Give the Dog a Bone [Hardcover]

Steven Kellogg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2000 | Age Level: 4 and up

But then what happens? Why, it's one wild, slapstick adventure involving cobblers, cats, chickens, and much, much more. From poodles to Great Danes, an increasing number of clever canine companions join in the fun--and add up to a most entertaining counting book. Kellogg's witty reinvention of the classic counting song "This Old Man" makes numbers fun for the whole family.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Kellogg's (Yankee Doodle) busy and buoyant artArendered in colored ink, colored pencil, acrylic and watercolorAtypifies his appealing style and kid-targeted humor. As his rhyming verse takes playful liberty with the traditional counting song of the title, full-page and panel illustrations introduce several old men, a handful of amiable kids and a canine cast that spans a variety of breeds. Kellogg depicts a colorful spectrum of scenarios: one old man, dressed in a cat costume, placates hounds with bones after they chase him into a tree; another thumbs his nose at the umpire who calls him out at home plate; a third steals six newly hatched chicks and, compounding his boorish behavior, refuses to hand out any bones. Supplementing the nonsense lyrics are lighthearted comments, presented in balloons, from both human and animal characters. As the tale winds down, the man who purloined the chicks returns to witness another hatchingAthis time eggs crack open to reveal ravenous raptors who announce, "Now we'll tell you what to do: Give us bones or we'll eat YOU!" Verse and visuals will send readers rolling back to page one to replay this romp repeatedly. Ages 3-7. (Sept.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Part counting book, part comic strip, and part geriatric adventure, this zany version of "This Old Man" is not for everyone. The first verse will sound familiar, but not much that follows. In the third verse, for example, an old man dons a cat costume, climbs a tree to avoid being caught by three Rhodesian Ridgebacks (Nick-nack-nick-Up the tree!"), makes friends with the dogs by offering them bones, and then goes "purring home." For five, an African-American man wearing sunglasses and sandals plays "nick-nack on the hive" and is chased away by angry bees, as five basset hounds look on. The mood changes with number six, when a nasty gentleman, wearing a sky-blue top hat and suit, demands that a hen hatch her six chicks, takes the birds away in a box, and refuses to share the bones stuffed in his pocket with six cairn terriers. Though he receives his comeuppance in the 10th verse when he is attacked by 10 vicious velociraptors, he survives and ends up making friends with all of the dogs, guaranteeing a happy ending. The artwork, done in colored ink, watercolor, acrylic, and colored pencil, is presented in a series of panels that keep the action moving quickly. There are plenty of details for careful observers, different characters that appear throughout, and lots of things to count (250 dogs). An unusual, imaginative flight of fancy that will appeal most to die-hard Kellogg fans.
Joy Fleishhacker, formerly at School Library Journal
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: SeaStar; 1ST edition (August 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587170019
• ISBN-13: 978-1587170010
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,078,855 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

With the same energy, humor and clarity found in his 50 books, David wows audiences at schools around the United States and beyond. David is an accomplished storyteller and a master at getting kids to think and have fun at the same time. His presentations lead children on entertaining and educational journeys that combine math, science, reading and writing. David also gives keynote presentations and workshops for educators at professional conferences.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh, funny text and hilariously appropriate illustrations, March 11, 2001

By 

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

This review is from: Give the Dog a Bone (Hardcover)

Based on a traditional counting song, Steven Kellogg's fresh, funny text and hilariously appropriate illustrations engage young readers preschool through second grade on a rollicking good time as the popular nursery rhyme escalates into a slapstick adventure involving cobblers, cats, chickens, sled dogs, even velociraptors. The ever-increasing number of clever companions adds up to a unique counting book that ends with the last old man surrounded by a lovable crowd of canine friends. Give The Dog A Bone is an original take on a childhood classic and highly recommended for family, school, and public library children's books collections.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Old rhyme, new slant., October 13, 2010

By 

Linda Stidham - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Give the Dog a Bone (Hardcover)

Enjoy Steven Kellogg's illustrations to this old song. Good to use in a classroom of early learners.