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mdevlin923's review against another edition
3.0
In this early chapter book, readers meet Oz (an abused and neglected puppy) and Patrick (a young boy who learns that his parents are splitting up). Together, they provide love and support for one another.
Have tissues handy.
Have tissues handy.
appaloosa05's review against another edition
3.0
My husband, who doesn't read a lot, picked up this book and read it from start to finish. He said he really liked the illustrations and I agree.
I thought it was a sweet little story, and one that a child could relate to.
I thought it was a sweet little story, and one that a child could relate to.
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Moving dog story for children.
I've loved The Art of Racing in the Rain, Andy Mulligan's Dog, multiple Morpurgo dog stories. They touch a nerve, the vulnerability and unceasing love of a dog for a human.
Colfer brings a sad tale that is ultimately reviving to a young audience, with some quite difficult detail early on (abused and maltreated dog) who gets a chance to recover with a loving owner.
Patrick is missing his dad, away working, but while he's not there, he gets the chance to own the dog his father is allergic to. And he chooses Oz, the puppy who won't bark for fear of what will happen to him.
Can Patrick help Oz find his voice? And can Oz help Patrick through his own family issues?
I loved the narration, an Irish voice making the cultural setting clear, portraying a young, eager but hurt puppy and a pre-pubescent boy with earnestness.
This is a short book, full of emotion, could be upsetting for sensitive readers. I'm considering whether I read it with my nearly 8-year-old, I may wait a little while.
For ages 7-10 ideally.
I've loved The Art of Racing in the Rain, Andy Mulligan's Dog, multiple Morpurgo dog stories. They touch a nerve, the vulnerability and unceasing love of a dog for a human.
Colfer brings a sad tale that is ultimately reviving to a young audience, with some quite difficult detail early on (abused and maltreated dog) who gets a chance to recover with a loving owner.
Patrick is missing his dad, away working, but while he's not there, he gets the chance to own the dog his father is allergic to. And he chooses Oz, the puppy who won't bark for fear of what will happen to him.
Can Patrick help Oz find his voice? And can Oz help Patrick through his own family issues?
I loved the narration, an Irish voice making the cultural setting clear, portraying a young, eager but hurt puppy and a pre-pubescent boy with earnestness.
This is a short book, full of emotion, could be upsetting for sensitive readers. I'm considering whether I read it with my nearly 8-year-old, I may wait a little while.
For ages 7-10 ideally.
keichler's review against another edition
3.0
I'm pretty convinced this book is the thing that made us get our dog, so I may always be thankful to it for that.
readerspeak's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful read-aloud. I could barely read through the tears at the end, and my daughter says, "Are you crying? You are. I am too. It's okay to cry now, right?" We loved the ending. We loved the style, how Oz saw the world, and the illustrations. They added so much. We wanted to lift Oz right off the pages and hug him. Loved it!
sara_hudson's review against another edition
3.0
Well, I wanted to like it more than I did. The illustrations are lovely, and this slim book gets a lot done in a limited number of pages. The author does a nice job of showing the puppy's reaction to abuse without being too graphic about that abuse.
alongreader's review
5.0
WHY DO I DO THIS TO MYSELF I KNEW THIS BOOK WOULD MAKE ME CRY AND I READ IT ANYWAY I AM IN WORK ARGLEBARGLE right. This is a beautiful story about a boy and a dog who help each other heal after some bad things. There's a touch of fantasy to it, but not enough to detract from the story. PJ Lynch's illustrations are, as always, fabulous and add just the right tone to the story. Buy it. In fact, buy one for you and one to give away, because you won't want to share it.
rkiladitis's review against another edition
4.0
A puppy is taken from his mother, purchased as a birthday gift for a cruel boy from his equally cruel parents. Abandoned at a dump, wrapped in linoleum tile, he is rescued, and chosen by another boy - a boy named Patrick. But Oz, as Patrick names the pup, is afraid of humans. He's never met a kind one, and he doesn't want to be hurt again. Patrick, ever patient, sits with Oz, talks to Oz, and waits for Oz to warm up to him. But Patrick's life is about to undergo upheaval, too: his parents are splitting up... is it because his father is allergic to dogs? Patrick swears that he will make the painful sacrifice and send Oz back to the shelter if it means having his father back home.
The Dog Who Lost His Bark is a sensitive, sometimes painful, ultimately soothing story about trust, betrayal, and family. Eoin Colfer creates wonderfully memorable characters, both canine and human, and PJ Lynch's black and white illustrations give them form. Oz's playful innocence is so harshly broken by his first family that it becomes painful; Lynch's illustrations give us a sweet dog that just wants to be loved, but is terrified of opening himself up to that possibility ever again. It's all there, right on the cover image. Illustrations introducing us to Patrick, the boy who adopts Oz, give us a sensitive boy who wants to reach his pup.
The Dog Who Lost His Bark reads like classic kidlit. I'll be recommending this one along with my EB White favorites and Kate DiCamillo's books, for sure. Beautifully written, wonderfully illustrated, and an absolute must for your reading lists next year, educators. The Candlewick website offers a free, downloadable discussion guide.
The Dog Who Lost His Bark is a sensitive, sometimes painful, ultimately soothing story about trust, betrayal, and family. Eoin Colfer creates wonderfully memorable characters, both canine and human, and PJ Lynch's black and white illustrations give them form. Oz's playful innocence is so harshly broken by his first family that it becomes painful; Lynch's illustrations give us a sweet dog that just wants to be loved, but is terrified of opening himself up to that possibility ever again. It's all there, right on the cover image. Illustrations introducing us to Patrick, the boy who adopts Oz, give us a sensitive boy who wants to reach his pup.
The Dog Who Lost His Bark reads like classic kidlit. I'll be recommending this one along with my EB White favorites and Kate DiCamillo's books, for sure. Beautifully written, wonderfully illustrated, and an absolute must for your reading lists next year, educators. The Candlewick website offers a free, downloadable discussion guide.
mblair8506's review against another edition
5.0
This is a book of true love and longing. Oz and Patrick need each other to make their lives complete. The feelings that come through in the pictures as well are just beautiful. This is a perfect book for those looking for a story of love and what makes our lives complete.