How to Be a Good Dog

by Gail Page

Book Overview

Visit Gail's website Bobo really wants to be a good dog. It's just that being good takes so much effort. When his owner finally has enough and sends him packing, it's silent Cat who misses him the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1582346836
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.1" x 0.5" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

New York Times Book Review May 14, 2006

Who Let the Dogs In? Review by PATRICIA T. O'CONNER As we all know, bad boys are more charming than good ones. Naughtiness, like it or not (and we do), is alluring. Maybe that's why it's easier to forgive a bad boy's captivating faults than a good boy's perfections - assuming, of course, that the bad boy doesn't bite. Bobo, the great galumphing hound in Gail Page's "How to Be a Good Dog," is the canine Oscar Madison. He reads with his feet on the coffee table. He rummages in the refrigerator between meals, then eats messy snacks on the living-room furniture. He leaves muddy paw prints everywhere. He chews up homework, though it's not clear whose, since his owner, Mrs. Birdhead, is the only human on the premises. Never mind. This dog finds homework to chew up. When Mrs. Birdhead finally exiles Bobo to the doghouse, he's missed by an unlikely ally - lonely, good-hearted Cat, who plots to restore Bobo to their owner's good graces. Armed with a book on dog obedience, Cat teaches Bobo a few civilizing tricks (lying down comes naturally). The road to perfection is bumpy, and Bobo never quite arrives. But because he tries, he gets a "good dog" from his owner, and that's what counts in the end.

Works on many levels

My 2-year old daughter enjoys this book as much as the adults that read it to her, but on a very different level. She loves the idea that Bobo WANTS to be a good dog, but doesn't always succeed, and that his friends help him. She also loves the big KAPOW when he runs into Mrs. Birdhead. (Oh, and she enjoys trying to imitate Bobo sitting, particularly lotus position.) She has no idea why the adults think it's funny that Bobo's idea of "sit" involves a chair and sometimes the lotus position. She sees it as a finely nuanced psychological book about ethics (why is it OK for Cat to push Bobo when he's running down the stairs?) with good sound effects and a dog, which is everything she ever wanted out of a book.

Bobo's a hit

Our grandchildren,(Charlotte, 7, Lucy, 4, amd Peter, 2 1/2), giggled their way through this charming book. Gail Page's endearing illustrations depict Bobo as the favorite dog of everyone's childhood. And Cat, more helpful than most cats we've known personally, is a star as well. This is one of those special books that makes readers young and old smile in recognition.Our son, Alex,age 32, brought this book to our attention and we all loved it.

ADORABLE!

This book is a delight! I enjoy it as much as my daughter. The illustrations are hilarious - very colorful and entertaining. I highly recommend this book to anyone with young children and a sense of humor.

Everyone loves a Good Dog...

For a dog like Bobo being good isn't always the easiest thing to do. However with the help of his friend Cat, he learns some important lessons in proper manners, allowing him to show Mrs. Birdhead what 'a good dog' he really is. "How to Be a Good Dog" is great fun to read with kids and the vibrant colors and fun, whimsical drawings will keep their eyes glued to the pages. The story shows both the well-behaved and sometimes mischeivous nature of dogs, reminding the reader that while we can't all be 'good' all of the time, we should try our best. (This book was reviewed on NPR's Weekend Edition on Feb. 11th 2006 by Daniel Pinkwater and Scott Simon. Be sure to take a listen to the audio on the NPR site.)