Hello, Everyone!
It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday AND it’s a long weekend! The kick-off of summer (even though it’s been 48 degrees (feels like 32 with the wind) and raining for the last few days!)
So do I have a book about Memorial Day today?
No. I do not.
Do I have a book about summer? Or barbecues, or picnics, or swimming, or camp?
No. I do not.
Do I have a totally fun book about a bear who wants to fight bad guys and build forts and then fight other bad guys?
Why, yes! I do! 😊
Title: I Am Not A Dog Toy
Written By: Ethan T. Berlin
Illustrated By: Jared Chapman
Publisher: Random House Studio, March 23, 2021, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 3-7 (although I am considerably older than that and I loved it 😊)
Themes/Topics: friendship, expectations, perspective
text copyright Ethan T. Berlin 2021, illustration copyright Jared Chapman 2021, Random House Studio
Opening:
“Hello!
I’m going to be your most
favorite toy ever!”
Brief Synopsis: [from the publisher]”A toy bear insists that he’s a kid’s toy–not a dog toy–in this story that shows that a true friendship is always one that goes in both directions.”
Links To Resources: video Sesame Street “What Is A Friend?”; video Sesame Street “How To Be A Good Friend”; video Sesame Street “Elmo and Rosita Teach Friendship”; read with other friendship books like Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle and Making A Friend by Tammi Sauer.
Why I Like This Book: This book is so much fun! It’s about a bear who is meant to be a kid’s toy, but the kid he’s given to doesn’t want anything to do with him. She throws him in the dog’s water bowl, and instead of becoming the kid’s favorite toy ever, he becomes the dog’s favorite toy ever, and that is just ALL WRONG! The bear (whose voice is fabulous!) is determined to be a kid’s toy and does his best to win the girl over, but she throws him in “the wedge” (the crack between her bed and the wall where everything she doesn’t like goes and is never seen again!) The dog saves him. And despite all the bear’s preconceptions, he slowly realizes that the girl is boring and the dog is tons of fun. Sometimes, things aren’t quite what we expect, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be even better 😊 The text is very entertaining, and the art is colorful and energetic. What is there not to love about a friendship story like this? A great read for anyone who loves humor, dogs, and friends 😊
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
This book has such a great twist, I love it.
It’s super fun, Robin 🙂 The bear and the dog and the girl all have such distinct personalities, and the interaction is so entertaining!
I love that title! Funny how sometimes ones we least expect make the best friends. Thanks for sharing this book, Susanna.
My pleasure, Maria! You know I’m a sucker for any book with a dog in it 🙂 and this one is so much fun!
This book sounds hysterical! The voices in the few pages you shared are so funny! Will definitely be grabbing this one.
It is really fun to read aloud, Kim!
Love Bears’ voice – and I can actually hear Dog slobber. Great read aloud.
I know, right, Robin? And I love the whole let’s run around in circles, then cuddle, then run around in different circles element – so dog! 🙂
This looks like so much fun! My granddaughter and her oversized coon hound pup will love it!
I think they really will, Patricia! It’s such a fun book!
My dog would turn this bear into a pile of fluff in about 5.2 seconds, LOL. So I love how this dog is so enthusiastic, yet gentle enough to keep the bear intact! A terrific upending of expectations. Plus, those facial expressions and as you say, pitch perfect voice is terrific! Great pick, Susanna!
Hahaha! Same with my dogs, Jilanne! They can have “indestructible” toys reduced to living room shrapnel in 5.2 seconds or less! 🙂
Oh my goodness, I love this concept! And the snippets you’ve shared are so great! I’ll be on the lookout for this book, for sure.
I’m so glad I had time to read your blog today! I think this book is an excellent comp for a story I’m writing. It’s so funny!
Oh, how perfect, Susan! I’m so glad that worked out!
Wow. This sounds perfect.
It’s delightful, Stacy! 🙂
I love I am Not a Dog Toy! It reminds me so much of LOUIS!
I thought the exact same thing when I looked at that bear, Julie!!!
OMG I love this book. So funny. And it cements my take that a book can be all dialogue. Thank you for sharing this!!!
So glad you love it too, Deborah! 🙂
Love this post! I have to read this PB! Thanks for sharing this, Susanna!
Happy Memorial Day!
Will certainly be getting this book for my grandson. Fun friendships are fantastic!
I just put this book on hold at my library. Thanks for featuring it!