gentle humour and appealing highly finished illustrations of an adorable/ugly dog and his adoring family.
Themes in this book:
Animals-habits and behaviour. Animals-training. Appearance. Dogs. Fear. Names, personal.
Age 3-8
Source: Magpies
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
3 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Colin Thompson
126 books122 followersSince he started writing and illustrating children's books in 1990, Colin Thompson has had more than 50 books published. He has received several awards, including an Aurealis Award for the novel HOW TO LIVE FOREVER and the CBC Picture Book of the Year in 2006 for THE SHORT AND INCREDIBLY HAPPY LIFE OF RILEY. He has been shortlisted for many other awards, including the Astrid Lindgren Award - the most prestigious children's literature prize in the world.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Colin lives in Bellingen, Australia. His books with Random House Australia include HOW TO LIVE FOREVER, numerous picture books, THE FLOODS series, THE DRAGONS series, THE BIG LITTLE BOOK OF HAPPY SADNESS picture book, which has been shortlisted for the 2009 Children’s Book Council Award for Best Picture Book, and FREE TO A GOOD HOME.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Colin lives in Bellingen, Australia. His books with Random House Australia include HOW TO LIVE FOREVER, numerous picture books, THE FLOODS series, THE DRAGONS series, THE BIG LITTLE BOOK OF HAPPY SADNESS picture book, which has been shortlisted for the 2009 Children’s Book Council Award for Best Picture Book, and FREE TO A GOOD HOME.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 9, 2010
This is a lovely book, but the dichotomy between the text and illustrations is quite marked. The illustrations are beautiful, don't get me wrong, and they add a definite 'cute' factor to the book as a whole. What's not to love about a dog that can smile as widely as Fearless?!
The trouble, for me, comes with the age category that this book was given by the CBCA judges. Listed in Early Childhood, I read this out loud to what I would consider to be the perfect age - kinder kids aged 3 and 4. There were very few laughs from the kids - the humour in the text went right over their heads, and the illustrations were not enough of a scaffold for the students to join in with the humour. On the other hand, the teachers laughed themselves silly. They got all the jokes, both textual and visual.
I do like this book a lot, and I can see why it wouldn't have sat well in Younger Readers either. Having been a judge, I have to say that I don't envy the judges that job. Choosing the age category can be fraught with difficulty, and sometimes, texts just don't quite fit anywhere.
The trouble, for me, comes with the age category that this book was given by the CBCA judges. Listed in Early Childhood, I read this out loud to what I would consider to be the perfect age - kinder kids aged 3 and 4. There were very few laughs from the kids - the humour in the text went right over their heads, and the illustrations were not enough of a scaffold for the students to join in with the humour. On the other hand, the teachers laughed themselves silly. They got all the jokes, both textual and visual.
I do like this book a lot, and I can see why it wouldn't have sat well in Younger Readers either. Having been a judge, I have to say that I don't envy the judges that job. Choosing the age category can be fraught with difficulty, and sometimes, texts just don't quite fit anywhere.
August 31, 2021
Funny book 👍
March 6, 2013
A fabulously funny story of a dog and his interpretation of the world. I especially love twist on the bone at the end, I laughed throughout this lovely book.
May 6, 2017
This book drives me nuts! The writing is appalling! The Claybourne-Willmets, seriously?! It's not even funny, it's just ridiculous. I have read this book to my kids about a thousand times and I hate it as much now as I did the first time I read it. I especially hate the opening lines about how we can't predict what a baby will grow up to become because it makes no sense as it starts talking about a name not being suited to someone. It's just awful, clunky writing and general weirdness. Why on earth do we need to hear about the dog licking out the vet's contact lens? Why do they give the dog cheese? It's just weird. I really wish my kids had never been given this book. They like it, probably because of the illustrations. I will never like it.
November 11, 2018
Re-read
I recently re-read this to the smallest member of the household. Their review: "It's alright. It's funny that he's afraid of a spider, and sat on a fly."
As the parent reading it, it was amusing enough. In particular, I like that Fearless's friendly intentions are misinterpreted by the .
I recently re-read this to the smallest member of the household. Their review: "It's alright. It's funny that he's afraid of a spider, and sat on a fly."
As the parent reading it, it was amusing enough. In particular, I like that Fearless's friendly intentions are misinterpreted by the .
May 28, 2020
A great, funny book about a dog called Fearless, who isn't. Lots of funny and relateable situations throughout and then our hero saves the day. Loved the explanation of toilet training!
November 20, 2011
Not everybody has the right name. Some people may be born with the same Sally or Bob and grow up looking like a Linda or a Sam. This is the same for dogs. Fearless may look scary and his name may indicate that he is brave but that isn’t the case at all.
Fearless is the adorable story of a Bulldog who just wants to be friendly with everyone. He also has a habit of scaring to easily. It isn’t until last one night when the house is broken into, and there is a case of miscommunication, that Fearless is able to finally live up to his name.
This story was so sweet. I loved the family throughout who just seem to love this adorable dog for who he was. Their pride in his final acts of ‘bravery’ were also just so endearing. This story really brought a smile to my face and I have to admit I did laugh out loud a time or two.
The illustrations throughout the book are beautifully done. They accurately portray the life of a well loved dog, while sharing the warmth and happiness that surrounds a family. They tell a story on their very own, without the accompanying words.
This book, while aimed at 5 – 8 year olds, is a great read for any age. Its heart warming and tells the story of how anyone can be a brave hero, even if it is by accident. Its so beautifully written and illustrated and will warm any heart.
Fearless is the adorable story of a Bulldog who just wants to be friendly with everyone. He also has a habit of scaring to easily. It isn’t until last one night when the house is broken into, and there is a case of miscommunication, that Fearless is able to finally live up to his name.
This story was so sweet. I loved the family throughout who just seem to love this adorable dog for who he was. Their pride in his final acts of ‘bravery’ were also just so endearing. This story really brought a smile to my face and I have to admit I did laugh out loud a time or two.
The illustrations throughout the book are beautifully done. They accurately portray the life of a well loved dog, while sharing the warmth and happiness that surrounds a family. They tell a story on their very own, without the accompanying words.
This book, while aimed at 5 – 8 year olds, is a great read for any age. Its heart warming and tells the story of how anyone can be a brave hero, even if it is by accident. Its so beautifully written and illustrated and will warm any heart.
April 1, 2014
Like many of Colin Thompson's books, this one is funny and clever. As a fan of sarcasm, this book really appeals to me. Every time I read it to the kids (which is 4 times and counting so far this week), they giggle and engage well with the story. This is one of his shorter stories so a good quick read.
March 19, 2012
Love it a dogs point of view. Preps and up.
August 15, 2012
What a wonderful book.
Definitely one I will use over and over as a teaching resource, layers upon layers of meaning.
Definitely one I will use over and over as a teaching resource, layers upon layers of meaning.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews