Book Reivew of PLEASE, PUPPY, PLEASE

Bibliography:

Lee, Spike and Tonya Lewis Lee. 2005. Please, Puppy, Please. Ill. by Kadir Nelson. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. ISBN 0689868049


Plot Summary:

In Please, Puppy, Please, two young children spend the day taking care of their puppy. The puppy manages to make a mess in the house, run away, and lead them on several adventures. Despite the frustrations encountered along the way, the children’s love for their pet is evident when the puppy retrieves and returns a ball they have thrown.


Critical Analysis:

Please, Puppy, Please is a picture book with a simple story to tell. Spike and Tonya Lewis Lee use few words to actually relay what is happening. In fact, only one to two sentences are used on each two page spread. Sentences, such as “Outside? Let’s go play, puppy, puppy, puppy, please,” contain few words and are indicative of statements made by young children. The dominant aspects of this picture book are the illustrations created by Kadir Nelson. The action-packed illustrations bring the story to life. For example, if you could not see the picture accompanying the phrase above, you would not know that the children take the dog outside to play, because it has shredded the newspaper, toppled its bowl of water, and chewed several socks. The illustrations not only show, but actually take the readers along on the puppy’s adventures. Young children will delight in the antics of the disobedient puppy and his two young masters. Dealing with a puppy is something that many children can relate to and will understand especially if they have a pet of their own.

The design and layout of Please, Puppy, Please allows Nelson’s illustrations to shine. The realistic illustrations fill each two page layout, and several even depict the puppy as nearly life-size. This, accompanied by the varying vantage points used to view the scenes, allows the reader to feel as if he is a part of the action. For instance, on the page where the dog is shaking off after his bath, Nelson has painted the scene from the ground. It looks like you are lying on the grass watching the dog shake off. The illustration is so realistic with water drops and soap suds flying everywhere that you want to turn away to avoid getting wet yourself!

Although the words don’t relay the entire storyline, they do play a part in setting the mood. The strategic placement of the words on the action-filled pages, as well as the typeset and font size used, plays a part in relaying the atmosphere of the story. When the puppy is rolling in the mud, the illustration is filled with a close-up of the dog on his back. The reader is drawn to the look of pure joy on the puppy’s face. However, the positioning of the words by the dog’s muzzle and the emphasis on the last “please,” lets the reader know that the children are not happy with their pet. The size of the wording and the emphasis placed on “please” changes throughout the story as the adventures unroll. It grows larger or smaller depending on the mischievous actions of the puppy. The mood is reinforced by the expressions on the children’s faces as they deal with their pet. This combination of layout and illustrations makes the book visually appealing even to the youngest of readers.

I loved Please, Puppy, Please because of the theme and the artwork. The book made me laugh out loud as I recalled my own adventures through the Belgian farmlands chasing after my trouble-seeking terrier. The basic theme of a disobedient, playful pup will appeal to children, but it is Nelson’s illustrations which will compel children (and adults) to read and reread this book. They are an integral part of the story which would be rather boring without them.


Review Excerpts:

Horn Book Guide (April 2006) – “Nelson's oils capture both the bedlam and the hard-won respite.”

School Library Journal (November 2005) – “In the spare text, the authors' repetitive dialogue rings true, echoing the sounds of children's excited screams and squeals. Nelson's illustrations are full of movement, switching perspective often to create a frenzied atmosphere. The children and puppy are appealing, dominating each page and keeping the focus clearly on the action. This book would be fun to read to a group, small or large, and the text is easy enough for beginning readers.”

Booklist (November 2005) – “Even so, they'll enjoy the exuberant pup's antics, which Nelson captures from a variety of perspectives in colorful, energetic illustrations: the puppy leaps into the air, rolls in mud, bounds out of his bath, and shakes water all over himself, the children, and the cat. The conscientious youngsters chase him, imploring their baby to behave. Picture books featuring children of color that don't make ethnicity the focus of the story are needed in all collections; this one is particularly accessible and fun.”


Connections:

Make dog (or cat) origami. See “Origami Pets” at http://www.dr-dan.com/orgami.htm for directions on how to create.

Have a representative from the local pound come to speak with the children and talk about selecting pets and the proper care and treatment of pets. If possible, arrange for a tour of the local pound. It is a very informative and an eye-opening experience.

Have each child create a book about his/her pet or a pet the child wants. The children can draw pictures and either write the story or dictate it to an adult.

Make “dog treats” for a snack. Children can help make “Puppy Chow” using recipe found at http://www.thatsmyhome.com/recipes-for-kids/puppy-chow.htm.

Read poems from Little Dog and Duncan by Kristine O’Connell George (2000), illustrated by June Otani (ISBN 9780618117581). Have children write a poem about their own pet or one they want and then illustrate the poem.


Other books to share about mischievous dogs:

Bridwell, Norman. CLIFFORD, THE BIG RED DOG. ISN 059044297X or any of the books in the Clifford series

Hodge, Judith. SURPRISE PUPPY! ISBN 0789436248

Rylant, Cynthia. THE GREAT GRACIE CHASE. ISBN 0590100416

Wells, Rosemary. MCDUFF COMES HOME. ISBN 0786838337 or any of the books in the McDuff series

Zion, Gene. HARRY THE DIRTY DOG. ISBN 006443009X