Wet Dog! [Hardcover]

Elise Broach (Author), David Catrow (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

On a hot, hot day a good old dog just has to get some relief! Around the steamy country lanes he sniffs and searches until he finds: a chauffeur washing a shiny car, a baker scrubbing some sticky pans, and a florist spraying a pink bouquet. They’re all getting ready for a country wedding and this overheated pup just wants to plunge into the fun—and water!But will the wedding party in their fancy finery welcome this gotta-becool pooch? Zany characters, zingy lines, and high-spirited scenes practically bounce off the pages of this witty and affectionate story by debut author Elise Broach and New York Times Best Illustrated Books Award winner David Catrow.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-A lovable shaggy brown dog tries time and again to cool off on a hot day but is shooed away every time he finds the perfect refreshment. The rhythmic language carries readers along as the poor pooch dives under the hose of a man washing a limo, sneaks into a kitchen sink at a baker's shop, stands in front of a florist's spray bottle, and jumps into a creek where he splashes mud on some nearby men. After each dousing, "Wet dog smiled his sorry-dog smile and wagged his sorry-dog tail. Then he flapped his ears, and he sniffed the air, and he trotted off down the road...pat-a-pat, pat-a-pat, pat." Careful observers will notice that wedding preparations are being made, culminating in a lovely ceremony by the lake, where the pup inspires a group to plunge into the water. Exuberant pencil-and-watercolor illustrations practically bounce off the pages in this delightful read-aloud. Children will appreciate the silliness of the characters' reactions when wet dog shakes himself off near them. This new-on-the-scene author and veteran illustrator have scored a hit.-Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA
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Review

Exuberant pencil-and-watercolor illustrations practically bounce off the page in this delightful read-aloud...(School Library Journal) --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial (May 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803728093
• ISBN-13: 978-0803728097
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #197,425 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2 It's a Wonderful Dog, December 24, 2005

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wet Dog! (Hardcover)

Two dog owners wrote and illustrated this fun book about a muttish dog on a hot day, and their love for dogs is evident on every page. "Old Dog" is very hot, "with his long pink tongue hanging out," so he cruises the neighborhood looking for liquid refreshment. He manages to insert himself between a hose and a limo, and a watering can and flowers. He splashes mud on a 3-piece band, and even jumps into a sink full of dirty, sudsy dishes. These interruptions and the ensuing dog shake generate cries of "Wet dog!" (cries that author Elaine Broach says she hears at the lake near her home).

The story has a reader-friendly pattern of hot dog, hot dog sees water, and cool dog splashes people and makes them mad. (There is one repeated line that's somewhat confusing, after each episode, the dog "smiled his sorry-dog smile and wagged his sorry-dog tail.") Old Dog's shake is so powerful that streamlets of water burst off his long furry ears, nose, legs, tail, and body; he looks like a sponge squeezed fast and hard. Although artist David Catrow's bright, multi-colored pencil and watercolor pictures don't depict these initial victims getting wet, he shows their big, clownish-faces register comically exaggerated shock, dismay, and fright.

Broach and Catrow save the best for last. After Old Dog splashes into a lake hosting a wedding reception, his ultra-vigorous shaking wets all the guests. However, one guest, "a fine, fancy baby, in too-hot clothes" is delighted: "She laughed and laughed, clapping her hands at the wet-dog rain in the air." Like, the pool-under-the-dance-floor scene in "It's a Wonderful Life," the other guests embrace their inner dog, and dive fully clothed into the blue-green water. It's an immensely satisfying conclusion, and the drenched but refreshed, cheering guests hoist Old Dog above the water. Old Dog still has that pleasingly innocent look on his face; after all, he never wanted to cause trouble--he just wanted to cool off.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tail-wagging, ear-flapping delight, October 7, 2005

By 

A.V. Christie (Malvern, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wet Dog! (Hardcover)

This is the perfect book to read out loud--its fun use of rhythms and refrains makes the story lilt and tilt delightfully along. Broach's own delight in language is clear; David Catrow illustrates the sweet sorry-dog who is only trying to cool off with sincere, dog-knowing affection. The wet dog shaking off is a picture! Kids will likely quietly relate to this dog who, although often scolded, turns out to have a very good idea! I very much look forward to more children's books by Elise Broach.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Go Dog Go!, July 14, 2005

By 

Mary T (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wet Dog! (Hardcover)

For its backdrop, this charming picture book presents scenes depicting the busy preparations for a wedding. Into these moments careens Wet Dog, drawn with stylish abandon by David Catrow. This dog is the perfect fit for Elise Broach's rollicking text and appreciative descriptions of just how much havoc one dog can bring to the occasion.