David Ezra Stein is the creator of many award-winning picture books, including Interrupting Chicken, which was awarded a Caldecott Honor, Because Amelia Smiled, and Dinosaur Kisses. He lives with his family in Kew Gardens, New York.
A sweet and funny role reversal... An ode to the transformative joy
of companionship.
--The New York Times Book Review
The typical pet picture book is turned on its ear in this witty
and charming story. ... Young readers will get a kick out of the
reversed human-pet roles, which are cheerfully and animatedly
illustrated in pen and "hacked" kids' marker and colored with
watercolor and crayon. The cartoonlike drawings perfectly
illuminate the life and attitudes of this canine character, from
his contented chewing on a slipper to his joyful, bowlegged run
during a game of fetch. Minimal text makes this a great read-aloud
for listeners with short attention spans, while the humor will
tickle older kids and grown-ups.
--School Library Journal (starred review) Stein's role reversal is
deliciously fun, and what makes it sing is the bulldog's confiding
tone, and the way Stein telegraphs a range of
emotions--exasperation, resignation, and pure joy--with a few bold
lines.
--Publishers Weekly (starred review) An independent dog teaches his
human a few tricks in this amusing role reversal. ... Appealing
pen, ink and watercolor illustrations, done in a primary pastel
palette, convey the dog's sassy, ultimately warm personality. The
artist's use of marker is reminiscent of a Chinese brush
painting--where each stroke skillfully conveys an energy or
intention about the character or setting. Fresh and lively, Stein
infuses each spread with spontaneity. A charming person-as-pet
story that will leave dog lovers chuckling.
--Kirkus Reviews Dog lover or not, this delightful picture book by
the author of Interrupting Chicken speaks to the most charming and
beloved dog behaviors and will delight any reader. Beautiful
watercolor illustrations enhance the charm of the text. Educators
will snap up this title that supports teaching point of view.
--Library Media Connection The popular viewpoint-reversal gag is
particularly amusing here, with some excellent silliness in the
dog's solitary habits ("When I look in the mirror, I lick my own
face because I am so happy to see me") and some genuine and funny
legitimacy in the dog's take on the situation. A fascinating
illustrative note explains the artwork, including the fact that a
marker was "hacked" to dispense India ink; the result is a
particularly childlike iteration of Stein's familiar vigor, with
big scrawled lines colored with cheerfully slapdash washes in sunny
and verdant outdoor hues. The round-headed, gray-spotted pup is
aggressively cute, with a bit of bulldoggish fang showing at times,
while the human he adopts is a wonderfully hapless grownup man with
a stuck-in-the-'70s vibe. ... An enjoyable and deftly crafted
joke.
--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "Who is the person in
this relationship and who is the pet?" Stein makes amusing,
adorable hay from this idea is this tale of an independent doggie
who doesn't need a person--well, not at first. ... Stein's pen,
marker, and watercolor figures are endearingly slapdash and exude
warmth; when the dog says, "I've grown attached to the little
fella," the duo's affection for each other is palpable. A fitting
celebration of opinionated pups everywhere.
--Booklist Stein's gestural watercolors are the perfect foil for
the droll text. As the story unfolds, young readers will begin to
understand the humorous tension between what the text says and what
the pictures show (and what they know to be true about dogs and
their owners). When the dog complains about having to "clean up
after them," one can imagine a child laughing at the scene of
spilled ice cream. Dog-loving parents will be reading this one over
and over--and will never tire of it.
--The Horn Book I'm My Own Dog, by David Ezra Stein gives readers a
comical peek into the life of man's best friend. Our protagonist is
a self-reliant canine who fetches his own slippers and can give
himself scratches, thankyouverymuch. But when a lonely human
follows him home, the dog has no choice but to fetch a leash to
lead the man around with.
--Parents Magazine Tablet A witty role-reversal tale... When he's
followed home by a wayward human, the precocious pet has to rethink
his misgivings about people ("you always have to clean up after
them") and discovers the joys of having a best bud.
--FamilyFun Do kids (and adults) need another dog book? The answer,
as any dog lover will tell you, is a resounding yes, especially
when the book is created by the talented David Ezra Stein... I'm My
Own Dog reminds us delightfully once again, dogs also make
excellent best friends.
--BookPage Online From Caldecott Honor winner, David Ezra Stein,
young readers will enjoy seeing life through the point of view of
the dog. ... The pen, marker and watercolor illustrations warmly
represent the relationship that is building between the two lovable
characters. ... This is a charming story that represents a point of
view not often considered in the pet and owner/master
relationship.
--Reading Today Online
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