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skylarkochava's review against another edition
2.0
Not very accurate for homeschool/academic use. The boy is white, which is not historically accurate. The story is nice, as Jan Brett does. Might be useful for teaching critical reading skills about how history is written.
llamadolly's review against another edition
The First Dog (Paperback) by Jan Brett (1988)
garnetofeden's review against another edition
4.0
Kip the cave boy is headed home, and Wolf is following him, interested in the tasty food Kip is carrying. Along the way, Kip learns that Wolf can smell, hear, and see much better than he can, and they form a partnership resulting in The First Dog. Jan Brett’s beautiful illustrations bring the prehistoric setting to life. In terms that children can understand, The First Dog explores how domestication begins when people find animals and plants with useful traits and adaptations, making what might otherwise be a dry subject personally meaningful.
Rating assigned 3/10/2022.
Rating assigned 3/10/2022.
ivyinthepages's review against another edition
5.0
Rating: 5 leaves out of 5
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Children
Type: Book
Worth?: Yes
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Children
Type: Book
Worth?: Yes
picklesbookreviews's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.5
calistareads's review against another edition
3.0
I think the world of Jan Brett and her work, but this is one of my least favorite she has done. I'm sure some people love it, but it felt incomplete to me and odd.
The setting is prehistoric times. I have read the Earth's Children Series by Jean Auel and that is set in the same time and I feel my mind has a good picture for that time period. The subject is about how man got the first best friend.
So, a young boy is a day away from his family on his own. Back then, kids didn't run off by themselves. Some large animal would get you like it almost does in this book, but this dog wanting the boys rhino bones warns him each time. I just had a problem with the boy being on his own. He would have been with friends or a parent.
The artwork is still lovely and Jan Brett special. Her edges and windows on the side give plenty of information extra for the reader like usual. The dog is very cute and the boy is as well, but something about this story simply didn't work for me. I can't say why. Why would a wooly mamoth charge a boy on a rock? I guess they are agressive, who knows. Anyway, it's a kids story and it doesn't have to be real, but the story doest feel like it has the same intense vision as her other books do.
I would also bet that a dog raised as a puppy in a clan would be a better way to be the first dog than this, but anyway.
I'm sure kids will enjoy it anyway.
The setting is prehistoric times. I have read the Earth's Children Series by Jean Auel and that is set in the same time and I feel my mind has a good picture for that time period. The subject is about how man got the first best friend.
So, a young boy is a day away from his family on his own. Back then, kids didn't run off by themselves. Some large animal would get you like it almost does in this book, but this dog wanting the boys rhino bones warns him each time. I just had a problem with the boy being on his own. He would have been with friends or a parent.
The artwork is still lovely and Jan Brett special. Her edges and windows on the side give plenty of information extra for the reader like usual. The dog is very cute and the boy is as well, but something about this story simply didn't work for me. I can't say why. Why would a wooly mamoth charge a boy on a rock? I guess they are agressive, who knows. Anyway, it's a kids story and it doesn't have to be real, but the story doest feel like it has the same intense vision as her other books do.
I would also bet that a dog raised as a puppy in a clan would be a better way to be the first dog than this, but anyway.
I'm sure kids will enjoy it anyway.
calistareads's review against another edition
3.0
I think the world of Jan Brett and her work, but this is one of my least favorite she has done. I'm sure some people love it, but it felt incomplete to me and odd.
The setting is prehistoric times. I have read the Earth's Children Series by Jean Auel and that is set in the same time and I feel my mind has a good picture for that time period. The subject is about how man got the first best friend.
So, a young boy is a day away from his family on his own. Back then, kids didn't run off by themselves. Some large animal would get you like it almost does in this book, but this dog wanting the boys rhino bones warns him each time. I just had a problem with the boy being on his own. He would have been with friends or a parent.
The artwork is still lovely and Jan Brett special. Her edges and windows on the side give plenty of information extra for the reader like usual. The dog is very cute and the boy is as well, but something about this story simply didn't work for me. I can't say why. Why would a wooly mamoth charge a boy on a rock? I guess they are agressive, who knows. Anyway, it's a kids story and it doesn't have to be real, but the story doest feel like it has the same intense vision as her other books do.
