Book Description

Games and activities for kids and canines

Here's a great way to teach a dog some new tricks. With the super ideas and activities in this book, there's no end to the fun you'll have playing with your favorite four-legged friend. From shooting hoops to jumping through hoops, from taking a photo to taking a shower, Totally Fun Things to Do with Your Dog has an amazing array of activities you can share. Discover new variations on playing catch and fetch, or teach your dog to play hide and seek. You can even throw a special party for your special pooch-pal. Basic training tips are also included along with fascinating facts about dogs. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This is a kids' book!
This is a kids' book! Well guess what, I had somehow missed that vital bit of information. If I'd known, I would never have purchased Totally Fun Things to do With your Dog.

A Totally Cool Book!
This book is great! If you enjoy spending time with your dog, or want to, read this book. It has projects you can do with your dog. tricks you can teach. Fun games you can play. And exellent tips. I got this book, and i love it. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

ADORABLE!
Hairy Maclary is given a bone from his friend in town... watch with delight as he outsmarts his good buddies so he can have his bone ALL to himself to enjoy. Watch his body language as he prances down the street, strutting confidently but at the same time worried he is going to have to share his tasty bone with his entourage of friends, Shnitzel von Krumm with a very low tum, Hercules Morse as big as a horse, Muffin McLay like a bundle of hay, Bottomly Potts covered in Spots, Bitzer Maloney all skinny and bony...sometimes the best things in life are best shared with friends but sometimes are better yet when we are alone. You will find him adorable. You and your kids will just love him unconditionally because he is clever and cute. A happy feel good read... the rhyming text and pictures are just perfect.

Hairy Maclary rocks !
Hairy Maclary's Bone is our favourite Hairy Maclary book but we love all of them ! My 3 year old son asks for them over and over again . The descriptions are perfect and all the books are so fast moving that they can entertain even the shortest of attention spans !! Enjoy !

A wonderful Hairy Maclary adventure
Another in the Hairy Maclary series. I have almost every book that Lynley Dodd has published, and my three year old adores them all. Hairy Maclary waits patiently at the butcher shop for his bone, on his way home he is joined by his canine friends, all of who want his bone. Hairy comes up with sneaky ways to rid himself of his followers. All children that love dogs will love this book. A great dog, a great read!

A great read for your kids!
The rhyme and rhythm of this imaginative story make for fun reading. Hairy MacLary from Donaldson's Dairy has all the dogs in town following him, with their eyes on his bone. But he loses them one by one by leading them all around town on a complex obstacle course. We first read this book when my son was 2, but 2 years later it is still a firm favourite (of his and mine!). ... Read more

Amazon.com

Dog talk is not merely whimpers, growls, sniffs, barks, and howls.According to award-winning author Jean Craighead George, it's in the tail ("the flag of feelings") and ear twists, too. In this irresistible picture book, you'll learn how to speak to your dog in his or her own language.Sniff his nose to say hello, for example. (You don't have to lick back, even though it would please him.) While you'll never be a match for your dog in the sniffing department, you can look deeply into his eyes or you can whimper to show you care. Don't growl or bark, however. ("Although it's fun, it is not very rewarding to bark at your dog. He doesn't understand your bad accent and may twist his head and look at you in confusion.")

Sue Truesdell's splendidly doggish illustrations interact with photos of Jean Craighead George herself--a woman who has been around dogs her whole life. Dog lovers of all ages will run in circles for this loving, funny celebration of the human-canine relationship. For those who prefer cats, investigate the companion title, How to Talk to Your Cat. (Ages 7 to 107) ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Great Book
Although this book is short it is great for younger children and is an over-all guide to "Dog talk".You should buy this book, I truly recommend it!

THE CAT'S MEOW! GREAT ADVICE AND HOWLING FUN ILLUSTRATIONS
Let's start simply and honestly, the same way these tomes approach their subject matter, and say these are the cat's meow! Jean Craighead George has penned two ultra-thin volumes on communicating with our best friends and felines, and each is a howling success. The Newberry Medal-winning author does what someone like Elizabeth Marshall Thomas has tried to do in books tens of thousands words and pages longer and could not. Jean, by George, had found the winning ways to teach pet lovers how to chat with their four-footed pals. Her writing is sparse: "A lick is not a kiss. It is a statement that says you're a wonderful leader." Her advice is refreshing: "Growling is aggressive
talk. Don't growl back. Dogs don't like that." As special as her words is the whimiscal use of arkwork: actual color photos of the animated author interacting with illustrations (by Sue Truesdell) of equally animated cartoon cats and dogs. (We just love the one of George on all fours, rubbing heads with a cat!) Four paws up!

