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Bulldog's Big Day
Award-winning author Kate McMullan tells the story of Bulldog, a lovable pup who is searching for a job, with the help of his friends.
Everyone is on their way to work in Bulldog's Big Day-everyone, that is, except Bulldog. As his friends help him find a job, Bulldog's good intentions clash with his hilarious clumsiness. He crashes a ladder through Giraffe's firehouse roof, discovers his fear of heights when he tries to wash windows with Spider, sends Moose's canvas flying when he sneezes, and tries Elephant's patience when he's caught reading the books he's supposed to shelve. In the end, Bulldog finds out that you have to love your job in order to be good at it, and he opens a bakery with his friends' support.
Everyone is on their way to work in Bulldog's Big Day-everyone, that is, except Bulldog. As his friends help him find a job, Bulldog's good intentions clash with his hilarious clumsiness. He crashes a ladder through Giraffe's firehouse roof, discovers his fear of heights when he tries to wash windows with Spider, sends Moose's canvas flying when he sneezes, and tries Elephant's patience when he's caught reading the books he's supposed to shelve. In the end, Bulldog finds out that you have to love your job in order to be good at it, and he opens a bakery with his friends' support.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Kate McMullan
218 books154 followersKate McMullan is an American children's book author.
She is the author of the Dragon Slayers' Academy series. She is married to author and illustrator James McMullan.
She also has books published under the name: Katy Hall.
She is the author of the Dragon Slayers' Academy series. She is married to author and illustrator James McMullan.
She also has books published under the name: Katy Hall.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 30, 2020
I'm glad Bulldog found his place in the world even if job hunting is probably not yet on the minds of the kids who will be reading this book. Still a good message about finding what you love and doing that. Includes a cookie recipe that we didn't try.
April 23, 2019
It was okay. My favorite part was the cookies!
September 24, 2019
Other than the (gross) recipe for cookies, this is a good story!
October 12, 2023
Cute story. Bulldog wants a job, wants to be a helper, but doesn't seem to be a good fit for anything. How can Bulldog find meaningful work? The story is adorable and heartwarming.
October 25, 2012
Summary: Bulldog wants to be a part of the daily “hustle-n-bustle” so he decides to go job searching. First he tries to be a firefighter like the giraffes, but he isn’t tall enough, so he gives the giraffe a cookie and moves on to the next job. He can’t wash windows like the spider because he’s afraid of heights, so he gives the spider and cookie and moves on. Sign painter and bookseller don’t work out for Bulldog either. He decides nothing is right for him and goes home to bed. In the morning the giraffe, spider, moose and elephant are all outside of Bulldog’s house waiting for cookies. That’s when Bulldog realizes what job is right for him, a baker!
Audience: K-2
Appeal: This book has great pictures and teaches a good lesson: there is something out there for everyone.
Implementation: I would use this book as an introduction to Career Week. After reading the book I would have the students draw pictures of themselves in their future career. I could also have parents come in and talk to the students about their jobs.
Citation: McMullan, K., & Lemaître, P. (2011). Bulldog's Big Day. New York: Orchard Books.
Audience: K-2
Appeal: This book has great pictures and teaches a good lesson: there is something out there for everyone.
Implementation: I would use this book as an introduction to Career Week. After reading the book I would have the students draw pictures of themselves in their future career. I could also have parents come in and talk to the students about their jobs.
Citation: McMullan, K., & Lemaître, P. (2011). Bulldog's Big Day. New York: Orchard Books.
August 11, 2011
Bulldog is on the hunt for the perfect job. Unsure of what he wants to do, he decides to try a variety of jobs, from firefighter, bookseller, to window washer, and more. Unfortunately for Bulldog, something goes wrong for him at each job. What I enjoyed about Bulldog was his determination to find the perfect job for him and in the end he finally discovers what he wants to do.
Bulldog's Big Day was a good read and while I enjoyed the layout, which reminds me of the Richard Scarry books I loved as a kid, it wasn't a huge hit with my kids. I think this is a book that fits better with 5-7 year olds vs 3-4 year olds. There's a lot going on that made it easy for my daughter to loose interest quickly. It is however a fun read for older kids as they get to see the different jobs that Bulldog tries and what those jobs entail. I'd recommend it for kindergarten ages kids and older.
Bulldog's Big Day was a good read and while I enjoyed the layout, which reminds me of the Richard Scarry books I loved as a kid, it wasn't a huge hit with my kids. I think this is a book that fits better with 5-7 year olds vs 3-4 year olds. There's a lot going on that made it easy for my daughter to loose interest quickly. It is however a fun read for older kids as they get to see the different jobs that Bulldog tries and what those jobs entail. I'd recommend it for kindergarten ages kids and older.
August 21, 2013
Bulldog wants, more than anything, to find his place in the world. Through several crazy and wacky jobs he discovers, while he may not be good at everything, he is really good at one thing.
I like to base my ratings on Genre. So, as I read this book with unanimous applause to my son's kindergarten class, I thought it deserved a 4 (4.5 would I could).
This is a great book for smallish children (3-6?) or beginner readers. There is also an easy recipe at the end of the book that you can cook with your kiddos.
I like to base my ratings on Genre. So, as I read this book with unanimous applause to my son's kindergarten class, I thought it deserved a 4 (4.5 would I could).
This is a great book for smallish children (3-6?) or beginner readers. There is also an easy recipe at the end of the book that you can cook with your kiddos.
February 27, 2011
While this wouldn't be ideal for storytime due to being heavy on the words and details in the illustrations, I thought this may make a great puppet show with only slight modifications. Bulldog searches for a new job and tries firefighting with giraffe; window washing with spider; sign painting with moose and bookselling with elephant--all without success. But along the way, his friends discover his true talents and help him discover the perfect job for him! My audience of 2 loved it!
November 16, 2014
At first I was sad that Bulldog could not find a job. I thought the other characters in the story were not nice. But in the end, he made cookies. After we read this book, Mama and I made cookies. I said she should pretend like I was Bulldog and this was our factory. We pretended to sell them to my stuffies.
Mama liked that Bulldog did not give up and that he kept trying to the end.
Mama liked that Bulldog did not give up and that he kept trying to the end.
May 15, 2011
Bulldog tries out a number of different jobs, looking for just the right one. The format is interesting--the text is broken up into two-page chapters. Keep this in mind for kids who are starting to outgrow picture books.
January 6, 2017
Bulldog unsuccessfully tries a bunch of different jobs. Silly and sweet--all of the potential bosses are very nice, even when he makes a mess of things. Bulldog eventually does realize that he has a talent all his own. A bit long for story time...
May 19, 2011
I will review this one on my blog...
December 14, 2014
Includes a cookie recipe at the back.
http://pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2014...
http://pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2014...
September 2, 2011
My 3 year old liked this. The pictures and story are interesting, with enough detail to stand up to rereadings.
January 30, 2012
Its a good book, but probably not one I would choose to read again. Its a cute story, but it seems to me that the story could of flowed better.
July 16, 2015
This book felt like a Richard Scarry want-to-be, but without the charm.
November 3, 2015
little long for storytime
January 21, 2016
Placement of text and pictures could be confusing to younger readers.
February 4, 2011
Too wordy for a storytime, but cute one one one.
July 12, 2011
Kind of Richard Scarryish, but less cutsey-wutsey.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews