Customer Reviews

I Got Two Dogs: (Book and CD)

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"I Got Two Dogs" is the latest children's book by John Lithgow, a Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor, as well as a singer-songwriter-performer. His other children's books include Marsupial Sue, I'm a Manatee, Micawber and others.

This latest from Lithgow is a fun read as the book comes with a CD that is basically a sing-along accompaniment to the text. The story itself is based on Lithgow's own two dogs and is one that will appeal to all children, especially the target group of babies-preschool-aged kids. It's about two dogs, Fanny and Blue - one's all white, the other is gray, one's a girl and the other is a boy...their antics are portrayed so well in the illustrations by Robert Neubecker and each illustration will have you and your little one laughing out loud at the dog's antics. There is humor throughout and when you play the CD as you read and sing-along to the text, the rhythm will have you tapping your feet and even clapping your hands.

I have a 3.5 year-old daughter and though we don't own any dogs, she found the book very entertaining, and especially loved singing along to the CD whilst perusing the pictures. This is an ideal book for teaching early literacy skills to young children, especially babies, toddlers and preschoolers - the text provides a wonderful read-aloud and singing opportunity, and the rich, full-color illustrations will have little ones in stitches whilst encouraging active discussions on what the pictures convey. Highly recommended!

Oh my goodness! This has to be the cutest book and song I have ever read and listened to! As an owner of two dogs who are more like family members than pets, I can relate to the antics of John Lithgow's two dogs as well as the love he has for them. His accompanying song is so cute and bouncy! I think any toddler would love to flip through this book and listen to the song over and over again, and for the parents, the song is cute without being obnoxious.

I'm so pleased with this book, I now know what I'll be buying for all my nieces for Christmas this year, and I'll definitely be looking into other children's books by John Lithgow for future Christmases and birthdays! Who knew such a funny guy could write such great books for kids? My nieces and I have definitely been missing out!

This hardcover book and accompanying CD for infants through First Graders will surely entertain the little ones, and find parents singing along with the lilting interpretative reading by famed actor John Lithgow. Fanny and Blue are two great dogs, well loved, even if not well behaved, or very smart. However, as the lively rhythm of the words is read or listened to, youngsters will delight in the story and the rhythm of it all. While Blue is "kind of gray" and Fanny is "all white", their loyalty and mischievousness is very evident in the story. Fanny and Blue like to chase the cat and make a mess of their owner's things but find great comfort in cuddling up at night right ON TOP of their master! But one big loving lick makes their master forgive and love Fanny and Blue even more. The pet owner's devotion to the two animals is one that will teach little ones about what is important about having a pet while also entertaining them. The repetitions of the sounds in the refrain are something that little children will delight in.

Author John Lithgow based the story on his own two dogs and his story is energetic while delightful, rhythmic while comical. Lithgow's audio is a brilliant, enthusiastic interpretation of the story and is accompanied by a supporting chorus and instruments like the flute that combine to add to the catchy rhythmic tune. The delightful illustrations by Robert Neubecker look hand painted but I believe are digitally rendered and depict the story with broad and colorful strokes. The illustrations will capture every child with the pulsating colors and make this a great read-along book for children. Whether read to, with, or listened to, this is a fantastic book/CD for every child's collection!

Submitted by Karen Haney for VINE to Curled Up with a Good Book for Kids, October, 2008

Me: I review children's books for several review journals & have for ten years. I was on the Newbery committee a few years back & I'm a librarian. I've also liked all of Mr. Lithgow's picture books...but I think this is my favorite.

I'm a cat person, but I have nothing against puppies...I've had a couple in the past, but I sure would love to have two dogs like Fanny and Blue! They're loving and enthusiastic--well, just plain ol' good dogs. The accompanying CD is a big plus (as always with Lithgow's books). To hear him "read" the book is perfect modeling for storytime. So whether you're a "professional" or a parent or just a doggie-fan, this is a winner.

They (the publishers) usually find a good match illustrator-wise & this is a perfect pairing Neubecker's thick-line bouncey illustrations just dance along with the rhythmic text. Buy two, one for yourself and one for your library :-)

I saw John Lithgow on the "view" talking about his latest book and I loved the title and immediately thought of my grandson, Coltrane, who is three years old and has two dogs, one large and one small, and loves "bookies" so I purchased this for him for a Christmas gift. HE LOVES IT!!! tHE cd IS A COMPLIMENT TO THE BOOK BUT THE BOOK IS OUTSTANDING WITH ITS FABULOUS DRAWINGS. i HADN'T REALIZED JOHN LITHGOW WROTE CHILDREN'S BOOKS BUT AM GOING TO ORDER MORE!! IT'S COLE'S FAVORITE STORY AND A POSITIVE MUST IN EVERY CHILDREN'S LIBRARY.

"I Got Two Dogs" by John Lithgow would be great for any pre-schooler, or K or 1st grader. The illustrations are very colorful, and well done. The words are repetitive, easy for this age group, and are easy to read (large bold letters). The hard-cover version has a nice dust jacket, but if that gets lost, the cover of the book is printed with the same as the jacket and both are nice and shiny. This book is well made, looks great. The CD is a good length for someone of this age. It's the same words as in the book, with cute music, song by Lithgow. A child can follow-long in the book with the CD.

This book comes with a CD and the song will stick in your mind! It is so
cute and my grandson loves it!

I'm familiar with John Lithgow's works for children and was eager to enjoy this book with my children. My son and I read the book without listening to the accompanying CD and hit upon the idea of making up our own melody. Then we heard the CD to see who came closer to the actual one. (Mine was a little closer, though my son thought we both missed it.)

I would sure like to see this song and the others that accompany Lithgow's books on one disc someday. Perhaps that is the later plan, since I cannot believe such a lavish, richly orchestrated production is only going to be heard piecemeal. Perhaps there is already a disc of this material -- I'll keep looking.

At any rate, the book is fun with or without the disc and I like the message of unconditional love.

A delightful book. My grandson loved the book and the accompanying CD. I must confess that while I am an adult I too enjoyed the book and CD . A great combo for a youngster and a wonderful way to spend time with a child. It's a winner

This book for kids up to about 6 is the spirited testament to the author's two mutts, Fanny and Blue, mischievous family pets who are well loved. The pictures are lively and funny, the words are cheerful, and the accompanying CD contains Lithgow singing the text in a boisterous tenor. Quite fun for younger kids.