Customer Reviews

A Day, A Dog

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I scarcely know whether to give this book one/zero star or five stars;I've gone with five on the basis of the strong reactions it provokes. I agree with the first reviewer that the Amazon review is overly optimistic with respect to the outcome of the story; I can't imagine buying this book for a child. Good Dog Carl, this is not. I could see using this book as a take-off point for young adult/adult discussions of responsibility, commitment, ambiguity, etc., or of the power of art to tell a story, or our ability to "fill in the blanks" when presented with only part of a story. It actually hurt to look through this volume a second and third time, but its effect on me is best summed up by saying that I decided to stay home with my dogs this evening rather than go to a baseball game. This is one book you won't forget.

So many reviewers have praised this book so eloquently, I don't know that I have much to add in that sense. But I would like to address some reviewers' concerns that this book is inappropriate for children because it is too sad or disturbing. In this story, a helpless animal is cruelly abandoned. Dogs are pack animals; there is no more miserable state for them than being alone. We SHOULD feel sad about this story, and children shouldn't be sheltered from some of the sad realities of life. If they read this story, and empathize with the dog, well then, they will think twice in the future about doing such an inhumane thing to their pets. Parents should not hesitate to give this book to their children; however, they should share the experience with the child, and be present to process any thoughts or feelings that the child has. With younger children, parents may discuss how animals are entitled to kindness and consideration, just like human beings. With older children, the subjects of responsibility, loneliness, and finding one's place in the world may come up. In any case, this book will cause children to think, and families to discuss important issues. And that is NEVER a bad thing.

I have three young boys and a large picture book collection. Every night we sit close and spend quality time reading and discussing stories. It was by chance, in a Children's Lit course, that I came across this book. What a rare find! A Day, a Dog tells the story of an abandoned dog and his... search for home. The story is completely wordless and "told" in charcoal sketches. What makes this such a great book is not the emotional impact it will have on you, but the following discussion that it demands. Responsibility, caring, friendship, commitment, and loyalty are just a few of the character traits that are easily discussed and follow naturally from the story. It is my belief that the story ultimately has a positive conclusion. See for yourself, you will not be disappointed. Furthermore, I believe that one day this book will go out of print and you will be fortunate to own such a treasure. Buy it, "read" it, and discuss it. Enjoy...

Edit 12/25/2011 (Merry Christmas eleven years later): Well, our little boys are now 16, 14, and 11. And would you believe, we adopted a young sweetie from Ukraine and she has been home a little over a year. Today I was going through my books and I was surprised at how this book again spoke to me, this time in the context of adoption. As predicted, the book is no longer in print and finding a new copy will cost you over $100.00. This is an amazing book. Today I share my thoughts as an adoptive parent and believe it will make for good "reading" with our daughter to help put some things in context.

My favorite book of all time. Stirs something different in me every time I look at it depending on my current situation. That is the magic of the book. It can be about a day a dog. Or it can be about finding a place you belong. Or it can be about betrayal. Or loneliness. It can be about finding someone or something you need just when you need it most. I bought twelve of them, kept one, and gave the rest as presents to the people who are special in my life.

The strikingly elegant drawings grabbed me first. They show a dog reduced to his elemental dogginess, accurate, with not an extra line. If one cares about animals, the story line makes one cringe; the first drawing shows the dog being tossed out a car window. We travel with this dog through his abandonment, to the end, where the possibility of hope shows in the form of a small boy.

Because this book is so spare and powerful, it is not one to simply hand over to a beginning reader. For a parent or teacher willing to take the time for the conversation it deserves, it could be a valuable tool for discussing humane treatment of animals, and our responsibility to the pets we take into our lives.

A Day, a Dog packs an emotional wallop that will have you thinking about it long after you close it. The powerful drawings prove that you do not need a written word to make a statement. Maybe because I do love animals and especially dogs that the story of a stray cruelly tossed out of a car and fending for itself really moved me or the other thought-provoking feelings I got from it of loneliness, searching and finding a place in life that is safe. I absolutely adore this book and will cherish it for years to come.

This book amazes me each time I open it. I have given it as a gift to several artist friends, and they are in full agreement--this is a work of art. Gabrielle Vincent captures the emotion of a troubled & confused dog with seemingly very little effort. As someone who works in dog rescue, I appreciate this all too common story portrayed in such an eloquent manner.

If you like this work, you will surely like the animated film "Still Life with Animated Dogs & A Room Nearby" by Paul Fierlinger. If no longer available on amazon, [...]. I also recommend Pinduli by Janell Cannon for more excellent dog renderings. Pinduli (ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Awards) I recently illustrated my first book, which happens to be about dog rescue, and I found these three works incredibly inspiring to my storytelling. I Like Dogs

This book deserves 25 stars and a broader audience than I imagine it reaches. Though I have no doubt it is loved by anyone who has ventured to open it.

I have used this book with 10-11 yr olds. At first read it seems simplistic and the art is raw. But the book has depths and opportunities for discussion including understandings of consequence, loss, finding someone etc. Students from every reading level can 'read' this book and express themselves from the emotive drawings. It helps bring picture books to an older age group in a meaningful way. Very cool!

Wordless picture book- story of a dog who is abandoned at the beginning of the book. Many events and emotional illustrations. Great for teaching students to add voice and details to stories.

A Day, a dog is an award-winning book. It's not exactly the book you would READ. It is a book with no words. But just by looking at the beautiful pictures you will understand it. I thought it was a wonderful book, and I think you should read it too! For ages 3-8.