Desert Dog

By Tony Johnston

Book Overview

I'm a desert dog, a desert dog. / I work from sun to sun. / I'm a skinny dog, as tough as wire. / I own myself alone. In a voice as old and earthy as desert rock, a gruff, hard-working canine tells his tale of a day spent herding goats. From the moment Dawn Boy walks along the hills until the moon rises in a night as black as Raven's wing, he watches over the herd with his boy companion. No cute, storybook pup, this is a flesh-and-blood dog who howls his story to the moon and can show a lizard who is boss.

Tony Johnston's lyrical text and Robert Weatherford's powerful paintings bring dog and boy and desert vividly to life.

Tony Johnston is the author of more than one hundred books for young readers, including Desert Song, illustrated by Ed Young. Tony's body of work has received high praise from reviewers and many prestigious awards. She makes her home in San Marino, California.

Robert Weatherford is a fine-art painter whose work is exhibited widely throughout the West. A longtime resident of Telluride, Colorado, he currently makes his home in the Hollywood Hills. Desert Dog is his first book for young readers.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1578051339
• ISBN13: 9781578051335
• Release Date: March 2008
• Publisher: Sierra Club Books for Children
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.7" x 10.8"
• Age Range: 4 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 2

Customer Reviews

Confidence

The key reason to read this book to your child is because, this story inspires self awareness. It is presented through the eyes of an intelligent, and aware desert dog. This book inspires the idea of identity...and that is why I recommend it.

BEAUTIFUL Book

Desert Dog is an absolutely beautiful book. The words are poetry; the illustrations are rich, complex paintings. It makes a great gift for kids or adults who love the outdoors. Desert Dog is my 8 year old nephew's new favorite book!

Desert Fun

Very entertaining and descriptive. A great read, time and time again. I wish my dog was this cool! I will definitely buy this book for my kids.

Powerful

Dogs are great teachers. They know that life is simple: we should all love and be loved. Calling Robert Weatherford an "illustrator" really cheats both the artist and this beautiful book. Weatherford's paintings are vibrantly compelling. The artwork breathes life into a lovely story and gives "Desert Dogs" an eye-thrilling depth and dimension. Highly recommended for readers of all ages.

Beautiful!

Desert Dog is a great new release from Sierra Club books. Tony Johnston, author of more than 100 children's books, beautifully captures a dog who "sleeps with one eye open"--a best friend and vigilant guard. Robert Weatherford's paintings are intense and luscious--bringing the Indian boy, his dog, and the desert to vivid life.