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agudenburr's review against another edition
3.0
A very cute story about being yourself. The images and text was hard to read in this book for me. It would make a better one-on-one story to catch all the small details in the illustrations.
leslie_d's review against another edition
4.0
Told in rhyme, Odd Dog Out is a story of, well, an odd dog who decides maybe she’ll try to find a place where she will fit in. And she will…but there are very nice twists just the same.
It isn’t just that she’s looks odd against the uniformed crowds of uniformity. She approaches things differently, whether its flying, playing ball, or playing with the orchestra:
“It’s very sad
(cue violin),
but this small dog
does not fit in.”
Her long journey takes her to Doggywood where we’ll be quick to notice how well she will fit in. And she will, but someone else doesn’t. She feels empathetic, approaching the odd dog out to tell them they’re not alone, “I feel for you. I once was an outsider too.” This where an unexpected lesson comes in…and one of tremendous value. This dog doesn’t feel like an outsider. They just love standing out from the crowd. “Stand tall. Be proud.”
“That dog is right.
It’s plain to see
there’s nothing wrong
with being me.”
She returns home. And guess what?! The other dogs are glad she’s back! Scanning the pages were already amusing, but now there are little touches of difference to spy. The other dogs, missing their Odd Dog Out, made them appreciate difference. They’ve begun to look and act different in their own way.
I love that our Odd Dog Out didn’t have to really leave her home to find acceptance; that she could be herself where she is.
The words and illustrations are playful: ‘sad violin’; the sequence of dogs as swimmer, sailor, soldier, and scout; the yellow submarine; the different sports and modes of transportation. Biddulph sets up a culture of a place (that will feel familiar to older readers) and in doing so, it doesn’t criticize the masses for all looking alike. You can imagine them being comfortable, or that it makes sense to them. You can also imagine how our protagonist must feel; and then how much better she feels upon returning and seeing that her willingness to be herself inspired others to perhaps explore ideas of being different—all while being home. I mean, the punk dog is awesome. And the one that channels Coco Chanel?
The final double-spread of dogs are silly and fun, but do not miss that particularly sweet final page. Odd Dog Out is an entertaining story with an unexpectedly strong message of pride, love and community. It’s one you’ll not want to miss out one. Really, don’t be the odd one out this time and not read this picture book.
It isn’t just that she’s looks odd against the uniformed crowds of uniformity. She approaches things differently, whether its flying, playing ball, or playing with the orchestra:
“It’s very sad
(cue violin),
but this small dog
does not fit in.”
Her long journey takes her to Doggywood where we’ll be quick to notice how well she will fit in. And she will, but someone else doesn’t. She feels empathetic, approaching the odd dog out to tell them they’re not alone, “I feel for you. I once was an outsider too.” This where an unexpected lesson comes in…and one of tremendous value. This dog doesn’t feel like an outsider. They just love standing out from the crowd. “Stand tall. Be proud.”
“That dog is right.
It’s plain to see
there’s nothing wrong
with being me.”
She returns home. And guess what?! The other dogs are glad she’s back! Scanning the pages were already amusing, but now there are little touches of difference to spy. The other dogs, missing their Odd Dog Out, made them appreciate difference. They’ve begun to look and act different in their own way.
I love that our Odd Dog Out didn’t have to really leave her home to find acceptance; that she could be herself where she is.
The words and illustrations are playful: ‘sad violin’; the sequence of dogs as swimmer, sailor, soldier, and scout; the yellow submarine; the different sports and modes of transportation. Biddulph sets up a culture of a place (that will feel familiar to older readers) and in doing so, it doesn’t criticize the masses for all looking alike. You can imagine them being comfortable, or that it makes sense to them. You can also imagine how our protagonist must feel; and then how much better she feels upon returning and seeing that her willingness to be herself inspired others to perhaps explore ideas of being different—all while being home. I mean, the punk dog is awesome. And the one that channels Coco Chanel?
