I Am Not a Dog Toy - Hardcover

Berlin, Ethan T.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0593119010 ISBN 13: 9780593119013

Publisher: Random House Studio, 2021

Synopsis

A toy bear insists that he's a kid's toy--not a dog toy--in this story that shows that a true friendship is always one that goes in both directions.

A fun bear, who wears a vest with many pockets, is the brand new toy for a little girl. Bear couldn't be more excited to play with the girl, but she is a little less than enthused. In fact, she throws him into the dog's water bowl. Splash! Bear doesn't take the hint. Dog, however, is very excited to play with Bear. But Bear insists he is not a dog toy, he is a kid's toy. So he keeps trying to get the girl's attention... to no avail. Will Bear ever realize that Dog is the better friend?

Kids making friends will see that friendship isn't really friendship unless it's reciprocated in this hilarious and sweet picture book.

About this title

About the Author

Ethan T. Berlin is an Emmy Award-nominated television comedy writer, a producer, and a Junior Library Guild selected picture book author. He also teaches comedy writing at NYU and SUNY at Stony Brook.

Jared Chapman was born in Louisiana, grew up in Texas, went to college in Georgia, lived in Austin, and now lives with his family in the piney woods of northeast Texas. He is best known as the author-illustrator of the popular books Vegetables in Underwear and Fruits in Suits, and was also the illustrator for It's Not My Fault!
Illustrator Site: Jaredchapman.com

Reviews

PreS-Gr 2-At a birthday gathering with presents, a small stuffed brown bear (sporting a stylish vest full of pockets) announces himself to be the "most favorite toy ever" and subsequently finds himself casually tossed into the dog's water dish by the unimpressed birthday girl, shown with black hair and light brown skin. A variety of small and large images enhance the narrative with brightly colored digital scenes, as a patient and thoughtful big white dog presents a different viewpoint, promising to play with the bear and love him in his special dog way. But the bear refuses all offers of friendship, and repeatedly attempts to engage his kid. The dog insists he is "totally a dog toy" and proves it with a whirlwind of playful moves across the room. Seconds later, the girl callously drops the bear into the wedge of lost toys between her bed and the wall. It takes a heroic reach behind the bed to rescue the bear before he disappears with all the other mangled, useless toys. That's when the bear finally realizes that the one who wants to be his best friend (and appreciates his pocket vest) is the dog. A recommended general purchase for all libraries, this examination of a growing relationship from a viewpoint closer to the floor underscores what creates an important bond between friends. VERDICT Featuring one of the most thoughtless heroines seen in recent picture books, this sneakily adorable tale may offer readers a glimpse of their own behavior in their rushes to judgement over potential playmates and friends.-Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano I.S.D., TXα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Edition details

• Publisher: Random House Studio
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0593119010
• ISBN 13: 9780593119013
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Chapman Jared
• Number of pages: 40