Children's Picture Books

Dogs on the Bed

By: Elizabeth Bluemle
Illustrated by: Anne Wilsdorf
Publisher: Candlewick
Publication Date: October 2008
ISBN: 978-0763626082
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: January 2010

A mother was getting ready to read a bedtime story to her children. There was a picture of a cat on the front of the book and the book promised to be a good one. The only problem was their six dogs who were romping their way around the house. By the time everyone reached Mom's bedroom…

"There are dogs on the bed
Like logs on the bed
Bed hogs on the bed --
These dogs, these dogs!"

The dogs were all over the place and with a little bit of squeezing and a little bit of pushing (the dogs off the bed that is) they were ready for a bedtime story. Some were pushed off, but they quickly bounded back onto the bed to share in the fun. Mom had to turn the book this way and that because the dogs wanted to look at the pictures too. Daddy came to "give'em all the old heave-ho!" Was anyone going to be able to listen to the story or even get some sleep with that interfering passel of dogs?

This is a book any dog lover will adore from the first sentence to the last. I cracked a smile as soon as I read the first stanza and didn't stop until I put down the book. The book is, as the introduction says, a "rollicking, rhyming romp." The rhyming scheme didn't miss a beat and the hopping bopping passel of six dogs were exquisitely entertaining. The artwork brought just the right lively touch to the tale.

Quill says: If you have a singsong voice, this delightful tale would be much appreciated during circle or story time!