Dogs on the Bed

"Dogs on the Bed," by Elizabeth Bluemle, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf. (Candlewick). Anyone who sleeps with dogs will recognize themselves and their pack in this comical book. This nice family has two children and six dogs, all wanting to share the parents' bed. First it's story time, then Daddy gives them the old heave-ho. But a dog banished from bed only stays gone for a few moments. One by one, the dogs creep back until they finally nudge the family completely out of bed. A reorganization is called for, with four dogs in the big bed, and one dog each in the kids' beds. Is it worth all that trouble to sleep with dogs? "As portable heat, they just can't be beat," (a fact worth remembering on these cold January nights). The watercolor illustrations bubble over with the frenzied energy of dogs finding their place of comfort at bedtime. Connie Goldsmith, Children's Book Review for California Kids, a Sacramento regional parenting publication

A mother was getting ready to read a bedtime story to her boy and girl. There was a picture of a cat on the front of the book and it was sure to be a good one. The only problem was their six dogs who were romping their way around the house. By the time everyone reached Mom's bedroom there they all were . . . "There are dogs on the bed Like logs on the bed Bed hogs on the bed -- These dogs, these dogs!" They were all over the place and with a little bit of squeezing and a little bit of pushing (the dogs off the bed that is) they were ready for a bedtime story. Some were pushed off, but they quickly bounded back onto the bed to share in the fun. Mom had to turn the book this way and that because the dogs wanted to look at the pictures too. Daddy came to "give'em all the old heave-ho!" Was anyone going to be able to listen to the story or even get some sleep with that interfering passel of dogs? This is a book any dog lover will adore from the first sentence to the last. I cracked a smile as soon as I read the first stanza and didn't stop until I put down the book. The book is, as the introduction says, a "rollicking, rhyming romp." The rhyming scheme didn't miss a beat and the hopping bopping passel of six dogs were exquisitely entertaining. The artwork was brought just the right lively touch to the tale. If you have a sing song voice, this delightful tale would be much appreciated during circle or story time!

My 2.5 year old son adores this book and has done for a good 6 months now. I think it's the combination of the pictures and rhyming story that appeals most. However, the subject of multiple dogs certainly adds to his amusement. I think it will be a favorite for a long time to come. I highly recommend it.

Picked this book up at the library for my 19 month old son who loves dogs, and its now one of his favorites. I've made up a tune to read it to, because it's such a rhythmic story it's almost march-like. He claps along with the rhymes. We slow it down and point out different things in the pictures like the clock on the wall, the coffee mug that daddy is carrying and the cat on the book that mom is reading to the kids. I've now added it to his wish-list so that we can keep it around permanantly!