The Dog Child [Hardcover]

Simon Black (Author), Honorio Robledo (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2006 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Have you ever met people who think their dog is sooo wonderful? They talk about little Princess or Fido ALL the time. You wonder if they secretly think their dog is...a kid! Well, if you think they’re weird, you haven’t met Mr. and Mrs. McVitie. The McVities love their dog Judy so much, they long ago forgot that she’s not human. They let her sleep between them in the bed, they sew little outfits for her, they take her photo at every opportunity. One day, they dress her up and send her to kindergarten. The McVities even have a birthday party for Judy and invite all the kids and their parents. Are the McVities out of their minds? the parents wonder. Do these people think this dog is a kid? At the party, they soon find out exactly what the McVities think—and it’s even worse than they imagined: the McVities want Judy to blow out the candles! Judy saves the day with a birthday wish that changes their lives forever, and finally helps the McVities face reality. (Well, sort of).

Simon Black teaches in the English department at Cal State LA. He is currently a writer on the animated show Chico and Guapo, which debuts in October on MTV2 and features two Latino characters trying to make it in the music business. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, two kids and dog named Judy.

Mexican artist Honorio Robledo illustrated El Cucuy, Nico Visits the Moon, and Super Cilantro Girl.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2–During the five years that the McVities have owned Judy, they've lost sight of the fact that she is a canine. They feed her human food, dress her in clothes, and send her to kindergarten. This leads to difficulties–the pup wants to please her parents, but she feels best when she is being treated like a dog by others in the community. At her sixth birthday party, adults try to tell the couple the truth about their child, whose secret wish for them is fulfilled nine months later. The cartoonish illustrations have lots of vibrant color. Judy's feelings show on her face–her big, contented grin is one of the best parts of the book. However, whether children would find Judy's plight humorous or would understand why her parents are so obsessed with making her a child is unclear.–Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ
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About the Author

Simon Black teaches in the English Department at Cal State LA. He is a writer on the animated show Chico and Guapo, which debuts in October on MTV2. He has published two novels--Me and Kev, and The Book of Frank--the latter was made into a short movie starring John C. Reilly. He lives in LA with his wife, two kids and dog named Judy. Artist and musician Honorio Robledo has done two books with Cinco Puntos: El Cucuy and Nico Visits the Moon, and a book with Children's Book Press. He and his wife Luana recently moved to Mexico so their children could grow up barefoot.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Cinco Puntos Press; First. edition (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0938317423
• ISBN-13: 978-0938317425
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,660,299 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dog meets world, September 25, 2006

By 

G. Besson "parental unit" (Shelby, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dog Child (Hardcover)

With an insightful and delightful tale Simon Black creates of the world that we imagine for our dogs. In a timeless narrative he brings the altruistic nature of our housepets into the distorted shadow cast by parents who want to raise a child. I read the book over the weekend and it was one of those children's stories that the kids ask for over and over. It reminds me of Mike Mulligan and the Steamshovel in the tone. I am continuously impressed by the creativity and gentle humor of the author and wholeheartedly recommned this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A welcome addition, October 7, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dog Child (Hardcover)

Written by Simon Black and illustrated by Honorio Robledo, The Dog Child is a very special picturebook that will prove to be of particular interest to young readers with canine companions of their own. Judy is a dog whose family dresses her up in clothes, takes her to school, even gives her a birthday party. When Judy blows out the candles on her birthday cake she makes just one wish - that the McVittie family will soon have a human baby so that Judy can go back to being the family dog and enjoying the usual doggie benefits. This highly entertaining picturebook story for young readers is a welcome addition to the library picturebook shelves