The Great Smelly, Slobbery, Small-Tooth Dog: A Folktale from Great Britain

By Margaret Read MacDonald

Book Overview

A new spin on the classic story of "Beauty and the Beast." Never judge a dog by its fur.

When a great smelly, slobbery, small-tooth dog rescues a rich man from thieves, the man offers the dog any treasure in his house as a reward. But the dog is not interested in wealth; he wants companionship. So, he asks for the rich man's daughter as reward. With great sadness, the daughter honors her father's word and goes to live in the dog's extravagant palace.

A friendship blossoms between the dog and the girl, but she continues to long for her father, sometimes forgetting the importance of being kind.

In this tale from Great Britain, award winning author, Margaret Read MacDonald puts a new spin on the classic story, "Beauty and the Beast", reminding us all that appearances can be deceiving and that compassion can be powerful. This British folktale will teach readers the importance of caring, citizenship and fairness.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0874838088
• ISBN13: 9780874838084
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: August House Publishers
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.8" x 11.3"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

what a great gift

My children and all the neighborhood kids loved this book. I even ordered it for my childrens librarian for christmas! The illustrations are so great everyone could not wait to see the Beastie on the next page.

An imaginative retelling of a Beauty and the Beast British folk tale

"The Great Smelly, Slobbery, Small-Tooth Dog: A Folktale from Great Britain" is an imaginative retelling of a Beauty and the Beast British folk tale originally collected and retold in "A Dictionary of British Folk-Tales" by Katherine M. Briggs. Filled with brilliant tapestry-like full color illustrations, the children's tale moves swiftly to the sticking point. The familiar tale has fresh appeal in this version and the central message of the liberating nature of compassion overcoming the deception of appearances always enchants. Of particular interest in this book are the beautiful explanatory pictures of flowers and their meanings, on the inside pages and covers. Every beautiful illustration seems filled with luminous meaning "The Great Smelly, Slobbery, Small-Tooth Dog" is an artistic and literary triumph!

Awesome pictures

The story is very cute and clever. The artist did an amazing job of really bringing the story to life. The expressions on Billy Brown's face are wonderful. I hope to see more of this artist!

ideal story for kindergartners!

I had the chance to purchase this book by Margaret Read MacDonald--one of my fav authors--at the National Storytelling Festival, and my granddaughter just loves it. So do I, because it communicates traditional values in a subtle way. And because the illustrations are gorgeous. I'm buying more to give to new parents in my church.