Spike - Hardcover

Bogan, Paulette

3.53

17 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0399231633 ISBN 13: 9780399231636

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile, 1998

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Spike, the dog, has had enough playing Frisbee and sets off to begin a new life as a different animal, but after trying to be a horse, a chicken, a bird, and a fish, he realizes that he is happiest as a dog and so returns home.

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From Publishers Weekly:

Bogan's debut be-yourself animal story, illustrated in a naive style, holds no surprises. Spike, a spotted canine, finds doghood dull. He plays at being a horse, but cannot carry a rider. He tries to act like a chicken, but crushes a nestful of eggs?to unlikely cackles of amusement from the hens. Oddly, readers witness only the unfortunate results of Spike's experiments. For instance, Spike stands at a pond watching Jeffrey the fish, who can "dive really deep. 'Splish, splash,' went Jeffrey./ 'Brrr,' whined Spike. He felt wet and cold./ 'I'm not a very good fish.' " Bogan describes neither Spike's wade into the water nor his swim. Her wavery pen-and-ink drawings show him dry, then dripping; the scenes are set against simple watercolor washes of blue (water) and evergreen (grass). Predictably, Spike's identity crisis is resolved when his loving owner tells him, " 'You're a very good dog.'/ 'Woof, woof,' barked Spike./ 'That's just what I am!' " The mechanical text and artless images present a most familiar plot in a most pedestrian manner. Ages 2-6.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews:

Bogan's first picture book features a dog attempting to ditch his canine inclinations before discovering that being a dog is actually what he does best. Spike thinks other animals have it good, compared to dogs, so when he runs away he tries to change himself. Being a horse doesn't work; he collapses with a rider on his back. Climbing trees and sitting on eggs is definitely for the birds, and the watery world of fish leaves Spike cold and shivery. Sad and dejected Spike heads home, only to discover a cold nose and a wet tongue are just right for comforting his owner, Shannon, who has missed him. Amiable illustrations with strong lines and an expressive Spike pick up on all his ineptitudes and add mightily to the fun. (Picture book. 2-6) -- Copyright �1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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