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Skinny Brown Dog
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1 new or used available from $20.85
Average customer review:
Product Description
Benny the baker leads a simple life. He makes delicious cakes, cookies and muffins, and keeps his customers well fed and happy. When a skinny brown dog shows up on Benny’s doorstep, nothing Benny says can convince him to go away. While Benny insists that the dog isn’t his, customers soon grow as fond of the skinny brown dog as they are of Benny’s yummy treats. The children even name him Brownie—the perfect name for a baker’s dog.
Benny starts to wonder what it might be like to have a dog of his own. But it’s not until Brownie comes to his rescue that Benny realizes a dog can make a very good friend. Full of winning characters (and delicious treats!), this book celebrates a very special friendship.
Product Details
- Published on: 2007-01
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Hardcover
- 1 pages
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3—Benny the polar bear has a bakery. Once a week he puts up a sign that says, "Free Broken Cookies Day" and the "children"—a squirrel, a hedgehog, and a bird—love to stop for a treat. One day a bowler-wearing "skinny brown dog" with white markings enters the shop. Benny immediately tells him that "dogs aren't allowed in my bakery" but gives him some food. The illustrations, which vary in size, show a pup who oozes personality as he politely removes his hat before returning a dropped purse to Mrs. Patterson the elephant. When she compliments the baker on his smart dog, Benny replies, "He's not my dog," and she winks knowingly at Brownie as he hangs out outside the bakery. Sure enough, Benny begins to imagine Brownie lying by the fireplace in his home. Acrylic paint, gouache, watercolors, and color pencil in somewhat muted tones give a realistic, weather-beaten look to buildings, and expressive faces and postures bring the characters to life. The polar bear is wearing a white chef's hat and coat, yet the white shades are distinctive, and the animals' clothing is patterned and colorful. At the end of the story, a new sign is posted proclaiming "everyone welcome." This is a well-crafted picture book that children will appreciate; they are most likely to pick up on the theme of exclusion and enjoy the humorous details and happy ending.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
When a skinny brown dog begins hanging around Benny's bakery, the door is firmly closed: "Sorry, but a bakery isn't any place for a dog." It takes the pup's quick action after an accident for the gruff polar bear to welcome a pet into his shop, home, and heart. National-winning novelist Holt delivers a crowd-pleasing story, to which Saaf's folk-art-style paintings add an unusual visual layer. Portraying the whole community as a mixed-species menagerie, the pictures may confuse children with what seems like a double standard: In this world of universally clothed animals, why do most of the critters behave like humans, while dogs are still just dogs? The slender distinctions between the other characters and the equally anthropomorphic Brownie (who wears a suit and hat, and even reads a book) may have been intentional, meant to suggest an allegory about real-world bias and acceptance. While this element never fully gels, it's the theme of irresistible canine charms, and Saaf's pictures, in equal parts clever and sweet (but never saccharine), that will deservedly earn children's appreciation here. Mattson, Jennifer
About the Author
Donald Saaf has illustrated many picture books, such as Pushkin Minds the Bundle. He lives in Saxtons River, Vermont.
www.kimberlywillisholt.com
www.donaldsaaf.com
Customer Reviews
Adorable!
This children's book is one of our favorites! The story is so sweet, and I also think the pictures are cute. My 4-year-old loves to look at all the pictures of the bakery food (he has a major sweet tooth). I am giving this book to many family & friends' children this Christmas.
A wonderful children's book!
I have a weakness for dogs. This book tells a sensitive, caring story about a sweet little dog and his quest to fit in. Beautiful!
But we love it!
Publisher's Weekly gave the art in this book TERRIBLE reviews, but I've got to say it: I LOVE THE PICTURES in Skinny Brown Dog. Yes, it's a little weird that Brownie is a pet when all the other animals are not. Yes, that's weird. But the animals are adorable and the story is absolutely endearing. My toddler loves, loves, loves Benny and his Skinny Brown Dog and so does her mom!
