Doggone Dogs! 
by Karen Beaumont
​pictures by David Catrow
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​If you have a dog, know a dog, or live near a dog, you and your child are sure to love this book. The text simply roles off the tongue and is certain to make you smile as you read. Children love the rhyme and rhythm and are soon chanting along with you. What the kids will like most is the fact that it has the word "poop" carefully inserted within the rhyme scheme of the text...and yes, it's appropriate when used in this context. Add to this the fact that the book also does a great job of teaching verbs (action words) and counting and you can see why it’s such a doggone great choice! Trust me, this is a giggle as you read treasure.

How To

​Read the  book to your child two to three times (if not more) over the course of a week. It's okay to read the book multiple times a day... we actually encourage it! Try to keep the days as close to one another as possible to ensure the most successful outcome.

It’s not just about reading the selected book numerous times. You should try to follow-up each reading with one of the activities provided on this page and/or the additional resources files.

​It’s just that simple!
  • A Great Story
  • Multiple Readings
  • Follow-Up Activities​
In short, by becoming comfortable with a book and its concepts, your child becomes comfortable with reading and learning. There’s a confidence that comes with familiarity and that’s what we all want in the end… a confident learner.

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Checking for Understanding

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Ask these questions as you read or after each reading. Some of the questions are open-ended which can lead to valuable discussions. Take the time to listen and respect your child’s point of view.

  1. At what time of day does this story begin?   How do you know?
  2. What do the dogs do when the sun comes up?
  3. What is obedience school? Do you think the dogs in the story have been to this type of school? Why or Why not?
  4. Tell me two things that happened when the dogs were at the park.
  5. What happened to the trash can?
  6. Why did the whole park smell?
  7. How does it sound when dogs whine?   How does it sound when children whine?
  8. Can you remember any of the dogs’ names?
  9. Turn to the second to the last page of the story. Why do you think the dogs and the owner look so tired?
  10.   Do any of the dogs in the story remind you of dogs you know?

Additional Resources

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​Additional Resources Bundle  $4.00
This bundle includes flashcards, a shared writing activity, a story elements  learning page and ideas for extending the learning beyond your home. It's just a quick download and you're ready to use it with your child.
​Click HERE to add this title's files to your cart.

Membership

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12 Month Membership - 2 titles per month - does not include book -  $81.60   
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​Art 

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Make a Doggone Dog (or two) 
Go to Twiggle Magazine and check out the easy instructions for making this cute dog. Here's my idea for customizing this craft...challenge your child to create a dog that looks like your family dog or create dogs that look like the dogs in the story! After that, maybe role play with the dogs as you read the story. 

Cooking Together

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"Puppy Chow"
This crazy little recipe tastes great, but looks just like dog food. At a puppy themed birthday party, we once served this out of tiny plastic dog food bowls (new & never used). The kids had a blast acting like puppies trying to eat the food from the bowls.
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12 c. Crispix cereal
2 c. chocolate chips
1 c. creamy peanut butter
1/2 c. butter
2 c. powdered sugar
Melt butter, peanut butter, and chocolate chips.
Pour over cereal in large bowl. Mix well until all cereal is evenly coated.
Put powdered sugar into a paper bag.
Pour cereal mixture into bag of powdered sugar.
Shake until well coated.
Place bag in freezer for an hour. Serve in either a large bowl or a clean dog dish.
"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." — Emilie Buchwald
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