This graphic novel was hilarious and well-drawn, definitely worth the money and the hype, and I hope will be successful!

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I think kids will identify well with the main character. A good lesson about taking responsibility. A good starter chapter book.

My Dog Made Me Write This Book by Elizabeth Fensham is a fun story. It is an 160-page book and you’d think a quick read. It felt slow to me as I really didn’t get into this book, but as children’s fiction the intended reader of late elementary to middle school age could take it and really get reading with joy. Eric adds a dog to his family and expects it to become his best friend. This does not happen and the dog has others in mind for his new friends. Why doesn’t he like him? Nothing he does helps. It is a book of misadventures with this puppy. Besides this dog needs soo much training. The illustrations are interesting and go well with the book. There is also another book about the dog in this book, which we’d like to read too.

This was very well written and a book that a lot of people will be able to relate to when they've really wanted a pet then that pet hasn't given them the time of day. I thought this book was funny but it also had a very powerful message behind it. This is the first book I read by this author but it most certainly won't be the last. I fully intend on getting this author's entire collection.

My Dog Made Me Write This Book
by Elizabeth Fensham

Paperback, 160 pages
Expected publication: July 2nd 2019 by Sourcebooks Young Readers



Goodreads synopsis:
When Eric got a dog, he thought he was getting a best friend. But his dog doesn't even consider Eric to be his second best friend. Or his third. He even likes Eric's horrible sister, Gretchen, more than he likes Eric. Eric isn't sure where this betrayal came from. Maybe his dog is resentful that Eric named him Ugly, or that Eric's Mom is the one who feeds him and walks him.

No matter the reason, it's got to change. Eric's ready to try anything and everything to get his dog to love him. Or if not love, at least show some half-hearted interest. But will Eric have what it takes to gain Ugly's affection? Or will he be in the doghouse...forever?

Discover more of Eric and Ugly's adventures in My Dog Get's a Job!


***

3 Stars

This is a book about a kid finally taking responsibility for the care of his dog. He thinks the dog doesn’t love him. He loves Mom best. He discovers that the more he takes care of his dog, plays with him and trains him, the more the dog comes to love him best.

Cute story. Obviously not for my age bracket but I thought it would be a great book to help young children to understand how to be responsible for their pets.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

My Dog Made Me Write This Book by Elizabeth Fensham is a treat!

About the book: This isn’t the story of a boy begging for a dog and promising to take care of it. This is a book by a boy called Eric, and Eric already has a dog. The only problem is, Ugly (his dog) doesn’t give Eric the time of day. That’s an idiom, which in this instance, means that Ugly prefers the company of Eric’s busy parents, Eric’s sage grandfather, and even Eric’s awful sister over his own. Eric doesn’t understand why Ugly likes everyone but him; Ugly is HIS dog after all!

Ugly is a growing puppy and he’s becoming quite a nuisance. Eric’s attempts to discipline him and make him obedient just aren’t working. His family and even the grouchy lady next door with a cat blame Eric, making him feel angry and upset. When Eric and Ugly are faced with an ultimatum— behave or else—Eric must figure out a way to get his dog under control to keep Ugly and avoid returning him to the orphanage for dogs.

Eric writes this book chronicling the crucial two months he and Ugly spend working together. Ugly certainly has a few kinks that need ironed out. That’s another idiom. Eric’s grandfather points out some things about Eric that are tough pills to swallow and doles out some unsolicited constructive criticism. Owning a dog is quite a tremendous responsibility, especially when it happens to be your first. Eric is fortunate to have the support of his family, his friends, his teacher, and dog trainer friend of his grandfather.

Just how much effort is one dog worth?
Can Eric take ownership of some hard truths about himself, accept and admit blame, reflect on his responsibilities, and learn from them?
Is two months enough time to turn things around with Ugly?

In addition to being a thoroughly enjoyable a-boy-and-his-dog story, My Dog Made Me Write This Book offers practical tips about training people to teach their dogs. It’s also full of advice and things to remember when you’re working with a dog, which makes it a great tool for kids who might not be keen on boring training books. Idioms, definitions, and assorted teachable moments are strewn throughout in a way that feels organic and much less contrived than my own idiom placement. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a middle grade book that I hoped wouldn’t end. This was one of them, and I’d love to read and review My Dog Gets a Job, also by Elizabeth Fensham.


Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Kids for the opportunity to read this book. My review is honest and unbiased. #NetGalley #MyDogMadeMeWriteThisBook

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Kids who want or have recently received a dog, will appreciate this story! A new dog needs to be trained and if they aren't well....there are consequences! This story is humorous, but shows what it's like for a family to get a dog. Dogs need to worked with and owners need patience. . That is a hard lesson to learn (I remember it well....) but the book offers up dog training advice. Fun summer read!
Pt. 1 of what looks to be a fun series!

Nine-year-old Eric was thrilled to get a puppy from the animal shelter. But Ugly has now grown into an out-of-control dog. And Ugly’s bad behavior for some reason is all blamed on Eric or Eccle as he is fondly called.

Well, maybe there is some truth there. Seems Ugly’s care has become the responsibility of his overworked mom. Sound familiar? For this fact, the puppy has never received any consistent training, and now Eric’s parents and his rather unpleasant, much older sister have lost patience with both boy and dog. Then, there is the fact that that Ugly prefers Mom, who feeds him, leaving Eric feeling rejected and unmotivated. Now Ugly is in danger of being given away unless Eric can step up and take over caring for and training his dog. Being a kid, Eccle is reluctant to embrace the responsibility, yet he doesn’t want to lose his dog. Enter his rather pedantic grandfather at the ready to advise his grandson.

This is a humorously written first-person narrative by Eruc presented in the form of a book he’s writing. With amusing advice from his friends and help from Maggie, an experienced dog trainer, Eric eventually learns his lessons—and so does Ugly. Ugly’s antics will be familiar to dog owners and are believable, as is Eric’s avoidance of responsibility.

Reader may find interesting and useful dog-training hints. The book ends on a happy note inspiring readers to pick up Ugly’s next misadventure, My Dog Gets a Job. Whimsical and engaging illustrations enhance this familiar story.

I found this book to be a slow and never exciting book, yet still a fun read for animal lovers.