Dominic: A Picture Book

By William Steig

Book Overview

Another classic story from William Steig, the Caldecott and Newbery Medal-winning creator of Shrek , Dominic follows a kind-hearted dog who sets off on an adventure, encountering friends and foes along the way.

Dear Friends,
I am leaving in rather a hurry to see more of the world, so I have no time to say goodbye to you individually. I embrace you all and sniff you with love. I don't know when I'll be back. But back I will be.
Dominic

It's time for a change, so Dominic packs his collection of hats and his piccolo and heads out, letting the world take him where it may. When Dominic encounters members of the Doomsday Gang, he easily foils their attempt to rob him. Legend of his victory quickly spreads, and each new friend Dominic meets tells him a story of their own less-fortunate meeting with the villains, and asks for help from the heroic dog. But can one lone dog bring down an entire band of hooligans?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312371446
• ISBN13: 9780312371449
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Square Fish
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.2" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

An amazing kids book

The story reads like an old tale of a knight errant. Dominic wanders through the world with an eye for beauty. He meets friends and foes, gives help freely to those who need it, and is generously rewarded. William Steig is a master of language and a lover of words, and it only serves to enrich the book and the experience of reading it.

One of the Greatest Children's Books Ever

Dominic is one of the greatest works by one of the two greatest children's authors (I consider Lloyd Alexander the other). Dominic is a great character and it is marvelous to read of his picaresque adventures. The novel also has a lot of depth in it.The novel follows Dominic who is a dog. He begins to feel restless one day and sets out on the road for adventure. Dominic constantly uses his many talents and wits during the trip. In his adventures Dominic finds treasure, a little love, the horrid Doomesday Gang, and, eventually, himself.William Steig always conveys a clear message in his novels. He writes about how to love life and everything about life. He writes great pathetic falacies (descriptions of nature). He writes of love for fellow beings. Steig also addresses important facets of life. My favorite part of Dominic is when Dominic has to deal with the death of a friend. Steig writes: "He (Dominic) had to cry. Life was suddenly too sad. And yet it was beautiful. The beauty was dimmed when the sadness welled up. And the beauty would be there again when the sadness went. So the beauty and the sadness belonged together somehow, though they were not the same at all."Steig's prose is always as marvelous and as meaningful. Few novelists of any genre have had the success that Steig has in Dominic. All children and many adults should read this book. (Also, read Steig's Abel's Island and The Real Thief.)

Deeply delightful, delightfully deep

William Steig's tale (or tail) of an adventurous, great-hearted dog exploring the world with zest and delight is NOT just for children -- although children lucky enough to read it will carry it with them into adulthood, as shown by previous reviews. I first read it in my late 30's, and I knew at once that it had as much depth, wisdom, and beauty as any adult book -- more than most, in fact. You'll come away from it filled with its joy for life. Very highly recommended!

A very special book

"Dominic" was my favorite book as a child. It is amagical, yet solemn story that meditates on more complicated issuesthan most "adult" books ever do. Death, life, joy, sorrow, tough choices, loss, wonder and love are all encountered by the wonderful Dominic on his journey. I always finish "Dominic" feeling slightly sad, but very renewed. The one metaphor that comes to mind when I think of this book is "leaving home". When you leave home for the first time, you feel a sense of sadness and loss, but you also feel excited and curious about the new things you will see. Dominic's journey is a microcosm of this experience. The story is written tenderly, yet it sheds most trappings of sentimentality. Dominic moves on and on through his world, and he accepts that the only way to be happy is to loosen attachments to the past, even as you learn from them, and move with confidence into the future.

A story that's stayed with me for 25 years

I was given this book by my brother almost 25 years ago, and I still consider it the best children's book I've ever read. In fact, I still pull it out from time to time and read it when I need a lift. I love the fact that Steig respects children enough to use sophisticated language and themes. This book has always made me feel smart and brave--just like Dominic himself! He is a wonderful hero and role model for boys and girls alike. It's a joy to read that so many others have also been touched by its magic. And the illustrations (by Steig) are incredibly evocative--they really draw one into Dominic's adventures AND his emotions. It doens't get any better than Dominic for bright, curious kids.

The best book that a child or an adult could ever read...

I read this when I was eight years old. I am now 22 and I still think that Dominic is one of the best books that anyone could ever read. It got me excited about reading and I haven't stopped since. This simple tale of a dog leaving home for adventures throughout the world has opened the world up for me. It taught me that there is more to life than what I see around me and that even walking to the end of the block can be an adventure. Dominic the character is a hero to me, and the book (which I still find myself reading from time to time) is still one of my favorites.