Why Is Blue Dog Blue? [Hardcover]

George Rodrigue (Author), Bruce Goldstone (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: 2 and up

Paintings of Blue Dog in many different colors, including salmon, cherry, and moss green, explain why Blue Dog had to be blue.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ages 4-8. Cajun artist George Rodrigue first painted his distinctive, blueberry-colored pooch in 1984. Since then, Blue Dog has become a pop icon, the subject of several books by the author and many canvasses loved by both celebrities and the story-hour set, the audience for this picture book. Here, Rodrigue answers the title question by explaining that Blue Dog's color depends on what the artist is doing: when Rodrigue goes fishing, he paints the dog a salmon color; when Rodrigue wants a hot dog, he paints the dog mustard yellow, and so on. The text seems mostly a vehicle for introducing colors that belong in an upscale clothing catalogue (alabaster, emerald), and an unsatisfying quasi-cosmic remark finally answers the title question. Despite the problems, young Blue Dog fans will enjoy seeing their favorite pup dressed in different colors, and Rodrigue's liberating reminder that "Artists don't have to paint things the way they really are" may inspire kids to discover new colors and use them creatively. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Stewart, Tabori and Chang (March 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584791624
• ISBN-13: 978-1584791621
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #124,089 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Art > History

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big Dog is a Big Hit, April 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Why Is Blue Dog Blue? (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful book! It's a surprisingly inventive and original take on colors. Children will want to read it over and over and adults will enjoy the compelling text and innovative design. The illustrations do a terrific job supporting this unique approach to looking at and thinking about color.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A bright, vividly illustrated picturebook, May 17, 2002

By 

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

This review is from: Why Is Blue Dog Blue? (Hardcover)

Written and illustrated by George Rodrigues, Why Is Blue Dog Blue?: A Tale Of Colors is a bright, vividly illustrated picturebook for easy readers showcasing a wide range of colors using the image of a personable dog. From cherry red to mustard yellow and salmon pink, Why Is Blue Dog Blue? presents a brilliant color array along with very simple text for young people. A most enjoyable book for little ones, Why Is Blue Dog Blue? is highly recommended for young readers in the process of learning about colors.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for introducing more names for colors..., April 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Why Is Blue Dog Blue? (Hardcover)

I found this book great for teaching young children that there is more to colors than the usual ROYGBIV.