Dogfish

by Gillian Shields

Book Overview

Everyone has a dog. Except for one little boy. He has a goldfish. He needs a dog. Mom says, "Why do you need a dog when you have such a nice goldfish?" But goldfish can't catch sticks or go for walks or wag their tails .... Can they? Maybe they can...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416971270
• ISBN13: 9781416971276
• Release Date: November 2008
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 9.1" x 10.9"
• Age Range: 3 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Very Creative.....The Kids Thought this Book was Great!

This book was just delightful for kids age 3-7. If your child is pestering you non-stop for a dog as they look at you with "hypnotizing eyes" (you'll get the "hypnotizing eyes" comment when you read the book); compromise and buy them this book (along with a goldfish of course)! Seriously though, this is really an entertaining book. The book is the story line, from a little boy's point of view, of his efforts to convince his mother that he really, really, REALLY needs a dog. After every thwarted attempt to make his mother see things his way, the boy provides a very humorous verbal account of how he looks upon receiving the bad news. This was a really interesting take on describing and illustrating emotions (i.e.: hopeless, irritated but sorrowful, sad). And then the book takes a turn because the little boy realizes that with patience, he could teach his goldfish tricks.....just like a dog. And in fact, he could do all the things with his goldfish that he imagined he could do with a dog. Positive emotions are then illustrated: feels good, happy, etc. All in all, a very good book that begins with a disgruntled "Everyone has a dog........except me" but in 28-pages ends with a blissfully HAPPY "why would I need a dog when I have the best goldfish in the world?"

fun story with interesting pictures

I agree with most of the other reviewers. This story is fun and playful overall, though at times it may be a bit sophisticated for younger readers. The illustrations are especially clever and interesting; they were my favorite part of the book. I do think it is a bit trite to ask a child to feel content with a fish instead of a dog, but I liked the message that you can use your imagination to have fun with what you have, even if you don't have exactly what you want. I think most everyone can relate to that.

A cute book with a lesson on contentment

The book, "Dogfish" is about a boy who feels he is less happier than others becasue he does not own a dog (like everyone else), but a goldfish that cannot do what dogs do (wag a tail, go for a walk, catch a stick). At the end, the boy finds happiness in the goldfish. In sum: 1. The book's lesson is real important one for the kids. As we know children WANT things even though they do not really NEED them. And as parents, we cannot always give them what they want, so this lesson in the book will encouarge children to be content with what they already have. 2. The book's point is: find happiness in what you already have. This is done by (1) being creative with what you have and (2) being appreciative of what you have. The book's illustration is simple but eye catching. My kids like the book. Also, it opened the door for teaching them to be happy with what they have (toys, books, etc). The book is also stitched (not glued to the spine), therefore it is sturdy. Highly recommended!

My daughter's new favorite book...

My 3.5 year old daughter loves this book about a boy who wants a dog because it seems like everyone around him has one. He goes to his mother with a handful of reasons of why he needs a dog and his mother comes up with a counterpoint for each reason given. Finally, she tells him that maybe she should try to want what he has which is his goldfish. With a fresh perspective, the boy begins to look at his goldfish in a new way. The goldfish begins to do things that a dog would do. In the end - everyone is happy, including the goldfish. My daughter asks to read this one over and over again. The story is humorus and the artwork is fantastic! One of the best new books that we have picked up in a long time. It is up there with Fancy Nancy as one of my daughter's favorites!

Great story, great visual style

This is a wonderful story about a boy who wants a dog but then learns to look closer to home for the companionship he seeks... Dogfish is written in a style in which readers young and old can find humor and enjoyment...The tale is a familiar one to parents and to those who remember their youth... The illustrations are a combination of both modern and mid-century modern design, this lends a clean, crisp look to backgrounds and allows the action to take center stage... It can be hard for kids to understand that when one door closes, another opens, and there is opportunity everywhere... Tales such as this are easy for children to relate to and with a parent's help they can apply almost any "want" to the story structure and learn to problem solve and to appreciate the things they have in new ways... In that way it acts as a social story, which are tools we frequently use with our five year old. This is going on our favorites shelf, if it ever makes it past the bedtime story pile on the nightstand...