The final double-spread of dogs are silly and fun, but do not miss that particularly sweet final page. Odd Dog Out is an entertaining story with an unexpectedly strong message of pride, love and community. It’s one you’ll not want to miss out one. Really, don’t be the odd one out this time and not read this picture book.
backonthealex's review against another edition
5.0
On a busy city street, dachshunds are busy going about their day - some in business suits, others driving in cars, still more in stripped jersey's playing soccer. Turn the page and there are more dachshunds involved in more activities. What's the most noticeable thing about them? Members of each group look exactly alike. And then there is one who's different: "Someone on this/ busy street/ is dancing to a/ different beat." Dressed in colorful stripes, matching hat, and headphone she not only stands out, she also feels lonely and left out. So, she sets off looking for a place to belong. And finds Doggywood, where everyone looks just like her. Well, almost everyone: "Somebody this/ afternoon/ is whistling a/ different tune." But this is a dog who loves being different, and so should our Odd Dog, he tells her. Suddenly she realizes "That dog is right/ It's plain to see/ there's nothing wrong/ with being me." Odd Dog immediately heads home and is welcomed back with open arms - it seems she was missed in her absence. And best of all, they are all dancing to a different beat now. too. Teaching kids to have the courage to be who they are isn't an easy task in the face of some much pressure to conform. This is a book that tackles this problem head on even while distancing the issue by using dogs instead of kids and all done in catchy light verse, that harmonize perfectly with the brightly humorous illustrations. My kids love this book and we've read it many times over this last week. I suspect we'll be reading it many more times.
lupines's review against another edition
4.0
Light heartening book about comfortably being yourself. The illustration is bright and appealing. The rhyming is fun to read.
livthebooknerd's review against another edition
5.0
Such a sweet book about individuality and accepting yourself and your truth.
Thank you Harper Collins for the free copy.
Thank you Harper Collins for the free copy.
annsantori's review against another edition
Biddulph’s picture book tells the story of ‘Odd Dog’ — a dachshund who can’t seem to find a way to fit in where she lives and decides to travel to ‘Doggywood.’ No, this is not the doggy day-care facility at Dolly Parton’s famed theme park, Dollywood, which shares the same name, but a fictional version of Hollywood . . . where, to ‘Odd Dog”s surprise, she’ll find she might not actually enjoy being the same as everyone else.
The rich, saturated color of the illustrations and the way that Biddulph utilizes each inch of the page (including in several showstopping double-page spreads) is eye-catching enough to attract even very young toddlers. What’s more, since the subject is an adorable animal, the fact that these youngest readers obviously won’t quite grasp the message of celebrating individuality won’t prevent them from enjoying the story.
I am generally skeptical of a rhyming picture book because, often, the narrative suffers at the hands of forcing itself into the rhyme. In this respect, Odd Dog Out is no exception. Though it does scan well for reading aloud (despite breaking the rhyme structure several times throughout) and the rhyming doesn’t exactly harm the narrative as a whole, it doesn’t add any value either.
Overall, this book is a good addition to a library or personal collection and holds re-read value as well. Great fit for storytimes themed around: dogs; self-esteem/identity.
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The rich, saturated color of the illustrations and the way that Biddulph utilizes each inch of the page (including in several showstopping double-page spreads) is eye-catching enough to attract even very young toddlers. What’s more, since the subject is an adorable animal, the fact that these youngest readers obviously won’t quite grasp the message of celebrating individuality won’t prevent them from enjoying the story.
I am generally skeptical of a rhyming picture book because, often, the narrative suffers at the hands of forcing itself into the rhyme. In this respect, Odd Dog Out is no exception. Though it does scan well for reading aloud (despite breaking the rhyme structure several times throughout) and the rhyming doesn’t exactly harm the narrative as a whole, it doesn’t add any value either.
Overall, this book is a good addition to a library or personal collection and holds re-read value as well. Great fit for storytimes themed around: dogs; self-esteem/identity.
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
wordnerd153's review against another edition
4.0
Delightfully illustrated ode to being who you are without apology.
t2p's review against another edition
5.0
I love this bright and colorful book about standing out and still belonging. Also, makes for a perfect craft club book!
ellalouise99's review against another edition
5.0
A picture book about a dog who feels different to all the other dogs so moves away from their home to find others like her. She finds other dogs just like her but while she is there she notices the same thing that happened to her is happening to another dog who doesn’t seem to fit in. They talk and she realises its okay to stand out and be different and goes on to notice there are many dogs being themselves and not following the crowds. This passes an important message on to children reading the book that they do not need to be like everyone else to be able to fit in.
candywellins's review against another edition
5.0
Clever rhymes help tell the story of a dog who hates being different until she realizes different is pretty special.