I would also bet that a dog raised as a puppy in a clan would be a better way to be the first dog than this, but anyway.
I'm sure kids will enjoy it anyway.
The setting is prehistoric times. I have read the Earth's Children Series by Jean Auel and that is set in the same time and I feel my mind has a good picture for that time period. The subject is about how man got the first best friend.
So, a young boy is a day away from his family on his own. Back then, kids didn't run off by themselves. Some large animal would get you like it almost does in this book, but this dog wanting the boys rhino bones warns him each time. I just had a problem with the boy being on his own. He would have been with friends or a parent.
The artwork is still lovely and Jan Brett special. Her edges and windows on the side give plenty of information extra for the reader like usual. The dog is very cute and the boy is as well, but something about this story simply didn't work for me. I can't say why. Why would a wooly mamoth charge a boy on a rock? I guess they are agressive, who knows. Anyway, it's a kids story and it doesn't have to be real, but the story doest feel like it has the same intense vision as her other books do.
I would also bet that a dog raised as a puppy in a clan would be a better way to be the first dog than this, but anyway.
I'm sure kids will enjoy it anyway.
mmattmiller's review against another edition
4.0
Read this today to a class of first graders. We looked at character traits for the boy, and talked at the end about if he stayed the same or if his character traits evolved. They enjoyed looking at details in the illustrations and borders. They noticed details that I had missed in the illustrations, and shared how those details contributed to the story. They enjoyed making predictions as the book went on. This was just a really great story, with amazing illustrations, that gave us some really good conversation. Definitely a hit. The kids were engaged.
ceruleanjen's review
5.0
Plot & Pacing
Simple but cute and informative plot on prehistoric life as well as dog instincts and the relationship between humans and canines. A young boy teases a wolf with his dinner but the wolf still chooses to save the boy's life multiple times.
Setting & World-Building
Does a great job at showing what the world looked like during prehistoric times.
Characters & Development
Kip is a carefree cave boy who enjoys teasing Paleowolf. Paleowolf really wants Kip's dinner but puts the boy's safety above his own needs & wants. Predators such as Wooly Mammoths and Saber Tooth Tigers are featured.
Character Relationships
The only relationship is between Kip and Paleowolf. Kip may enjoy teasing the wolf but he comes to understand that this animal has been protecting him and a friendship forms between them.
Writing & Voice
The writing is simple but has a lyrical element that ties well into the book.
Illustrations
The illustrations are gorgeous and the attention to detail is amazing. Very colorful and lots of little details all over the pages to look at.
Climax & Ending
Had a decent climax and adored the ending.
Overall, I'm keeping the 5 star rating. It was as enjoyable now as it was when I was growing up. A great book for children who love dogs, friendship, prehistoric stuff, and beautiful illustrations.
Simple but cute and informative plot on prehistoric life as well as dog instincts and the relationship between humans and canines. A young boy teases a wolf with his dinner but the wolf still chooses to save the boy's life multiple times.
Setting & World-Building
Does a great job at showing what the world looked like during prehistoric times.
Characters & Development
Kip is a carefree cave boy who enjoys teasing Paleowolf. Paleowolf really wants Kip's dinner but puts the boy's safety above his own needs & wants. Predators such as Wooly Mammoths and Saber Tooth Tigers are featured.
Character Relationships
The only relationship is between Kip and Paleowolf. Kip may enjoy teasing the wolf but he comes to understand that this animal has been protecting him and a friendship forms between them.
Writing & Voice
The writing is simple but has a lyrical element that ties well into the book.
Illustrations
The illustrations are gorgeous and the attention to detail is amazing. Very colorful and lots of little details all over the pages to look at.
Climax & Ending
Had a decent climax and adored the ending.
Overall, I'm keeping the 5 star rating. It was as enjoyable now as it was when I was growing up. A great book for children who love dogs, friendship, prehistoric stuff, and beautiful illustrations.
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