Can I Be Good? [Paperback]

Livingston Taylor (Author), Ted Rand (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up

For a fun-loving young golden retriever, each day dawns full of potential adventures. But from morning till evening this lovable beast finds that his energy and curiosity always seem to lead him into mischief. “Obviously written and illustrated by astute golden retriever observers, this picture book is thoroughly irresistible.”-Booklist

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Children will see themselves in the gleeful activities of a golden retriever who finds that "it's awfully hard to be good." Throughout the day, obedience is uppermost in his mind, but there is always something to lure him from the straight and narrow: the yard beckons in the dawn light, mud puddles are too much fun to resist, the school bus is filled with friends to visit. At every turn goodness eludes him and, while he is never really a bad dog (except for chewing dad's new shoes), he is certainly a bundle of trouble. Only when fatigue descends does he achieve his goal: "And I'm all bedded down / On my favorite rug. / Finally it's time to be good." Songwriter Taylor's rhyming prose snaps along merrily, upbeat in tempo yet tinged with wry melancholy that reflects the naughty dog's exasperation. Dreamy watercolors in soft shades capture the suburban setting while drawing attention to the canine flurry of movement constantly at the center. Rand endows his lovable protagonist with facial expressions that tug at the heartstrings and, from the smiles of family and neighbors, it is obvious that this not-quite-good-as-gold-en retriever's exuberance is not held against him. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-A rhyming story about a fully grown, high-spirited golden retriever who has trouble behaving. Anyone who has ever raised an overgrown puppy will recognize this canine at once. He howls to go out at 5:45 A.M., comes in wet and shakes water all over his family, and rattles his food dish loudly on the floor when he's hungry. Throughout the simple text is the repeated refrain that this unruly pet asks himself, "Can I be good now?" The answer is obviously "No," until he settles on his favorite rug to be petted and hugged at day's end. "Finally it's time to be good." The rhyme rolls along in a likable, unforced way for the most part. There is no real narrative tension here. What makes the book work are Rand's illustrations rendered in watercolor, chalk, and pencil. In his brisk, assured style, he has caught this fractious dog's every mood-playfulness, boredom, shame, and remorse-and also depicts him on the move. There are hundreds of dog stories, and this one is not as involving as Lisa Campbell Ernst's Ginger Jumps (Bradbury, 1989) or as funny as Susan Meddaugh's Martha Speaks (Houghton, 1992). Still, you might make room for this endearing, exuberant pup that is unlikely to be a shelf-sitter.
Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Greenwich, CT
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (August 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152015523
• ISBN-13: 978-0152015527
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 9.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #827,748 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful pictures and poetic text make this a favorite with, September 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Can I Be Good? (Paperback)

The story is about a golden retriever who tries to be good, but can't help getting into mischief along the way...what child can't relate to that!? This book sparked so many ideas and conversationsin my preschool class, the children were excited about it for weeks. The illustrations by Ted rand are wonderful.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A grand picture book for kids & parents of all ages., June 25, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Can I Be Good? (Hardcover)

What a charming book! A young golden retriever tries his best to be a good dog, but it's just so HARD! Kids will relate, and will also be entertained by the simple but catchy text and wonderful illustrations. Parents will relate to the difficulties in raising a dog (or kids, for that matter). Fans of Livingston Taylor (the singer) will recognize his sweet, wonderful way with words. Makes a great gift for new dog owners, too. Read it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It makes You Smile, October 4, 2001

By 

wynn t. coggin (Marblehead, Massachusetts United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Can I Be Good? (School & Library Binding)

Can I Be Good? This is a delightful book for adults to read to children. It would make a wonderful gift to any adult who ownes a golden retriever. The illustrations are so soft and gentle in appearance that you want to pat the pages, or go out and buy a golden puppy.