A Dazzling Display of Dogs
#2 in A Curious Collection of Peculiar Creatures Series
on Goodreads (232)
What’s inside...
From the award-winning team behind A Curious Collection of Cats comes a new collection of visual poems celebrating all things canine—from obedience school, to backyard break outs, to flatulent Fidos. Whether your best friend is a plucky Jack Russell, an indecisive basset hound, or a poodle with an indiscriminate appetite, you're sure to find this dazzling display doggone delightful.
Discussion points
What was your favorite poem about the dogs, and what feelings did it evoke in you?
Why do you think the author chose to write about dogs in such a creative way?
Which dog's story would you like to know more about and why?
How do the illustrations enhance the poems for you?
If you could write a poem about a pet, which animal would you choose and what would you say?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their favorite parts by asking them to describe the images and words that caught their attention.
Discuss the different characteristics of each dog and relate them to any pets you may have at home or traits they find admirable.
After reading, ask your child to pick a poem and draw their interpretation of it or create a new poem based on their favorite dog breed.
Use the book as a starting point to explore different poetry styles and perhaps write a family poem about an imaginary or real pet.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Through the diverse personalities and challenges faced by each dog in the poems, children learn to understand and empathize with different perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by recognizing and respecting the feelings and viewpoints of their peers and animals in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Diversity
Explanation: The book features a wide range of dog breeds, each with unique traits and backgrounds, teaching children to celebrate diversity.
Real-World Application: This can help children embrace individual differences among their friends and within their communities, promoting inclusivity.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Expression
Explanation: The playful and creative poems encourage children to explore their own creative expression through language and art.
Real-World Application: Children can be inspired to engage in creative writing, drawing, or other forms of artistic expression, enhancing their cognitive and emotional skills.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: By observing how different dogs behave and interact, children learn about the responsibilities involved in caring for pets.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to take initiative in caring for family pets, or contribute more actively to household chores.
Example Lesson: The Joy of Reading
Explanation: The engaging and rhyming text makes reading fun, fostering a love for literature from an early age.
Real-World Application: This enthusiasm for reading can lead to improved literacy skills and a lifelong habit of reading for pleasure and knowledge.