PPBF: Scrappy the Pup

Author: John Ciardi
Illustrator: Jane Miller
Publisher: J. B. Lippincott, 1960
Ages: 3-8yrs
Themes: stories in rhyme, watchdogs, farmers
Opening: This is the story of Scrappy the Pup, Who slept so hard he just couldn’t wake up.
Summary: (from my library catalog) Here is a Poem about Scrappy the pup who was supposed to be a watchdog. What Scrappy really liked to do was eat and sleep, and once he was asleep nothing could arouse him-not thunder, rain, guns, nor anything else – until his owner, a farmer, broke Scrappy’s dinner plate.

I like this book because: the rhyme is sublime! I am a late bloomer when it comes to poetry, but I know a good ‘un when I read it! I saw the author mentioned in an interview with illustrator Moira Swiatkowski on Joanna Marple’s blog HERE. I put a bunch of his books on hold and am totally in love! As I told a friend, I feel like I’m being pushed on a swing while reading this. No need to take my word, read the three consecutive pages posted here. I enjoyed the simplistic and loose illustration style, and feel it works well with the rhythm of the story.

Resources/activities: read more of John Ciardi’s collections for children; read Renée LaTulippe’s Ciardi post with Lee Bennet Hopkins at No Water River HERE; write a poem!

For more PPBF selections including resources and activities, go to Susanna Hill’s blog: HERE