(Susanna Leonard Hill is the originator of PPBF and you can find all the other PPB recommendations and links on her blog.)
We are surviving the cold here in Michigan..It’s actually warmed up to 14 degrees! This is definitely the perfect time to grab some good books, a warm afghan, a friendly cat, and maybe a dog or two to lay on your lap (or is it lie? I always have to look it up). Anyway, I remember once when I had a bout of the flu I just couldn’t get warm. My hubby had piled on the quilts and afghans to no avail. My shivering was keeping him awake. Finally he called our choc. lab up on the bed next to me. That did it. Her body heat warmed me up and let me sleep.
So why am I talking about Dogs….on the bed…..? It’s my perfect picture book choice this week! My grand-reviewers were all involved in reviewing this one – even their beagle who’s been featured here before. (He gave it a 4 paws up.)
Title: Dogs On The Bed
Author: Elizabeth Bluemle
Illustrator: Anne Wilsdorf
Publisher: Candlewick Press 2008
Genre: Picture Book
Audience Age: 4+ (But even the 2 1/2 yr. old was captivated)
Themes/Topics: Dogs/Family
Opening Sentences: There are dogs on the bed/Like hogs on the bed/Bed hogs on the bed/These dogs, these dogs! Sideways on the bed/Dog maze on the bed/Paws grazing on the bed/These dogs, these dogs!
Synopsis: This story is artfully and delightfully crafted in rhyme as a family of four (mom/dad and brother and sister) wrestle with six pooches of varying size trying to spend the night in the family bed.
Why I like it: It made us laugh! If you’ve ever owned a dog you’ll see it somewhere in these pages. From scratching to stretching to snoring and 
drooling, whining or howling and pushing you out from your own warm, cozy spot these canines take over the mattress. Dad tries to oust them, to which they use the midnight howl to get outside only to want in 3 minutes later. The family tries to share the bed and winds up on the floor “cuddling the ottoman.” They finally realize the value of their ‘portable heaters,’ rearrange sleeping accommodations and settle down. My grandchildren loved the canine rhyme. There is a change up in the rhythm to alter the action and then it returns to the original beat. Their favorite line was “They go on the prowl/they bark and they growl/night sounds make them howl…to which they added sound effects. There are brown dogs, black dogs, small dogs, hairy dogs, white dogs and short dogs–we only counted six, but it seemed like more as they romped around. Ms. Wilsdorf’s watercolors are whimsical and funny. Be sure to notice the background dog portraits for an extra grin. One caveat: this isn’t a ‘going to sleep book’ unless you read several more after to settle the kids back down.
Activities/Resources: A MARVELOUS teacher’s guide is on the author’s website. Everything from charting rhyming words, to Venn diagrams to having a stuffed animal day.
Availability: Readily available. Amazon, Barnes and Noble.
Blessings on your day and enjoy the book!!
Laura (Grandmamiller)
This looks awesome, Laura! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Kim, and thanks for stopping.
Your grand-dog looks like he isn’t enjoying the book.
hee-hee – I think it was the camera – his mom once took a photo of him when he was a ‘bad’ dog.
Love the recommendation! Kids and dogs, the perfect combination. (btw that beagle looks huge!)
of course he’s huge-he gets to clean up after 3 children. He’s always under the table waiting for fallout. 🙂
That teacher’s guide is awesome! This book makes me want to snuggle up with a warm pooch on the bed – what fun!
I find it amusing in the book that the family is reading a book about a cat.
Great choice! I know from experience that even the tiniest little single dog can be a bed hog! Shove over, Cupcake!!!
Better not let Cupcake read this – she might get ideas!
How fun! Kids will love this. I will add it to my library list.
Thanks for stopping, Penny.
Well you’ve certainly picked a book that’s right up my alley, Laura! Dogs on the bed? What’s not to love 🙂 This sounds delightful! And given that we’re having the same weather you are, dogs on the bed are a good idea! Also, your grandkids are SO cute! 🙂
Thanks, Susanna. Something’s got to keep us warm. But with the 2 other ‘snowy day’ related books I feel guilty for staying inside.
I love the rhyming scheme in this and I am definitely going to read it to my dog but only if the outcome is the dog not sleeping on the bed lol :0)
Uhhhh…better not read it to your dog then.
:0)
I’m always at the stories right infront of us that if we thought aboutit, would make a fun read! This is one of them! Who hasn’t dealt with a dog on the bed. Fortunately, we trained our latest dog to sleep on his own bed in our bedroom. He doesn’t even like being on the bed. Hoorah! Great choice!
Thanks, Patricia. I agree, cat yes, dog no.
This looks way too cute! Thanks so much for the recommendation!
You’re welcome, Amy
I feel like I could write a companion book — Cats on the Bed. (Or maybe, Cats on My Chair.) I actually checked this book out about a month ago from the library, so I can attest that it is adorable.
Let’s see…..Cats on the bed/Cats on the chair/Cat hair, cat hair, EVERYWHERE! Well, that’s the limit of my rhyming capability. 🙂
Love the beagles expression in your photo too!
poor beagle-he does not like the flash on the camera – I even had the flash turned off. He came slinking off and we had to keep baiting him back.
aw!
Sounds like a fun loving book. We used to have a dog and he slept with my oldest son. My son hardly had room to sleep.
We have some friends with a yellow lab. They went out and bought a king size bed so the dog would have more room – or them- I’m not sure which.
Sounds like a riot of a book! I agree with Carrie…we need a companion book about cats.
Jarm, here’s what I’ve written so far based on Carrie’s suggestion….Cats on the bed/Cats on the chair/Cat hair, cat hair, EVERYWHERE! Well, that’s the limit of my rhyming capability.
This looks like the perfect, snuggly bedtime book, as long as you don’t end up on the floor. 🙂
RIGHT! I ‘ll make sure it’s my husband who falls off! 😀
This looks a fun read and I would not hesitate in taking it off the shelf. I love dogs and cats and have had one of each, myself. But I believed in teaching them the rules of the house. Yes even the cat. No bedrooms. Dog and cat beg for their dinner. Dog waits patiently while cat finishes her meal then and only then the dog starts his and finishes anything the cat has left…lol. I know, I should do a blog post on them. They grew up together, slept together even went for rides in the car and walks together, and loved each other immensely. Sadly both have passed away. I still love your choice of book.. 🙂
Diane, they do become part of our world. Our cat will meow to let us know the dog wants in.
Exactly my kind of book!!!!!! Excellent choice! I will have to check this one out and compare it to our bedtime arrangements. Candlewick Press always has such fabulous books! Thanks for sharing this one.
Rhythm, I knew you would like this book. The beagle sends his best regards!
And a big tail wag to the Beagle!
Looks like a fabulous book. I am feeling nostalgic for the years that my bed was full of young children and large dog.
Ahhh.warm cuddly memories!
I’ve know a few dogs to cause chaos at nighttime. Looks like a fun afternoon book. That’s a great tip that it can get the kiddos worked up before bed.