More Harm Then Education
When I was given this book by a client I was thrilled.The book's a brilliant red front cover is beautifully illustrated with a cartoon dog.The inside pages are illustrated with more canine cartoons interacting with photos.At first glance it seems to be an intriguing children's book.Unfortunately the cover of this book is where all positive comments end.

I believe the author's intention in this book is to teach canine communication skills.If I am correct in this assumption, she not only failed miserably but may have caused more harm then education.

She advises "To say hello to your dog, sniff toward his nose.That's dog talk.He will answer by pulling his ears back and close to his head.What he is saying is 'Hello, Leader".Ms. Craighead-George is describing a dog who is telling their nose-sniffing-human "This is a bit uncomfortable, please stop". A dog's ears going back can be a conflict behavior.

She goes onto say "'Good night' in dog talk is physical.Rub your dog's head, ears and neck.Lower your lids and sigh into his fur. You are the mother dog licking her pup off to sleep."Although I often enjoy a nice snuggle with my dog I am relatively certain he knows I am not his mother or a dog.I was relieved that she did not suggest I lick my dog, we all have to draw the line somewhere.

Ms. Craighead-George advises "'Good-bye' is a whisk of the tail, then turning and walking off.Since you don't have a tail, swish your hand downward and show your back.If your dog does not choose to hear this unwelcome message and races after you, tell him, `I am the boss,' in dog talk, then repeat the dog `good-bye'."I will admit to frequently suffering from serious bouts of tail-envy but I'm afraid my hand waving behind my rear end is a bit of a stretch in wishful thinking.

Ms. Craighead -George crosses the line from embarrassingly silly to potentially dangerous in her section titled "How do you say `I am the boss'?"She advises, "The most effective way is to put your mouth on his muzzle.That means in dog talk that you are the leader.His ears will go back and against his head, and his tail will lower.This is his way of saying, `Yes, you are my leader'."I suspect many people who attempt this will have time to contemplate what their dog was really saying ("You have totally lost your mind and you are frightening the heck out of me") while they wait patiently in the emergency room to have their dog bite treated.

She suggests if your dog becomes anxious or confused you should "Sniff his nose to tell him not to be angry or confused.Nose sniffs are peace talk."I have a sincere concern that for a dog that is in an anxiety situation, a human sticking their face in his to sniff his nose may increase the stress level to a point where the dog may feel he has no other option but to bite the face that sniffs him.

It is cautioned in "How to Talk to Your Dog" that children should not roll onto their backs while playing with their dog or they will be saying in dog language "I am your humble servant".My own dogs must be the most misinformed canines on the planet.They have three young humble servants in their household and they don't even realize it!

I would recommend that the author stay with ridiculous but harmless comments suggest as "You can pass other messages with your eyes.Think, `I love you.I love you,' and your lower lid will involuntarily come up and soften your expression.Your dog will read that and return this message by softening his eyes."

I am still uncertain to what population this book is directed.I can only hope it was not written for innocent children and will only fall into the hands of adults who will quickly realize this book for the nonsensical hogwash that it is.

Good book, but assumes too much of children
This book shows young people the joys of communicating with dogs, from how to recognize dog talk through body language to the various ways animals communicate through whimpers, sniffs, and barks. The book, however, assumes that young children will know not to apply these very "hands-on" techniques to strange dogs--a very dangerous assumption that could lead to dog bites. The book offers two suggestions that one should never do in front of an aggressive dog: one is to wave a newspaper above the dog's head, the other is to sniff a dog's nose to calm an angry or confused dog down. Children should never be expected to calm an angered or aggressive dog down. While the book has lots of good information on dog behavior that could benefit both children and adults, it lacks the cautionary requirements to keep kids from getting bitten by dogs too.

A Doggone Good Book
Did you know that dogs don't just use their voice to communicate, but also their eyes, nose, tail, ears and even body position?Jean Craighead George has written a charming and humorous book that will not only help you understand your dog, but help you "talk" right back to him.As she explains on page one, "No one will ever love you as much as your dog does". He will be your friend for life, so why not speak his own language.Ms George's easy to read and informative text coupled with Sue Truesdell's delightful illustrations will make you a canine communicator in no time.This is the perfect book your whole family can enjoy together and a must read if you have or are planning on getting a dog.So find out what you dog is really telling you...and talk back! ... Read more

Book Description

Look for additional Blue's Clues books -- board books, sticker books, and more! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

ok
I'm not a big fan of these books, but my daughter really enjoyed this book, if not for the story, for the lift the flaps and my improvisation of the story. I don't think this will ever be a classic, nor a story that has any content. But it definitely has that 'Blue' appeal that infants and toddlers love.

