Dog's Colorful Day: A Messy Story About Colors and Counting

Dog's Colorful Day: A Messy Story About Colors and Counting
written and illustrated by Emma Dodd. 2001. New York: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. 32 p. (0142500194)

Author/Illustrator Website: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Emma-Dodd/45978073

Media: pen and ink (colored digitally?)

Awards and Honors: none

Audience: Preschoolers

Annotation:
Dog is completely white with only one black spot on his ear, but after a very messy walk he ends up covered in colorful spots.

Personal Reaction:
This is a bouncy little counting and color concept book suited for toddlers and preschool aged children. Dodd's cheerful illustrations, paired with an uncomplicated storyline, make this book a winner for sharing with young children.

As Dog goes through his day with an adorably goofy expression on his face, he gets dirtier and dirtier, though he's blissfully unaware of the multiplying spots on his coat. Kids will love feeling like they know something Dog doesn't as another drop of ice cream or spot of paint splashes onto Dog. The forbidden excitement of mischief and messes and the onomatopoeic "squish" and "splurt" sounds that accompany Dog's new spots also draw kids into Dog's adventures.

By the end of the day, Dog goes home with 10 brightly colored spots on his coat, which are lovingly scrubbed off by his owner. Happy, but exhausted, Dog is left with only his own black dot as he climbs into his bed to dream of multicolored bones.

Props and Flannel Story:
I created a very simple flannel board story for this book- just Dog and 9 different spots in their respective colors. As I read the story, I add one spot at a time to Dog.