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Children's Fiction Pets

A Dog Day for Susan

by (author) Maureen Fergus

illustrated by Monica Arnaldo

Publisher
Owlkids Books Inc.
Initial publish date
Nov 2016
Category
Pets, Humorous Stories, Manners & Etiquette, Dogs
Recommended Age
4 to 7
Recommended Grade
p to 2
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781771472708
    Publish Date
    Nov 2016
    List Price
    $9.99

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

Spencer and his family are expecting a visit from Great-Aunt Alice and her dog, Susan. All Spencer knows is that she’s dignified and graceful, with long, beautiful hair — the dog, that is. Spencer and his own pup, Barney, are excited to have another dog to play with and decide to give her a chance. But it soon becomes clear that Susan is no regular dog. She eats cake off a china plate, takes scheduled naps, and needs an umbrella held over her in the rain.

Spencer and Barney decide to teach Susan how to be a real dog. With Barney as a role model, they take her to the off-leash dog park to develop skills like barking at buses, cyclists and squirrels, eating garbage, resisting grooming, and refusing to come when she’s called. Susan returns from the park covered in burrs, having shed her dignity and grace enough to fully embrace her inner dog. Mixed-media illustrations support the humorous text in this story about embracing who you are.

About the authors

 

Maureen Fergus est auteure lauréate de plusieurs livres pour enfants et jeunes adultes, dont The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten, Et si je ne veux pas? et les livres de la série Buddy and Earl. Elle vit à Winnipeg, au Manitoba.

 

Maureen Fergus is an award-winning author of books for children and young adults, including The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten and the Buddy and Earl series of books. She lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Mike Lowery has illustrated many books for children, including The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten and A Squiggly Story. Mike lives in Decatur, Georgia.

 

Maureen Fergus' profile page

MONICA ARNALDO a écrit et illustré plusieurs albums comme Petits frères et petites soeurs, Time for Bed’s Story et Margo Thinks Twice. Son travail se retrouve aussi dans des romans pour les élèves du cycle intermédiaire et des magazines pour enfants. Elle a étudié l’illustration au Sheridan College, où elle a trouvé sa passion pour les récits illustrés. Elle vit avec sa famille près de Montréal, au Québec.

 

Monica Arnaldo grew up in Ottawa where she was sometimes allowed inside her older brother's forts. Drawn to illustration by her passion for children's books, she combines a variety of media to create images full of character. Monica is the author-illustrator of three picture books. She and her husband live in Montreal with their daughter.

Monica Arnaldo's profile page

Awards

  • Unknown, Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids and Teens
  • Unknown, Nominated for the McNally Robinson Book for Young People Awards, Manitoba Book Awards
  • Unknown, Ontario Library Association 2016 Honourable Mention

Editorial Reviews

"Entertaining... You don't have to be a dog lover to enjoy this book." — School Library Journal

"I love this book because I have a dog at home and I think of all the silly, crazy things she does... I think other kids will love A Dog Day for Susan, especially if they love their pet dogs."

Jewel, Age 8, Kids Book Buzz

"Expressive illustrations, especially the dogs' faces, will delight readers... There's no such things as too many dog books--add this one to the pack. Recommended."

School Library Connection

"A Dog Day for Susan has loads of personality and is doggone fun to read aloud."

The National Reading Campaign

"Fergus brilliantly weaves in an interesting vocabulary... The soft lines and well-thought-out detail of Arnaldo's accompanying art creates a charming package. Recommended."

Canadian Review of Materials

"Opposing personalities are entertainingly juxtaposed...undeniably enjoyable." — Quill & Quire

"Action is strongly portrayed in Arnaldo's mixed-media drawings, which show personalities, activities, and characters--the dogs are especially well-done." — Kirkus

Other titles by Maureen Fergus

Other titles by Monica Arnaldo

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