Courtney

by John Burningham

Book Overview

Courtney is the dog that nobody wants, but the children think he's lovely. When they take him home, their parents are very disappointed--he's just an old mongrel. But Courtney turns out to be a wonder-dog who can cook, juggle, and even play the violin.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0099666812
• ISBN13: 9780099666813
• Release Date: December 1996
• Publisher: Red Fox
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5" x 11.5"
• Age Range: 3 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Quite Different Book - My Son Loves It

After reading the book, you are left pondering what exactly has happened. I don't believe Courtney ran away because the children loved him exactly as he was. The parents were terribly judgemental but happily accepted Courtney's favors. Perhaps the authors point of the whole story is to get you thinking - did Courtney, who arrived with a trunk that appeared to have travelled the world, run off to some exotic destination? Or, did the "old, mongrel dog" just pass on? My 4 year old son and I prefer to believe that because he was old, he went on to doggie heaven. And when the children were lost at sea, Courtney was sent down as an angel from God to save them. This version warms our heart. (We're not at all religious but I do like to believe in miracles from God.) Whatever the author intended, my son loves this book! =)

This is what adults should be reading to kids

What a wonderful book. I adore John Burningham's books, and this one is my 4-year-old daughter's favorite (and mine!). It has a wonderful messsage and is genuinely touching without being condescending, a real rarity these days in children's books.

A Children Librarian's Recommendation

Courtney is a wonderful book to read aloud to school-age children. There's enough interesting characters if you enjoy changing your voice to match each one. (Mother, Father, child, policeman....) The story opens with a brother & sister who desperately want a dog and eventually get their parents to agree. They go to the dog pound and choose the biggest, ugliest mutt you can imagine. But the dog is wonderful! Courtney cleans house, mows the grass, cooks, plays a violin and turns into a juggler to entertain the baby in the family. There's a catch, though; Courtney likes to roam and one day just disappears, but returns at the end of the story in dramatic fashion- It's a wonderful book-one I will always have on my shelves!

Perhaps the best children's book ever written!

This is one of the most beautifully written children's books that I have ever read. When I first read it to my little brother, he asked me to read it to him again -- it's that good! A simple story about two children and a magical dog, Courtney is wonderful. It's a shame that this book, along with another great Burningham book -- "Avacado Baby" -- remains out of print. I know that I was disappointed to learn this, wanting a copy of my own. This book is just beautiful!