When I first started teaching first grade, a few things quickly became clear. 1) Many children come to first grade reading having memorized Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (Thank you moms, dads and kindergarten teachers everywhere) and 2) The very first thing that they could actually read all by themselves was Hot Dog. I had two copies of it and both were falling apart. I swear they were largely made up of packing tape by the end because they were so beloved I would do anything to hold them together. I cannot tell you the number of small people who sat by my side painstakingly pointing to each word in this book sounding out, checking the pictures, listening for rhymes until they’d made it through each and every page; their smiles growing wide and proud as they realized that they’d actually read a book all by themselves. For that magical power, being the key that unlocked learning for so many little ones I’ve loved, Hot Dog holds a very special place in my heart.
Also, this is the ultimate book for the dog days of summer as the poor dachshund seeks relief from heat. I feel for you dachshund, I really do.
NB: Hot Dog is mysteriously easier than most books labeled STEP INTO READING: 1. Don’t assume everything at that level is the same. Also, the copy I got from the library was about 4 pages longer than the one I used to own, containing some pages I’ve never seen. They make the book a teensy bit harder, but not much.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – Mom is dressed in a bikini top and matching shorts, so her stomach is bare. Girl is in a bikini as well, but top extends down lower than mom’s.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – Cat claws at dog when dog tries to come in the barn. Dog gets a bit squished by a pig.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – None.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the theme this month!! (and I also love the fact that you won’t let the dogs die; why do people do that? It can scar children, you know….)