Welcome to metomi.com, your online source of great reads and activities for children! We are reading children's books about dogs, dogs and more dogs! A tribute to a cherished companion for many people, we read about dogs at their silliest, smartest and warmest! Yes, we also enjoy Blue's Clues, but here's an opportunity to read about some dogs (and their loyal authors and illustrators :) ) who deserve a bit of the spotlight too. Join us as we read timeless greats like Harry the Dog, empathize with one particularly grumpy dog, and revel in the sweetness that is The Stray Dog. Happy Reading! And if you're interested in more great children's books, please visit our Children's Library!
Title: Harry The Dirty Dog
Author: Gene Zion
Illustrator: Margaret Bloy Graham
A children's classic that we recently picked up from the library, but fondly recall reading when we were young. Harry is a dog who doesn't like baths (reminds us of some kids we know ;) ). We follow the ingenious dog as he buries the bath brush - the prerequisite bath item - in the backyard, then scurries off to town for some adventures. He gets dirtier and dirtier until he is no longer recognizable by his owners! A frantic few moments culminate in a happy ending as Harry figures out just how to convince them that he is their Harry. First published in 1956, we enjoy the illustrations that take us back to a simpler time. We look forward to reading other children's books about Harry!
Title: The Stray Dog
Author/Illustrator: Marc Simont
Our kids like this children's story very much. Short, simple and sweet. Readers are introduced to a family out on a camping weekend, who encounter a stray dog on the campground. The children warm to the dog immediately, playing with him all weekend. However, convinced that the dog has an owner, the children reluctantly leave him behind and return to their home in the city. Doubt sets in once the family is home, that perhaps the dog is a stray and that he is still all alone in the park. Each family member reflects on this as the week progresses, until they return to the campground at week's end. They are overjoyed when the stray reappears, only the circumstances are far more tense as a dog catcher is now on the scene. This time around, the children make sure the stray comes home with them. The illustrations play the main storytelling role brilliantly, with just enough text to complement.
Title: Hairy Maclary's Bone
Author/Illustrator: Lynley Dodd
This children's book is another oldie but goodie. The tale of a terrier from New Zealand author Lynley Dodd appeals with its catchy and whimsical dog names and playful illustrations. This is just one book in a series and we are currently reading several of them. If you start with the first children's book in the series (Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy) you will get a proper introduction to Hairy and his merry mates - but skipping to this book first will not detract from the enjoyment of the story. Hairy simply has a delicious treat from the butcher shop and needs to find clever ways to prevent his comrades from sharing it (yes, sharing is good, but just check out the treat!). The text makes us laugh and our daughter asked for numerous encores immediately after the first reading. Enjoy this as well as the other children's books in the series!
Title: Officer Buckle And Gloria
Author/Illustrator: Peggy Rathmann
The illustrations in this children's book make us laugh! In this story, Officer Buckle is a police officer with a ton of safety tips to share with schoolchildren...but who needs a wee bit of help when it comes to delivering the message in a captivating way! No worries...Gloria the police dog arrives to lend him a hand (or rather, paw!)). Her antics - performed while Officer Buckle is looking away - have the schoolchildren attentive and laughing...and Officer Buckle's talks become the talk of the town! However, when Officer Buckle finds out what Gloria has been doing, he gets upset and opts out of the talks altogether. A happy ending follows however, as everyone, including Officer Buckle, discovers the value of working as a team. A wonderful story for children with lots of good safety tips on the side!
Title: Grumpy Gloria
Author/Illustrator: Anna Dewdney
Grumpy Gloria was a recent gift from our daughter's teachers - we enjoyed the sweetness of this children's story and the utterly grumpy illustrations! The reader meets a bulldog named Gloria who is feeling just a wee bit jealous of the new doll in the house who is consuming all of her little girl's time and affection. Gloria sulks about despite attempts by the other siblings in the house to cheer her up...until a fortunate mishap resolves the issue and makes Gloria realize that affection can be expansive and encompassing. Children will probably empathize with Gloria as they may occasionally find themselves vying for their parents' time ;)
Title: The King's Taster
Author: Kenneth Oppel
Illustrator: Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher
This book tells a delightful story about a food-tasting dog who works for the King. The dog loves his job mainly because the food is so varied and delicious. This very intelligent creature also happens to be owned by the cook who creates all these wonderful dishes, a perfect relationship. All is fine in their world until a new King arrives. Not a grown-up King, but a child King. Mysteriously this child King dislikes every one of these delicious meals, and the cook and his dog are left scratching their heads, wondering why. When they discover the child King's love of candies and cookies, the cook and his dog figure out how to resolve the problem, and all is well again. Beautiful artwork and a refreshingly smart and different story makes it a favourite encore read for an older preschool child or early primary school child. Our daughter read this as part of a primary reading club and enjoyed the book very much!
