📖 Overview
A girl and her grandfather share special moments with their dog Rosie, documenting their daily activities and interactions together. The narrative follows their walks, playtime, and quiet moments at home.
The prose captures small details and observations about Rosie's behaviors and personality through simple, direct language. Moser's illustrations complement the text with realistic depictions of the dog and her human companions.
Through its portrayal of the bond between humans and animals, the book explores themes of companionship, family connections, and the everyday joys found in caring for a pet. The story presents these concepts in an understated way that resonates with both children and adults.
👀 Reviews
Readers perceive this as a calm, straightforward story about a girl's bond with her pet dog and their daily activities together.
Parents and teachers value the book's simple descriptions and slice-of-life moments that young children can relate to. Multiple reviewers noted it works well as an early reader for ages 4-7. The detailed pencil illustrations received positive mentions from art teachers and librarians.
Some readers found the narrative too basic and uneventful. A few reviews mentioned children losing interest before the end.
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.69/5 (26 ratings)
Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings)
"Perfect for helping kids understand routines and responsibilities with pets" - Elementary school teacher on Goodreads
"Beautiful drawings but the story itself is forgettable" - Parent reviewer on Amazon
"My 5-year-old asks for this one often, especially since we got our puppy" - Goodreads reviewer
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The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst A child copes with the death of a pet cat by listing the good things about him.
The Old Dog by Charlotte Zolotow A child learns to accept the aging and death of a family pet through memories and understanding.
Saying Goodbye to Lulu by Corinne Demas A girl experiences the stages of her dog's aging and eventual death while learning to treasure their time together.
Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant Through text and illustrations, this book presents a vision of where dogs go after they pass away.
The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst A child copes with the death of a pet cat by listing the good things about him.
The Old Dog by Charlotte Zolotow A child learns to accept the aging and death of a family pet through memories and understanding.
Saying Goodbye to Lulu by Corinne Demas A girl experiences the stages of her dog's aging and eventual death while learning to treasure their time together.
🤔 Interesting facts
🐾 Author Barry Moser is primarily known as a renowned illustrator and printmaker, having illustrated over 300 books including editions of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "The Holy Bible."
🎨 The book features Moser's signature watercolor illustrations, which capture the personality and warmth of his real-life dog, Rosie.
🐕 Rosie was a mixed-breed dog who lived with Moser and his family in Massachusetts, inspiring both this book and other artistic works.
📚 Published in 1994, this tender story reflects the special bond between humans and their canine companions through simple, heartfelt observations of daily life.
🏆 The book earned praise for its honest portrayal of pet ownership, avoiding overly sentimental clichés while celebrating the authentic joy of having a dog as a family member.