Woof: A Love Story [Hardcover]

Sarah Weeks (Author), Holly Berry (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 24, 2009 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

A dog is a dog
and a cat is a cat
And most of the time
it's as simple as that. . . .
Or is it?

What's a dog to do when he falls in love with the cat next door? Bark? Chase his tail? Dig up a "brass bone" and hope that the universal language of music will help him to express his feelings?

This humorous and heartfelt story is about the power of love and the power of music, told through the eyes of a lovelorn dog and the cat he adores.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Kindergarten-Grade 2—An ordinary dog who likes to do ordinary dog things ("running and panting, sniffing and growling, rolling in things, digging and howling") happens to notice a pretty little cat and promptly falls in love. He smiles; she notices his large teeth. He approaches; she retreats. He calls up to the tree where she's hiding, "I love you!" But what she hears is, "Woof, woof, woof, woof." His affectionate whispers sound very much like growls. It's only when he digs up a very special brass bone—a trombone, in fact—that he finds a way to communicate his love in a language she understands. This affectionate and funny story is told almost musically, in rhythmic (if occasionally uneven) verse by expert storyteller Weeks. Berry's exuberant collage illustrations spill over the pages, gorgeously chaotic and filled with heart.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY
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About the Author

Sarah Weeks is an author, singer, and songwriter. Her many books for young readers include the My First I Can Read Book Splish, Splash!, illustrated by Ashley Wolff, and the I Can Read Books Mac and Cheese, Baa-Choo!, Pip Squeak, and Drip, Drop, all illustrated by Jane Manning. She lives in upstate New York.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (November 24, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060250070
• ISBN-13: 978-0060250072
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #415,913 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sarah Weeks is the author of Oggie Cooder, So B. It, Jumping the Scratch, and the Guy series. She lives in New York City, where she practices charving at least once a fortnight.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars cat and dog romance, November 23, 2011

By 

Experienced Editor (Illinois, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Woof: A Love Story (Hardcover)

What happens when a dog falls in love with the cat next door? He says, "I love you," and she hears "woof, woof." He whispers "you're pretty," and she hears "Grrr." Things don't look promising for young romance, until the dog digs up a bone in the yard. Not an ordinary bone--a trombone. The language of music bridges their differences, and the cat responds with a "meow" that means "I love you, too."

Outstanding illustrations give the book a pick-me-up, read-me-again quality. Unique collages combine photos, prints, textures, paintings, cutouts, and more in imaginative ways. The personalities of the nameless dog and cat shine on every page.

The text begins in jaunty rhyme:
A dog is a dog
and a cat is a cat,
And most of the time
it's as simple as that.
As the narrative continues the syntax becomes more complex, the rhythm falters in places, and some of the lines are forced. Still, the story is joyful and the message heartwarming. Kids will love it.

5.0 out of 5 stars MEOW!, April 1, 2010

By 

Savvy Sal (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Woof: A Love Story (Hardcover)

They don't come any cuter than this book. The artwork and the text in WOOF are equally charming. I read this out loud to a Kindergarten class and it lead to the most wonderful discussion about love. Highly, highly recommend. I woof, woof, woof, woofed it!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Wonderful!, March 4, 2010

By 

Angela Womack Gonzalez "TXTwins Mom" (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Woof: A Love Story (Hardcover)

I absolutely love this book! It has joined "Hip Cat" as one of my favorites. The rhyming is creative and flowing, and the rhythm is almost musical. As a previous reviewer said, it's so much fun to read, especially if you really ham it up. The story itself is so sweet - about love and its universal language - MUSIC!