Book Review: The Poky Little Puppy

 The Poky Little Puppy (Book Review) 

1. Bibliography. Lowrey, Jannette Sebring. 2001 (Hardcover re-release). Ill. Tenggren, Gustaf. New York City, NY. Little Golden Books, Penguin Random House. ISBN 978-0307021342.  

2. Plot/Summary. There are a family of puppies who love to explore. Everyday they escape the confines of the fenced in yard they call home, unbeknownst to their mother and owner. They explore, but it seems that one of their brethren is always falling behind and stopping to smell the metaphorical flowers. He is often the catalyst for the puppies realizing that it is time to return home for dinner and dessert, only to be scolded by their mother for digging under the fence, and to be sent off after dinner with no dessert. However, the poky little puppy, who always makes it home far later than everyone else, seems to usually end up with the dessert all to himself after everyone else has gone to bed. Each morning, a sign that becomes more emphasized is put up or replaced instructing the puppies that anyone who digs under the fence will be punished. The other puppies in this family unit finally wise up, decide to fill in the hole they’ve all been crawling under for the better part of a week, and then are praised by their mother and allowed to have their fair share of dessert that evening. The poky little puppy, who took his time exploring, returns after the sweet strawberry shortcake is gone and feels grumpy that he missed out.  

3. Critical Analysis. This book really fixates on the point that a lot of children struggle with, whether they are at a young age, or in middle school or high school. It’s the unimaginable thought to them that when a group of them make a choice to act on a behavior, and there is always that ONE friend/student/person that gets away with the behavior, seemingly without getting caught, and how frustrating that is for them. I think that it is great for a kid to get to see the four puppies finally decide to make the choice that their owner and mother are hoping for, and get rewarded for behaving appropriately. This, to a young mind, probably seems just and fair, and in an educator or parent’s mind probably feels like it reinforces a valuable life lesson to do what you know you should do, and show integrity. The repetitive nature of the wording was also a solid way of teaching in the days of Dr. Seuss and books like “Fun With Dick and Jane.”  

4. Review Excerpts/Awards 

Sold over 15 million copies 

(No excerpts on the little golden book, so reviews from Amazon were utilized instead) 

“Great story for both the young and the young at heart. This book describes me perfectly; I am the pokey little puppy!”- Michelle Anfuso 

5. Connections. While this classic has been reimagined for a new generation, most would consider this a clean fit with other books from this era like Clifford the Big Red Dog, Frog and Toad, Judy Blume and others. This would be a great discussion starter for beginning of the year in classrooms when expectations are being discussed about showing integrity, and learning from your mistakes.  

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