Definitely a Toddler Book, Not a Baby Book
The artwork in this book is excellent! Just as good as the TV show. My 13-month-old son loves to look at the pictures in this book, and open the flaps, but tends to lose patience with the words. I think he might enjoy it more in 5 or 6 months, when he can identify shapes better.

A Must Have Book !
What a great book to add to a toddler's collection. This is a must have. Having fun, learning shapes and colors, and an easy read for a tired dad in the evening. Another 'must have' we've found are two in a series called WHAT IS ROUND? and WHAT IS SQUARE?....maybe even better because the images are real photographs and WOW talk about color. We pack ALL of these with us when we go anywhere. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

THIS is the edition to get
If you just want a copy of _The Call of the Wild_, to give to a friend, say, this is the one to get.

The elegant Library of America edition of "London: Novels and Stories" has three complete novels _The Call of the Wild_, _White Fang_, _The Sea-Wolf_, and a very well chosen selection of stories. It's great. Viking's _The Portable Jack London_, is cheap and excellent; it's edited by Earle Labor, has _The Call of the Wild_, and an excellent selection of short stories, nonfiction, and letters. If you want copies of _The Call of the Wild_ to give to LOTS of friends, the Dover Thrift Edition is just a buck.

But if you want _just_ The Call of the Wild, this edition is nice enough to give as a gift, is clear and legible, and has just the right amount of pictures and annotations. Not a scholarly work, but every time you get to one of those places where you have a question--where was Dyea? What was the "Chinese lottery?" Could a dog really pull a thousand pound sled? there's Dyer with the answer.

If you're interested in Jack London, take a look at the alt.books.jack-london Internet discussion group--see "about me" for details. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

cute construction story
My kids and I heard this read at the library story time. This is a great book to share with kids who love big construction equipment. Mr Rally is a construction worker and he has a dog who loves to dig!

Mr Rally has five jobs to do. As you and your kids follow Mr Rally about through his day you can use this story to ask how many jobs does he have left to do.

Great for preschool story times and even makes a great bedtime story! ... Read more

Book Description

There's a new dog in town and his name is Otto, a lovable, goofy dog sure to win over the preschool set. In each adventure, Otto faces a familiar childhood dilemma and resolves it in a surprising, silly, and satisfying way. What should a dog left alone in the house do? Go to the beach and meet a new friend, of course! How should a dog get himself to fall asleep? Why, he should dream about all his favorite things! Todd Parr's signature bright colors and bold images burst out on every page. Each easy-to-read story ends with a special reassuring message from Otto, giving these books the same personal touch that proved so popular in Parr's previous bestselling titles It's Okay to Be Different and The Feelings Book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great fun!
Todd Parr really gets it right. We love his illustrations and straightforward text. I like this book even better than the "Do's and Don't's" books that we've come to know well. This one is cute enough that the kids get it and the adults can grin as well. Easy, sweet, silly, fun to look at. My four-year-old adores it -- an instant favorite. Our most-loved page is when Otto brushes his teeth with "chicken flavored toothpaste." ... Read more

Book Description

Big Dog . . . Little Dog has been reformatted into a Beginner Book to join P. D. Eastman’s other classics:
Go, Dog. Go! and Are You My Mother? This delightful book chronicles a day in the life of Ted and Fred–two dogs who are different in every way, but also the best of friends. An irreverent introduction to the concepts of size, color, and opposites, with additional art and text by the creator’s son, Tony Eastman. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets
Da book is Da Bomb it scares u and makes u laugh,cry and smile it is all about harry i think u should read it and give a friend the book after your done it is about a man named Tom Riddle and another named Harry potter it will have u on the edge of your seat. It is also a very wise story ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Big Red best book!
I read Big Red by,Jim Kjelgaard and all I have to say it's the best book I've read in my life.
It's about a boy who lives in the Wintapi not far from Mr.Haggin's place he lays eyes on this wonderful dog Red and he can't live without him Mr.Haggin will allow him to buy Red for lots of money but Danny doesnt have the money.......
I can't say no more read the story your self to see what happens.

