by Michelle Hand for TWU Course Literature for Children and Young Adults
Lowrey,Janette Sebring. 1942. THE POKY LITTLE PUPPY. Ill. by Gustaf Tenggren. New York, NY: Random House. ISBN 9780307021342
This is a picture book about five little puppies that don't mind their mother and dig holes under the fence to explore the wide, wide world. One of the puppies does not stay with the others and wanders off because his nose, ears and sight lead him to yummy desserts back home. He stays behind when the four other puppies go home but they don't get
dessert because they have been bad. Poky sneaks in after bedtime and eats the
dessert. After the third time, the four puppies get wise and cover the hole so
Poky can't come through and eat dessert.
Critical Analysis
Lowrey uses personification with the five puppies and mother in this Golden Book. They speak, read, and eat like humans. They have an understanding of right and wrong and defy their mother. They discover new animals in their adventures and trust the puppy, Poky, a little too much. They realize at the end of the book, they catch on to Poky's shenanigans and turn the tables on him.
The Poky Little Puppy has a lot of lessons for young readers. They learn words through repetition. They learn counting and simple math by counting the puppies. They learn names of other animals and they learn the value of being honest and having loyalty.
The illustrations are top notch and beautifully drawn. The page turns are timed right with similarity to paragraph breaks. The text flows seamlessly due to repetitive words combined with the illustrations.
Even though this book is older, I believe it is a classic for a reason and that being teaching young readers valuable lessons in basic skills and morals.
Review Excerpt(s)
"This classic story of naughty puppies and their backyard adventures--complete with
fuzzy caterpillars, musical flowers, crickets and frogs and all topped off with
dessert--is sure to be a favorite yet again. (iPad storybook app. 2-6)"- Kirkus Reviews
"No doubt many parents have used The Poky Little Puppy to teach the consequences
of dallying or ignoring boundaries. But the book works as a straight adventure
story. Gustave Tenggren’s gentle pictures soften the blow of the loss of the
shortcake. And the puppy radiates such sweetness that no one could think him
intentionally wayward – which is just what many children want their parents to
think when they miss the school bus." - Janice Harayda of One-Minute Book Reviews
Connections
*Great book to teach about consequences and/or cause and effect*
*Great book to teach word recognition, counting and trust/loyalty*
Other books for children about puppies and consequences.
Rey,H.A. and Rey, Margret. CURIOUS GEORGE AND THE PUPPIES. ISBN: 9780618800650
Krebs, Cindy. MAXX'S SOCKS. ISBN: 9781462620593
This is a picture book about five little puppies that don't mind their mother and dig holes under the fence to explore the wide, wide world. One of the puppies does not stay with the others and wanders off because his nose, ears and sight lead him to yummy desserts back home. He stays behind when the four other puppies go home but they don't get
dessert because they have been bad. Poky sneaks in after bedtime and eats the
dessert. After the third time, the four puppies get wise and cover the hole so
Poky can't come through and eat dessert.
Critical Analysis
Lowrey uses personification with the five puppies and mother in this Golden Book. They speak, read, and eat like humans. They have an understanding of right and wrong and defy their mother. They discover new animals in their adventures and trust the puppy, Poky, a little too much. They realize at the end of the book, they catch on to Poky's shenanigans and turn the tables on him.
The Poky Little Puppy has a lot of lessons for young readers. They learn words through repetition. They learn counting and simple math by counting the puppies. They learn names of other animals and they learn the value of being honest and having loyalty.
The illustrations are top notch and beautifully drawn. The page turns are timed right with similarity to paragraph breaks. The text flows seamlessly due to repetitive words combined with the illustrations.
Even though this book is older, I believe it is a classic for a reason and that being teaching young readers valuable lessons in basic skills and morals.
Review Excerpt(s)
"This classic story of naughty puppies and their backyard adventures--complete with
fuzzy caterpillars, musical flowers, crickets and frogs and all topped off with
dessert--is sure to be a favorite yet again. (iPad storybook app. 2-6)"- Kirkus Reviews
"No doubt many parents have used The Poky Little Puppy to teach the consequences
of dallying or ignoring boundaries. But the book works as a straight adventure
story. Gustave Tenggren’s gentle pictures soften the blow of the loss of the
shortcake. And the puppy radiates such sweetness that no one could think him
intentionally wayward – which is just what many children want their parents to
think when they miss the school bus." - Janice Harayda of One-Minute Book Reviews
Connections
*Great book to teach about consequences and/or cause and effect*
*Great book to teach word recognition, counting and trust/loyalty*
Other books for children about puppies and consequences.
Rey,H.A. and Rey, Margret. CURIOUS GEORGE AND THE PUPPIES. ISBN: 9780618800650
Krebs, Cindy. MAXX'S SOCKS. ISBN: 9781462620593
RSS Feed