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Pick a Pup
Today is the day that Sam picks a pup! But how will he ever decide which one? He and his gram take a trip to the city animal shelter, greeting their neighbors' dogs as they go. There are sleepy pups, hyper pups, glamorous pups--and some that are a mix of everything!
This energetic book, with its fun rhyming text and adorable illustrations, is sure to thrill the young dog lover. Anyone who's ever adopted a furry friend will already know the true trick to picking a pup . . . the pup picks YOU!
This energetic book, with its fun rhyming text and adorable illustrations, is sure to thrill the young dog lover. Anyone who's ever adopted a furry friend will already know the true trick to picking a pup . . . the pup picks YOU!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 22, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 3, 2020
A good one to choose if you're planning to get a dog!
April 24, 2017
Not quite my book. Great for the dog and puppy lovers. A fun choice if a child is about to get a dog themselves. Cute pictures. I liked that there was rhyming, though it didn't always flow for me. I liked seeing the different types of dogs, too, as I've seen quite a few like them. A preschool storytime could work, but it would be best for one who likes dogs (like my co-worker!).
4/24/17 Grabbed this for movement storytime. Didn't remember anything about it, but the kids liked it. Huge crowd, so they may have fed off each other. But I had them joining in the different actions of dogs. And they liked seeing the dog pick Sam.
4/24/17 Grabbed this for movement storytime. Didn't remember anything about it, but the kids liked it. Huge crowd, so they may have fed off each other. But I had them joining in the different actions of dogs. And they liked seeing the dog pick Sam.
July 2, 2011
This is a wonderful little book that gently promotes shelter adoption, all the while illustrating the many great dogs who are available in shelters. In the end, the little boy and his Gran don't pick a pup as much as the pup picks them!
This is a wonderful read-aloud story for shelter outreach to kindergartens and preschools.
This is a wonderful read-aloud story for shelter outreach to kindergartens and preschools.
June 3, 2018
The use of the animal shelter where to pick a pup makes this book a five. The rhyming and content plus the size of physical size of the book is exhausting for my kiddo. But we loved the variations of perspective in the illustrations. Having the grandma as a guardian in this book was a great lesson to expand his understanding of family. Cute book.
September 25, 2019
A little boy's grandma is taking him to the shelter to choose a dog, but he doesn't know which type of dog he wants. He considers all the types of dogs that his neighbors have, and in the end the perfect dog ends up choosing HIM instead.
February 6, 2023
A fun story that would be perfect if you were planning on getting a dog. I liked the way they described various types of dogs as the boy is deciding what dog to get. Might work with movements for toddlers and preschool aged kids.
June 28, 2018
Aww, cute. A boy goes to pick a dog from the shelter, but worries how he’ll know it’s the right one. Some of the rhymes are a bit forced, but I don’t think kids will notice. Good read aloud book.
November 25, 2018
Cute message about dogs picking their owners and different types and adopting from shelters but a lot of the sentences just didn't flow.
September 15, 2023
A boy is going to the animal shelter, but is worried he won't know how to pick out the right dog. A rhyming book, but mostly pup rhymes with pup and dog rhymes with dog.
August 22, 2017
So, obvious warning to families, don't hand this to your kid unless you're about to go get a dog! And don't give this as a gift to someone's kid unless you know the dog thing is happening. That could be a huge let-down for the little ones.
But this would be a great choice for a preschool or kindergarten class to talk about their pets. Not only to highlight the differences in pets, but to tell the story of how they became part of the family. Adopted? Child of an earlier pet? Just showed up one day and decided to stay?
Going back to the family thing, it's also a great intro for a discussion about a pet's needs and an owner's responsibilities. So many dogs with different temperaments are described, making it easy for children to understand that each dog is different.
Overall, the rhyming verse is fine, with a good rhythm. The art is consistent, and pleasantly bright. While this book won't be a great pick for every family, I think this is a must to at least borrow iff you're going to surprise your child with a new family friend.
But this would be a great choice for a preschool or kindergarten class to talk about their pets. Not only to highlight the differences in pets, but to tell the story of how they became part of the family. Adopted? Child of an earlier pet? Just showed up one day and decided to stay?
Going back to the family thing, it's also a great intro for a discussion about a pet's needs and an owner's responsibilities. So many dogs with different temperaments are described, making it easy for children to understand that each dog is different.