Big Red is a wonderful story
Big Red is a book about a boy named Danny that lives in the Wintapi forest. One day, Danny meets his rich neighbors dog, Red, and knows he has to have it. Red is a beutiful Irish Setter with a lovely coat of red. Red is also a very good hunting dog. Danny and Red become very good friends and face the dangers of living in the Wintapi forest. This book is a very good story about a boy and a dog that are true friends, and this book also shows the true meaning of friendship. So read the book. I'm sure you'll love it!

A classic tale of a boy and his dog
I read this book in 9th grade, about 15 years ago, and am purchasing it to read to my daughters. If you love dogs, and have ever felt that special bond with a dog, you will enjoy this book.

The writing is about a 6th grade level, so it is an easy read. I would recommend most of Jim Kjelgaard's books - although they are all very similar in form and structure.

IT WAS GREAT!! A DOUBLE READER
This was a great book, I have read it multiple times and will most likely read it again. If you like nature and dog books read BIG READ

A great new ending, the dog doesn't die
You'd think that this book is the same as all other dog stories, a kid and his dog go roaming the woods and having adventures, and the dog dies some tradgic death at the end. Not this story. Other than one part, the story is about the same as any other dog story. THE DOG DOESN"T DIE.
During the story, some showdog helps a trapper kid in his trapping, and helps the kid in his "quest" to kill some big bear named Old Magesty. The book is pretty good, but it gets a little boring at the beginning. The book is pretty cool, so buy it and remember that the dog doesn't die. ... Read more

Book Description

It's a playful battle of brawn vs. brains when a plotting pooch cooks up a plan—and a stew!—to get rid of three wickedly clever rabbits that keep raiding his vegetable garden. But the clueless canine is no match for the sly creatures, and before you can say "jack rabbit," the dog has himself a delicious (rabbitless) stew while the rabbits get credit for helping—and the leftovers as well! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

very clever
I have a very picky eater and will do anything to pique his interest in different foods.This clever story is so charming that even a picky eater will want some "Rabbit Stew." The children and I love this story and always refer to how skilful the rabbits are in getting themselves out of a sticky situation while enjoying some laughs and yummy "Rabbit Stew."We also like to make a big deal of shopping for ingredients for our "Rabbit Stew" while at the grocery store.I applaud the illustrators ability in capturing the animals personalities.

This is a great book!
Rabbits are my favorite animals.This is my favorite book!
...

Tamara Petrosino is AWESOME
I guess I'm a little biased - I know the illustrator, and remember her working on the pieces for this book. I think she did a marvelous job and the book is a lot of fun. Go Tamara!

My children can't get enough of this book!
My (nearly) three-year-old and my (nearly) seven-year-old keep requesting this book again and again. The story is funny yet mild. In some of the illustrations the rabbits are nearly hidden so it's almost a game to findthe rabbits. It also makes a statement about thinking someone else isn'tvery clever. ... Read more

Amazon.com

We would follow Stephen Huneck's black Labrador, Sally, anywhere--to thebeach, to the mountains, and certainly to thefarm. The Sally books are wonderfully witty glimpses into the simple psyche of adog, where exciting new smells and tastes reign supreme. Sally first meets thegolden Lab Molly, and after a comical round of introductory sniffing, her newfriend proceeds to introduce her to Bessie the cow, who squirts them with milk.The doggy duo then eats like pigs, horses around, plows a field, and narrowlyescapes a goosing. Each oversized illustration explodes with generous, boldlycolored woodcut prints, as Huneck artfully captures the gorgeous stripedgeometry of farmland and fences--along with amusing canine antics. Simplesentences in a large clear font (designed by the artist himself) ensure smoothsailing and happy endings for early readers, but adults will enjoy the dry humorof these books just as much as kids will. (Ages 2 to 6) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Best Book Yet in Huneck's Series!
Delightful! Colorful! Enchanting! Stephen Huneck knows exactly what dogs think and what they love to do! Sally has certainly been on some wonderful adventures, to the beach and to the mountains, but going to the farm is just the most humorous and delightful story yet. The artist's charm and wit is magical. Everyone will love this book! And the woodcut prints that illustrate the books are absolutley fabulous! Anyone with a love for dogs, colorful art, or humor should buy this book (...) ... Read more

Book Description

In the noble and dangerous times of medieval France, the young knight Aubrey de Montdidier, nephew of the Count of Montargis, has been strangely murdered. His friend the brave Sieur DeNarsac, captain of the count's men-at-arms, and Thierry, a young page, must now solve the tragic mystery. Yet it is a magnificent white wolfhound by the name of Dragon -- Montdidier's faithful companion -- who brings an unexpected, shocking conclusion to the puzzle of his master's untimely death.

