Happy Dog [With Poster]

by Lisa Grubb

Book Overview

Saturday is Jack Cat's favorite day of the week. But what is he to do when it rains and he can't go out to play with his friends? Paint a new friend, that's what! Meet Happy Dog. Together, these two... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399237070
• ISBN13: 9780399237072
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: Philomel Books
• Length: 1 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.3" x 11.3"
• Age Range: 2 to 6 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 1

Customer Reviews

Happy Dog makes me happy

Happy Dog by Lisa Grubb makes me... happy! The color paintings in this book are amazing. They are full of life and are absolutely beautiful. I am amazed at the detail and depth she gives to the pages and often spend extra time just looking at the pictures. Happy Dog is a clever story sure to attract and keep the attention of the little one you are reading to. The fun colors are sure to entrance them while they hear of the adventures of Happy Dog and Jack Cat on a rainy Saturday. It also makes a great starter book for those little ones who are learning to read. There are few stories that I can read over and over again to my children, but this is one I never get tired of. You will be happy you adopted Happy Dog into your library.

Wow!

MY 3 year old LOVES LOVES LOVES Happy Dog! We read it almost every night...other nights we read equally loved Happy Dog Sizzles...again and again and again. A MUST for toddler and pre-k books shelves! I'm sure children beginning to read will love it the vibrant colors and fun story too. Thanks Lisa! We're looking forward to your next book!

Mr. Happy Dog is a Happy Book!

WOW! and RUFF RUFF! From the electric blue on the cover to the vibrant, vibrating colors inside, this is an eye-dazzling book, full of imagined light and image that recalls one's first eyes-wide-open trip to Disneyland. THis happy book--filled with toys, birds, flowers, and fixtures out of rococco New Orleans, is about Mr. Jack Cat and how he invents (through painting, Ms. Grubb' self-taught profession) a friend, Mr. Happy Dog (!) on a rainy day. Mr. Happy Dog bounds off the canvas, and, although he has a certain mechanical look (too much acrylic?), he is unafraid and full of energy: "Happy Dog ran to the biggest puddle he could find and jumed in. SPLASH!" Unfortunately, the excited Mr. Dog has ignored Jack Cat's warning that his paint was dry yet, and Dog's colors begin to run. They return inside (where Cat touches up Dog's colors), and then Mr. HAppy DOg has a wonderful idea: Through painting they can insert themselves into any scene and have any adventure they'd like! They paint themselves into in a picture of giant castrle made of cheese (on a non-rainy day) and then paint more adventures. When Happy Dog finally tires and needs a nap, his friend "Painted him a big field of flowers to lie down in." Outisde this pretend play, Jack Cat finally gets sleepy too, and content with his newfound friend, he curls up on a sofa and naps. The book is lots of fun to read and look at. InGrubb's talented hands, even ordinary objects, like the antennae on a TV, can grow into giant Tinker-Toy like robotic arms. Raindrops and curtains alike seem alive with color and movement. On another level, the book subtly illustrates the possibility that, with some imagination and belief, one can "paint" oneself out of a potentially unpleasant situation and into a good one. IT's infection good fun; after reading this I found myself calling our own golden retriever "Ms. Happy Dog!" Definitely recommendedl I hope we'll see more books by this talented illustrator (see her website at lisagrubb.com).

Great gift

Happy Dog is a great book. The illustrations and story line work wonderfully together. My kids not only love to have me read it to them at bedtime but I have found them looking at it on their own (very unusual for them). It has become my favorite gift to give at birthdays (3-4 yrs old)

WOW - Beautiful book with amazing color

I had to pick up this book based on the cover alone! The bright red with fun looking dog caught my eye. Then, when I opened the book and saw all the lively colors on each page I just started smiling! This is such a happy book. My daughter was giggling, pointing and was so animated when I read it to her. She was saying Happy Dog the rest of the day and wanted me to read it to her again! I think the artist has done a fabulous job. It's nice to see that someone still paints with bright, thick colors as opposed to computer art that so many books now have. I'm going to buy this book for all my friends and for presents. It's wonderful and has a nice, fun message too!