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.’
About the Author
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.
Publication Date
March 6, 2009