New York Times best-selling authors Julie Andrews Edwards and Emma Walton Hamilton weave a tapestry of intrigue, power, loyalty, and friendship in this novel based on the captivating French legend of Montargis.

Reviews (3)

A great book!
The book is about a dog and knights. There are a lot of surprising details in the book. The characters are all great, too. My favorite character is Dragon the dog. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes knights in battle. Thank you Julie Andrews for writing this book.

doggone dragon
A story of mystery and suspense, a book of honoring, and a thriller for the whole family. This book, dragon, is like a Sherlock Holmes mystery: Dragon is the explainer of what happened, DeNarsac is Sherlock, and Thierry is Watson.

I suggest this book if your interested in the things below:
1.Mystery
2.Medieval times
3.Knights
4.Dear Watson
By Jake

Kids will undoubtedly enjoy this excellent book.
You can definitely count on books from the Julie Andrews Collection to contain good story lines and inspiring messages. DRAGON: Hound of Honor is a perfect example of the fine quality work the collection encompasses.

When the knight, Aubrey de Montdidier, mysteriously disappears there is an immediate sense of something amiss. Everyone in the kingdom is shocked, dismayed and horrified when, with the help of the knight's dog, Dragon, his bloodied body is found. No one can imagine why this terrible thing has happened, least of all his best friend Guy deNarac and his young page Thierry, plus Aubrey's future bride, the lovely Lady Isabelle. Through the dog, Dragon, a most unlikely suspect is eventually found, but how can a dog communicate this kind of information?

Many interesting characters bring this story to life, but the most fascinating one is Dragon, the great white wolfhound. This dog is intelligent and loyal, and ultimately helps bring the murderer of his young master to justice. Readers will be amazed at the dog's courage and willingness to sacrifice himself --- this is the story of a real hero.

Multiple expressions and words, which reflect both the time period and the French language, are found throughout the book. Helpful glossaries of French-English and medieval terms are provided for readers at the end. The authors have worked hard to tell a wonderful story and give an accurate picture of life during medieval times. Kids will undoubtedly enjoy this excellent book, which is perfect to use in an educational setting. Recommended for grades 5-8.

--- Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts (stibbetts@maine207west.k12.il.us) ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Cool
I love this book, even though there are no evil plans Miltie is still freaky .P.S. McJunior is My favoriet ... Read more

Amazon.com

You can't keep a good pup down--at least not down off the counter, oraway from the storage closet, or out of trouble in general. Alexandra Day takesoff on another scamper with her cute rottweiler pup in Puppy Trouble, apop-up tear through an about-to-be-very-disheveled home.

Just as in past outings (like Good Dog, Carl and Carl Goes Shopping), thisrascally dog means well--he's just, well, a puppy. Kids will especiallyenjoy this Carl adventure for its copious push-and-pull-tab action, on sixdifferent spreads, from the living room to the bathroom to the kitchen. Many ofthe scenes are conventional pop-up tableaus: Carl popping out of his petcarrier, tugging on a tablecloth, and jumping off a counter. But a few show somegenuine ingenuity, like a spiraling roll of toilet paper (as if he needs helpfrom the cat), a rear-end-activated TV remote, and a convincing imitation of aFelix clock.

Day's sweet renderings and muted, traditional setting maintain Carl's mysteriousbut undeniable appeal, and the short lines of text ("Let go of kitty's pillow!";"Better not pull that!") provide wee ones with an excellent chance for buildingvocabulary. (Baby to preschool) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Book Description

In Henry and Mudge's twenty-first adventure, Henry's Uncle Jake has built him a tree house. Henry loves tree houses, but Mudge can't climb trees. What fun is a tree house if you can't share it with your best friend? ... Read more

Book Description

Jack and Jill and big dog Bill go sledding one snowy winter day. When big dog Bill notices a rabbit on the hill, mayhem ensues. This fun phonics reader helps early readers with the use of alliteration and rhyming.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

The first book she ever read!
This book was the first book my daughter ever picked up and read entirely on her own. She beamed with pride as she was able to sound out every word. It's simple story and helpful pictures gave her such a sense of accomplishment as she mastered her very first story. This book will have a place of honor on our bookshelf as my little reader speeds onto other more complex books and continues to develop a love for books. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (14)

Beautifully Illustrated Fantasy
Of course no one would leave his/her baby with an ordinary dog--but this is CARL! Carl can dress the baby and care for the baby. Let's face it. The story is totally make believe. Santa arrives at the home too and leaves by traveling up the chimney. I don't suppose I would expect that in real life either. The illustrations are lovely. There are very few words in the book, so it is fun to tell the story in your own words. I think Carl's Christmas as well as the other Carl books are charming.

