Pugdog

One look at the expressive, drooling Pugdog on the cover and you know you're in for a fun doggy romp. Pugdog's silly owner Mike thought his new dog was a boy. When Mike learns Pugdog is actually a girl, he begins to pamper the rough-and-tumble pup in a way he thinks female dogs should be treated. The doggie salon. Poofy, dainty outfits. A calm walk. None of this is much fun to Pugdog, who longs for a knucklebone and a deep belly scratch once again. Digging holes and chasing squirrels is her nature. Bubble baths are not. My daughter finds it hilarious that an adult doesn't know how to tell the difference between male and female dogs. A child is delighted whenever they can be smarter than an adult. Mom and Dad should set their disbelief over Mike aside and enjoy the story his mistake sets in motion. Silly Mike later admires a fluffy, groomed poodle, which U'Ren illustrates in a whimsical prance, with an identical fluffy, white-haired owner trailing behind. Mike assumes the poodle is a she, but he soon learns that he's got it all wrong. This book provides a simple message about gender roles. Being a girl or a boy doesn't dictate how you should act or the things you should like. You should just be yourself, even if that means drooling while you get a deep belly scratch, just like Pugdog. In the end, Mike learns a big lesson and Pugdog gets all muddy and happy again. My daughter loves this book for its playfulness and the comical gender mix-up. U'Ren's illustrations are so expressive, she draws Pugdog with far more realism and personality than her owner, Mike. Which is probably just as it should be, since Pugdog is the rightful star of this tale.

I like Pugdog because of the pictures. They were funny and cute. My favorite was when she is wearing the outfit that is binding her in all the wrong places. The pictures look like they could tell the story themselves. Pugdog showed me that it's okay to be a tomboy.

Pugdog is incredibly charming, beautifully illustrated, and very educational for children on gender identification. While some may fret over the accuracy of the author's illustrations of a technically correct Pug, I found the story to be perfect in its true aim: dispelling gender stereotypes and providing both parent and child with a funny and entertaining story. My own Pug (an relentless drooler by the way) has found sudden attention from my nephew, who will no doubt never be troubled by issues of gender in his life.All who read this story, both young and old, will be won over by Pugdog's charm. I applaud the author for her beautiful artwork and wonderful story.

This book offers the ultimate child-parent reading experience. _Pugdog_ is about dogs and people and how we tend to treat pets from a perspective that is based on and limited to our preconceived ideas and stereotypes. The book teaches wonderful lessons about individualism and love. --Subjects that kids get immediately. I've read it to my niece and nephew countless times and they absolutely adore the book. I've had to buy them each a copy to keep them happy. What's better is that I enjoy it every time I read it because it's so smart and funny. The illustrations are fabulous and hilarious. This is wonderful for young school aged children (ages 6-7) and older school age children (10-12).

I love this book, and so does my little boy. He loves the colorful and funny illustrations of the ever slobbering Pugdog. This book has a great twist and a great message for everyone, of any age.