Overall, the rhyming verse is fine, with a good rhythm. The art is consistent, and pleasantly bright. While this book won't be a great pick for every family, I think this is a must to at least borrow iff you're going to surprise your child with a new family friend.
February 14, 2013
Pick a Pup is a well-written phonemic awareness book that uses a very solid rhyming pattern as well as manipulation of words, both of which can truly help young children with phonics. The story is about a young boy named Sam who is getting ready to pick out his very own puppy, yet on the way to the animal shelter he starts to realize he might not know how to pick the right one, especially after having seen everyone else with their unique dogs. In the end, Sam realizes that picking out the right puppy is a lot easier than he thought!
I would recommend this to early elementary students, Kindergarten and 1st grade especially, as there are some very good phonics elements in this book. The book also doesn't stick with a constant rhyming pattern throughout, switching it up in the middle to show a new element of phonemic awareness, so this book is definitely valuable as a teaching tool.
I would recommend this to early elementary students, Kindergarten and 1st grade especially, as there are some very good phonics elements in this book. The book also doesn't stick with a constant rhyming pattern throughout, switching it up in the middle to show a new element of phonemic awareness, so this book is definitely valuable as a teaching tool.
June 14, 2011
Today's the day that Sam will get to pick out a new pup for his very own. On the way to the shelter, he and his grandmother pay attention to the different dogs others have. Each dog has something special, described in playful fashion--one is a "never-lopey-mopey pup" while another one is an "always-wakes-you-up pup." But once Sam arrives at the shelter, he realizes that he may not be the one who does the choosing. I like how the author reminds readers that different types of dogs suit different lifestyles and celebrates the bond between humans and animals although that walk to the shelter must have been awfully long. The watercolor and digital illustrations capture each dog's unique personality as well as Sam's excitement over adding a new member to his family.
August 10, 2016
Sam worries about picking a new pup from the shelter. He sees many different kinds of dogs on the way to shelter. When they finally reach the shelter, a pup jumps out at Sam and picks him. Chall includes a rhyming description of each kind of pup, which helps to promote phonological awareness. Children will enjoy the cute pictures of all the puppies and will be relieved to find that Sam finally makes the perfect choice.
Read
August 20, 2011A "list" picture book that actually manages to have a narrative arc and satisfying resolution! Great bouncy rhymes about each of the different kinds of dogs. The wordless page where the little yellow lab leaps up from the pack = priceless for its textual and emotional timing.
November 23, 2011
Darling story and illustrations. A boy get to choose a puppy and doesn't know how he will ever be able to make a decision. Along the way to the kennel he thinks about all the dogs he knows. done in rhyme, this heartwarming story is great for all ages.
January 5, 2012
Sam is going with his grandmother to pick out a puppy at the shelter and his biggest concern is how will he know which pup to pick? The wonderful rhyme is adorable and in the end, just like it happens in real life, the pup picks you!
August 6, 2013
My daughter, age 9, approves of this book because she is a firm believer in letting an animal choose you, as her newest cat has done. The 2 year old I read this to loved it and wanted it over and over.
June 7, 2016
A sweet rhythmic tale of a little boy wondering how he's going to choose his new pup from the shelter. Gram assures him he'll just know which one is the right one and to his delight, the right pup chooses him.
June 16, 2016
Cute idea but words might be understood by the audience this book is meant to reach. Preschool - 1.
February 20, 2011
A little boy wonders how he will be able to pick a new pup for a pet. He learns that picking a pup may not all be up to him.
Want to Read
March 1, 2011My college roommate illustrated this book. I must read it!
March 1, 2011
Cute illustrations highlight this book that embraces the importance of getting your pup from the pound.
March 1, 2011
Dog storytime. :)
March 3, 2011
Those pups let us believe that we pick them, but it really doesn't happen that way. Don't believe me? Read it for yourself ;-))
March 23, 2011
Nice repetition and rhyme. Describes different dog personalities as a boy goes to pick out his dog.
May 16, 2011
Sam gets to go to the pound to choose his new pup, but isn't sure how he can ever decide among all the great pets.
July 15, 2011
Fun hyphenated rhymes! Love the ending -- so true!!
July 23, 2011
Sam is on his way to the animal shelter to pick out a puppy. How will he choose? Does he want a jumpy, bouncy, licky pup? Or a sleepy, nappy, doesn't do much dog?
August 27, 2011
GOOD PICTURES, GOOD RHYME
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews