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Reading Rockets' children's literature expert, Maria Salvadore, brings you into her world as she explores the best ways to use kids' books both inside — and outside — of the classroom.
The first dog
Well, it's official. The First Family is getting a pet. According to a New York Times blog, the new resident will join the Obama family after spring break.
A new dog means there's a lot to think about.
One must make friends with a dog first, of course. Recommendations in rhyme for getting to know a new canine are presented in a book (due out next month) called, Don't Lick the Dog: Making Friends with Dogs by Wendy Wahman (Holt).
And of course, there may be training involved as the family in "The Trouble with Dogs…" Said Dad finds out. (The same family brought home not one, but 2 dogs in Let's Get a Pup, also by Bob Graham; both Candlewick.)
There's always the danger of Dogs on the Bed (Candlewick) as another family with two children find out when their six dogs want to jump into bed with the rest of the family.
And workers just might accidentally let the dog out unsupervised and create a scene like the Great Gracie Chase (Scholastic).
One can hope that the new First Dog will be just a regular kind of pooch like Henry Huggins' dog, Ribsy (without the flea problem, of course; HarperCollins) who has the wherewithal to get back home if lost.
Let's trust that the first family finds the perfect pet like the ever popular (and always eloquent) Nancy and her family did in Fancy Nancy and the Posh Pup (HarperCollins) — and are just as happy with their 'pound pup.'
Hi Maria, I have just found your blog and really enjoyed reading it. Maybe you could help me with a problem I have - I am a preschool teacher with a group of 4 and 5 year olds - boys - who are adamantly sexist - boys are stronger, better, can play where girls can't, have boy colors in the rainbow (compared with the girl colors...)and one of the ways that I am tackling this is through books. But it's hard to find books that break the stereotypes. I have found PrincessSmartypants and the Paperbag princess, but was hoping you might know of some others. I am in Australia, and not all the books you mention in your blog make it to our shores, but some do. It's become a bit of a quest for me as I thought it would be easy and it isn't!
Thanks
Louise
Thanks for the question, Louise! I've actually written a blog in response -- so keep reading.
Posted by: Maria | March 27, 2009 10:32 AMI have a 7 and a soon to be 10 year-old. We are researching different types of dogs too. Our friends and family who have dogs tell us every child should have a dog to love. The list of books you provided will be a great help for us, as we prepare for our new arrival.
Posted by: K. Boodoo | March 31, 2009 10:33 PM
Comments
As a family about to embark on getting our first dog, I appreciate you highlighting these fun books for us to read!
Posted by: Joanne | March 09, 2009 05:21 PM