I Got Two Dogs: (Book and CD) [With CD]

A delightful book. My grandson loved the book and the accompanying CD. I must confess that while I am an adult I too enjoyed the book and CD . A great combo for a youngster and a wonderful way to spend time with a child. It's a winner

Me: I review children's books for several review journals & have for ten years. I was on the Newbery committee a few years back & I'm a librarian. I've also liked all of Mr. Lithgow's picture books...but I think this is my favorite. I'm a cat person, but I have nothing against puppies...I've had a couple in the past, but I sure would love to have two dogs like Fanny and Blue! They're loving and enthusiastic--well, just plain ol' good dogs. The accompanying CD is a big plus (as always with Lithgow's books). To hear him "read" the book is perfect modeling for storytime. So whether you're a "professional" or a parent or just a doggie-fan, this is a winner. They (the publishers) usually find a good match illustrator-wise & this is a perfect pairing Neubecker's thick-line bouncey illustrations just dance along with the rhythmic text. Buy two, one for yourself and one for your library :-)

Oh my goodness! This has to be the cutest book and song I have ever read and listened to! As an owner of two dogs who are more like family members than pets, I can relate to the antics of John Lithgow's two dogs as well as the love he has for them. His accompanying song is so cute and bouncy! I think any toddler would love to flip through this book and listen to the song over and over again, and for the parents, the song is cute without being obnoxious. I'm so pleased with this book, I now know what I'll be buying for all my nieces for Christmas this year, and I'll definitely be looking into other children's books by John Lithgow for future Christmases and birthdays! Who knew such a funny guy could write such great books for kids? My nieces and I have definitely been missing out!

"I Got Two Dogs" is the latest children's book by John Lithgow, a Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor, as well as a singer-songwriter-performer. His other children's books include Marsupial Sue, I'm a Manatee, Micawber and others. This latest from Lithgow is a fun read as the book comes with a CD that is basically a sing-along accompaniment to the text. The story itself is based on Lithgow's own two dogs and is one that will appeal to all children, especially the target group of babies-preschool-aged kids. It's about two dogs, Fanny and Blue - one's all white, the other is gray, one's a girl and the other is a boy...their antics are portrayed so well in the illustrations by Robert Neubecker and each illustration will have you and your little one laughing out loud at the dog's antics. There is humor throughout and when you play the CD as you read and sing-along to the text, the rhythm will have you tapping your feet and even clapping your hands. I have a 3.5 year-old daughter and though we don't own any dogs, she found the book very entertaining, and especially loved singing along to the CD whilst perusing the pictures. This is an ideal book for teaching early literacy skills to young children, especially babies, toddlers and preschoolers - the text provides a wonderful read-aloud and singing opportunity, and the rich, full-color illustrations will have little ones in stitches whilst encouraging active discussions on what the pictures convey. Highly recommended!

This hardcover book and accompanying CD for infants through First Graders will surely entertain the little ones, and find parents singing along with the lilting interpretative reading by famed actor John Lithgow. Fanny and Blue are two great dogs, well loved, even if not well behaved, or very smart. However, as the lively rhythm of the words is read or listened to, youngsters will delight in the story and the rhythm of it all. While Blue is "kind of gray" and Fanny is "all white", their loyalty and mischievousness is very evident in the story. Fanny and Blue like to chase the cat and make a mess of their owner's things but find great comfort in cuddling up at night right ON TOP of their master! But one big loving lick makes their master forgive and love Fanny and Blue even more. The pet owner's devotion to the two animals is one that will teach little ones about what is important about having a pet while also entertaining them. The repetitions of the sounds in the refrain are something that little children will delight in. Author John Lithgow based the story on his own two dogs and his story is energetic while delightful, rhythmic while comical. Lithgow's audio is a brilliant, enthusiastic interpretation of the story and is accompanied by a supporting chorus and instruments like the flute that combine to add to the catchy rhythmic tune. The delightful illustrations by Robert Neubecker look hand painted but I believe are digitally rendered and depict the story with broad and colorful strokes. The illustrations will capture every child with the pulsating colors and make this a great read-along book for children. Whether read to, with, or listened to, this is a fantastic book/CD for every child's collection! Submitted by Karen Haney for VINE to Curled Up with a Good Book for Kids, October, 2008