Product Description

"Bark, George," says George's mother, and George goes: "Meow," which definitely isn't right, because George is a dog.

And so is his mother, who repeats, "Bark, George." And George goes, "Quack, quack."

What's going on with George? Find out in this hilarious new picture book from Jules Feiffer.

2000 ALA Notable Children's Book, 2000 Notable Children's Books(ALA), and 2000 Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book

2001 Buckeye Children's Book Award, 00-01 Keystone to Reading Book Award Masterlist, and 00 2X2 Reading List (TLA)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19765 in Books
• Published on: 1999-06-07
• Released on: 1999-06-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780062051851
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Amazon.com Review
When George's mother tells her son to bark, he meows. She patiently explains that "Cats go meow. Dogs go arf. Now, bark, George." But he quacks! Then oinks. Then moos. Becoming less patient and more exasperated, George's mom takes him to the vet, who reaches deep down inside the errant pup, and, much to everyone's surprise, pulls out a cat! Then a duck, a pig, and finally a cow. George is cured, and barks at last! On the way home, his proud mother wants to show off her convincingly doglike son to everyone on the street. But when she says, "Bark, George," he simply says, "Hello." This is the simplest offering yet from Jules Feiffer--creator of the delightful picture books Meanwhile and I Lost My Bear. Still, his cartoonish drawings are intensely expressive, alive, and hilarious. None of it will be lost on the youngest of readers who will giggle every time George fails to bark, every time the vet extracts a new animal, and at the final punchline, too. In a world of often overdone or underdone picture books, this fine Feiffer creation is just right. (Click to see a sample spread. Copyright 1999 by Jules Feiffer. Permission by HarperCollins Publishers.) (Ages 2 and older) --Karin Snelson

From Publishers Weekly
In just a few pen strokes and just a few words, Feiffer (I Lost My Bear) outlines the playful scenario of a puppy who cannot say "arf." The images are striking, with no background details or props but the unobtrusive text. In the initial spreads, a big dog and a little one face each other from opposite sides of the book: "George's mother said: 'Bark, George.' George went: 'Meow.' " As George proceeds to quack, oink and moo, his dismayed mother grimaces and puts her paw on her head in the classic gimme-a-break gesture. She takes her afflicted son to a veterinarian, who snaps on a rubber glove and decisively repeats the title command. This time, when the pup meows, "The vet reached deep down inside of George... And pulled out a cat." Feiffer reverses the old-lady-who-swallowed-a-fly plot and boosts the giddiness with every barnyard animal removed from tiny George. The pen-and-ink close-ups of the dogs and vet are studies in minimalism and eloquence, and the characters' body language registers intense effort and amazement. Rather than being black-on-white, the illustrations get a boost from cool pastel hues. This pairing of an ageless joke with a crisp contemporary look will initiate many an animated game of animal sounds. Ages 2-6. (June)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2 What's to be done? When George's mother tells him to bark, the puppy meows then quacks, oinks, and finally moos! Like any good mother, the canine marches her son to the vet, who sets right to work. Reaching deep down George's throat, the vet pulls out a cat! But this does not solve the problem, and the doc continues his hilarious extractions. Deep inside his patient, he finds a duck, a pig, and even a cow. At last, when all are removed, George utters an "arf." Young readers will roar with laughter at this slapstick farce with simple line drawings, set against pastel backgrounds, which convey a full range of emotions. But the loudest laughs will come from the readers who share their lives with dogs. When the pup leaves the vet and joins the crowds of people on the street, his mother proudly tells him to bark. George's answer? "Hello!" No surprise to any dog owner who knows what's really deep inside that furry body. Barbara Scotto, Michael Driscoll School, Brookline, MA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Thank you, Feiffer
Most kids books fall into that mediocre range. Good enough to entertain children when given a decent reading by an adult, but nothing that sticks with you.

I suspect all parents have this moment when they are reading books to their kids. The point where they think, "I could write kids books." And, in fact, most of us could, and they would be no worse than most of what's out there. Look at the books churned out by celebrities, for example. They're not great, but not much off the mark of everything else out there.

But then you have the exceptions. The best kids books have an illusion of simplicity, but have a special magical quality. Jules Feiffer, with "Bark, George," has produced a book that rises above the rest. It's an effortless read which you can fly through at a rapid pace. But that simplicity is deceptive. Much in the spirit of Charles Shultz, Feiffer is able to draw crude, minimalist figures that manage to have depth, spunk, and charm.

First there is the dog saying "meow," and "oink-oink" and "moo." When the exasperated mother dog takes her son to the vet, things get more surreal, and more hilarious. The vet, bespectacled and pony-tailed, wearing the classic white coat, gloves up and begins to remove animals from the "deep down inside of George." Don't worry, he goes the upper GI route, not from below. The expressions on everyone's face, including the animals being extracted, is brilliant and hilarious. The illustration of the mother dog kissing the vet is amusing but very touching as well.

This is the most I've enjoyed Feiffer since he animated the transcripts of the Chicago Eight trial.

This book has been a huge hit in my house. I give myself partial credit as well, since I think my high energy reading really adds to the effect. But the real kudos go to the Feiffster, who taps into a child's imagination with the skills of a Schultz, Seuss, or Silverstein.

Simple, fun, adorable book.
My 2-year old daughter loves this book. She giggles the whole time she "reads" it to me word for word. It's simple and fun and great to share.

Loved by the whole family
My reputation as the "uncle with the knack for picking good children's books" remains intact after I sent this book to a not-quite-two-year-old nephew. Not only did it entertain him, but it caused his older brother to laugh out loud as well. Thanks for the lead on this smart, deceptively simple, entertaining book!