Customer Reviews

A Small Brown Dog with a Wet Pink Nose

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

 

 

I purchased this book for my granddaughters (ages 6 & 8) for Christmas. They loved the book - they said the story was such a great one and the illustrations were the best. My 15 year old granddaughter also loved the book - she said "This is such a great book!!" It was read many, many times over the Christmas holiday and know it will continue to be a favorite. Once you read the book you'll want your own Small Brown Dog with a Wet Pink Nose!!! Thanks Stephanie for an awesome book!!!

I just read "A Small Brown Dog with a Wet Pink Nose" to two classes as part of our school's promotion of book fair week. The first graders loved the book and were very amused by the attractive and funny artwork and the repetition in the parent's replies to Amelia's questions. But the second graders were immediately struck by the dishonesty in Amelia's approach. The first comment I heard when I finished the story was, "But that's lying!" Unfortunately, as a book fair volunteer with only a few minutes with each class, I wasn't in a position to start a discussion on the issues raised. I had only time enough to agree and point out that Amelia's parents could have still said no without breaking their promise, because the dog at the shelter wasn't invisible like the Bones that they had "lost."

This second grader was correct, no question. If the story leaves any doubts, the end-paper of the hard-bound copy removes them, since it makes it quite clear that Amelia's plan to trick her parents into getting a dog was calculatingly premeditated and not just a serendipitous discovery.

I still enjoyed the story and the moral issues wouldn't stop me from reading it to a child. The artwork is a delight and the story is fun to read aloud. But I recommend only doing so when you're in a position to have a real conversation about Amelia's actions, and I would not read this to a child already struggling with honesty issues. I won't be buying this one at our book fair and I don't recommend it as a present, since I suspect many parents may have more qualms about it than I do.

Our families beloved Labrador past away about a year ago. My daughter is an animal lover, so when I saw this book at the library I just picked it up. Come to find out, as I'm reading it to her before bed...the story line is basically a "how-to" instruction book on tricking your parents into getting a dog. My husband thinks it's a conspiracy....(we've been hinting at getting another dog as of late and my husband has seriously said a line straight out of the story) The book honestly wasn't an intentional pick.

This book is a fun, witty work of fiction. My 5yr old thought is was hilarious once she put all the peices together. Although it's about tricking your parents, I still went ahead and purchased it. I think it will be a fun read for mother/daughter time.

Recommended!

Note to all children: When you really, really want something badly, simply make an imaginary version of it, and take care of it, maybe your folks will think it's so adorably cute that you just may get it for real! That's what Amelia did in this charming tale that is filled with busy illustrations (even some real doggie photos) and a simple plot, that will make just about anybody laugh and say "Awwww, what a cute idea."