Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #122296 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-16
• Released on: 2006-05-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

From School Library Journal
Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 3–Daniel is the bravest boy in the world, able to face spiders, snakes, and thunderstorms...but he just doesn't like dogs. When his aunt goes on vacation and leaves her pet, Bandit, with his family, he stays in his room and refuses to come out. Later that night, he needs to use the bathroom and is startled by Bandit, who has been frightened by a thunderstorm and is cowering behind the toilet. Daniel's anxiety slowly turns to astonishment as he realizes that he can comfort the pup–and that he does like dogs after all. The boy's connection to Bandit rings absolutely true, as does his insistence on his lack of fear. Day's hilarious illustrations, done in pen and ink with watercolor and gouache, show the truth behind his bluster, starting with the comical cover picture of Daniel climbing a lamppost to avoid a group of passing canines. Text and pictures work on every level, and readers will remember Daniel and Bandit long after they put the book down.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
PreS-Gr. 2. Every time his big sister observes that Daniel is afraid of dogs, he responds, "I'm not afraid of dogs . . . I just don't like them." He can avoid them on the street, but it's another matter when Aunt Rose's dog, Bandit, comes to stay at his house. Rather than eat with his family, Daniel retreats to his room and shuts the door. He ventures out late that night during a storm, only to find the dog trembling in the bathroom. Realizing that Bandit is afraid of thunder, Daniel reaches out and comforts him. Pitzer tells the appealing story with simplicity and restraint, allowing Daniel the dignity of his original stance and the opportunity to change his mind on his own. Day's sensitive ink drawings, brightened with watercolor and gouache washes, create a series of large-scale, double-page scenes that clearly illustrate the emotions as well as the actions and attitudes of the characters, including Bandit. An encouraging story for the many children who are afraid of dogs . . . or just don't like them. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author
SUSANNA PITZER currently resides in New York City with three Shetland Sheepdog sisters, Zzazu, Sofie, and Daisy. Zzazu is the inspiration for this book.

LARRY DAY is the illustrator of the acclaimed Let It Begin Here!, which received starred reviews in Booklist and The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, and other picture books while also working in the advertising industry. Larry lives in Downers Grove, Illinois, with his wife, Melanie, and their two sons, Andrew and Peter.

Customer Reviews

Review of Not Afraid of Dogs
I have a seven year old grandson who is very active and outgowing but is afraid of some dogs. I hoped this book would help him overcome his fear. He enjoys reading the story and I hope it will eventually help him work through his fear.

A Kansas Notable Book
On the committee when Not Afraid of Dogs was chosen as a Kansas Notable Book in 2006, I immediately bought it and have read it many times over with my grandson snuggled beside me. I still think the book is great, so I decided to rewrite this from an earlier review I did for the Kansas Notable committee. Right away when the story begins we learn that Daniel is afraid of dogs. Daniel, being a little boy, does not admit to being afraid of dogs. He says he just doesn't like them. He goes out of his way to avoid dogs, but one day something awful happens. His mother brings a dog home. Poor Daniel. The only safe place now is his room with the door shut tight. He can't even come out to eat dinner. Finally Mother Nature steps in and Daniel comes face to face with the dog. That night during a thunder and lightning storm, Daniel sneaks in to the bathroom and there crouched behind the toliet is the dog. Daniel is not afraid of thunderstorms, but the dog is terrified of them. A charming story with charming illustrations, it reaches a satisfactory conclusion. Not Afraid of Dogs captures a common truth about all of us in that we often dislike (fear) what is unfamiliar or that which we do not understand.
Eunice Boeve, author of Maggie Rose and Sass, a Kansas Notable Book set in an all black town in the 1880s; The Summer of the Crow,a novel set in 1935 Kansas; A Window to the World, about 12-year-old Annie who lives in 1850s Virginia; Trapped!, the true story of Virginia Reed, a girl with the Donner Party; and an adult western novel, titled Ride A Shadowed Trail.

What a captivating story!
Daniel is one of the bravest boys you will ever know. He is not afraid of spiders, snakes or thunderstorms. However, when his sister reminds him of his fear of dogs he bravely says that he is not afraid of dogs. He simply doesn't like them!

Not Afraid of Dogs is a captivating book for every young child who has a fear of dogs. The story begins with Daniel expressing that he doesn't fear spiders, snakes and thunderstorms, but he does have a dislike for dogs. In fact, whenever Daniel sees a dog on the elevator he immediately turns to use the stairs!

Then one day he arrives home to see his mother holding a dog on her lap! Oh, no! Daniel reminded his mom that he does not like dogs! She tells him calmly that she is aware of his dislike for dogs, but his aunt had to go away for a while and the dog had no other place to go. Daniel is not happy with the turn of events. Just then his sister mocks him by calling him a `fraidy cat and he shouts before locking himself in his bedroom that he is not a `fraidy cat! He is a brave boy!

Daniel's dad arrives home later that evening. Just as Daniel is about to run out to greet him he sees the dog in the room. He immediately returns to his bedroom and sits there for the rest of the evening. He doesn't come out for dinner and even turns his mother away when she tries to give him a plate of food.

It was late in the night and Daniel had to go to the bathroom. As he was heading in that direction he heard a loud thunderstorm. He reminded himself that he does not have a fear of thunderstorms as he walked towards the bathroom. Who do you think he saw as he went into the bathroom? The dog of course!

Oh, no! What will Daniel do now? What will happen to the poor little dog?

All of these questions are answered in this charming book that will immediately win the hearts of many young readers. The story is told in such a beautiful manner with excellent illustrations that captures the expression of little Daniel. The author, Susanna Pitzer, has written such a beautiful book that will stay with readers for years to come!