Beautifully illustrated Christmas book for toddlers/Pre-K
Overhearing a man at the bookstore ask for a "baby's first Christmas" book, this one leapt to mind. It's an enjoyable tale about a family dog keeping watch over the baby at Christmas time. They leave the house on their own and journey through the snow-swept streets of town enjoying a variety of Christmas scenes sure to warm the heart.

There is almost no dialogue in the book, which allows parents to narrate the story at the language level of their child. Children, too, would be able to pick up the book and follow the story simply through the beautiful illustrations. Carl being left to babysit may bother some readers, but I accepted the premise as fantasy and was captivated by the colorful, touching images of Christmas as experienced by Carl and his young charge.

H-E-L-L-OOOO!!! "Carl" is a wonderul FANTASY!
A absolutely WONDERFUL book! One in a series of "Carl" books, that are beautifully illustrated and "told" in the most lovely way for young readers...thru the illustrations! My son totally enjoyed this book when he was much younger (which did NOT prompt him to try and ride our 2 Rotts, as some seem to have a problem with) and it has become an absolute favorite for one of my nephews, who is 3 yrs. old...the "adults" who write in ridiculous unproductive reviews, as has been posted here in the past, and need a forum to discuss child endangetment issues, need to find another venue...this is not the place; Childrens books, for the most part, have always been based on FANTASY! Parents help by teaching their children the differences between fantasy and reality...yes, even to 2 year olds! If the thinking of a few "joyless" people who have posted their "reveiws" here in the past on this book was the norm, then I guess Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, et. al., should be "arrested" for child neglect too, for kids might try jumping off roofs to fly! Go Carl!!!

PS...And here's a thought: if you have children sitting on your pets, as the reveiwer from Stockton CA (reveiw posted Nov. 26, 2002) has a problem with, and can't get the kids to stop, then maybe it is time to do your pets a favor and find them new homes!

CHILD NEGLECT ON CHRISTMAS
I think this is a horrible book. A baby left alone with the dog on Christmas while his parents go to Church and to grandma's house. The baby is going through town a night in the snow in his pajamas. I have a hard time getting my child not to sit on the dog already I don't need him getting ideas that he can ride on a dogs back. Just the whold idea of leaving your baby with the dog is horrible.

Leave your baby home with the dog?
I just could not get past the idea of this book. A family leaves a baby home alone with a rottwielier on Christmas day. The dog then rides the baby on its back through the cold city streets even stopping to peer into the window of another family enjoying their Christmas together - babies included. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

A handsome package of an old favorite
Gray Dawn is a reissued paperback edition of the stories written by Albert Payson Terhune for The Ladies' Home Journal in 1927 in serial form. Many of us whose childhood spanned the 40's and 50's remember reading about the merle collie with the steadfast, loyal heart who was such a charming personality and unexpected clown. My mother-in-law reread it and remembered that reading Albert Payson Terhune's books about collies had inspired her to begin breeding collies. Her story is not unique. Terhune's tales of collies have touched all readers deeply over the years. It is good to see a lovely reprint of the Gray Dawn stories. My first reading of them came when I received a box of my uncle's childhood literary favorites which included Lad, A Dog, Gray Dawn, and at least eight or ten other Terhune titles. This was back in about 1953. Although Terhune has a reputation as a juvenile fiction writer, his books are not written "down" to children, and they hold continued appeal for the adult audience. There will always be a need for the authentic portrayal of the values of courage, honor, natural beauty, loyalty, and love of life. These are readily found in Gray Dawn, in addition to humour, intricate descriptive detail of natural surroundings, and an overflowing reverence for life. Introduced by Terhune scholar Wayne Lewis, this lovely new edition of Gray Dawn with its full color portrait of the grey collie on its cover is a handsome package of an old favorite ready for rediscovery by yet another generation. Perhaps many readers, like myself, will experience the joy of nostalgia while rereading the vivid pages. Terhune wears well. ... Read more