The Basics

Title: Big Dog and Little Dog
Author: Dav Pilkey
ISBN: 9780544430709
Copyright Date: 1997 (Text), 2015
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Reader Brand: Green Light Readers
Level: Level 1
Series: Big Dog and Little Dog (Big Dog and Little Dog Going for a Walk, Big Dog and Little Dog Getting in Trouble (releases on 10/13/15), Big Dog and Little Dog Wearing Sweaters (releases on 10/13/15))

Thoughts

Big Dog and Little Dog are feeling hungry and tired — those are easy problems to fix. But what about when Big Dog starts to feel lonely? What will he do?

I love that these dogs are being reissued as readers. Originally released as picture books between 1997-2003, our library’s one remaining copy of “The Complete Adventures of Big Dog and Little Dog” is in sorry shape. This simple story and repetitive vocabulary have always been great choices for children learning to read and it makes sense to issue beginning reader editions. This release also includes supplemental material: matching game, dog facts, story sequencing, and noun/verb definitions.

As always, Green Light Readers makes it easy for parents to find books by providing information on the back of the book regarding level. This book is recommended for ages 4-6, grade K, guided reading level D, reading recovery level 5-6, and Lexile level 240L.

Highly recommended for libraries needing to build those low-level beginning readers, libraries who have large populations of dog-lovers, and libraries looking for a great beginning reader series.

[Bonus? My nephew LOVED when I read the book to him. He was enthralled and then immediately turned his head when I went to take this picture.]