Dog Diaries #2: Buddy
#2 of 7 in Dog Diaries Series
What’s inside...
A German shepherd, the first dog trained at Dorothy Eustis's famous Seeing Eye guide-dog school for the blind, looks back at her life. Chosen for her intelligence, obedience, and willingness to learn, Kiss knows there is more to life than chasing balls and chewing bones. After spending months learning to take care of her beloved trainer Jack, Kiss is assigned to Morris, a strange, clumsy man who wants to change her name to Buddy. As she adapts to her new life, Kiss realizes that Morris may need her even more than Jack did. Based on a true story, and featuring realistic illustrations and additional information about guide dogs, this book is perfect for smart, dog-loving, early middle-grade readers.
Discussion points
How do you think Buddy felt when he met his new family? What clues in the story told you that?
What are some ways Buddy shows his loyalty to his owners? Can you think of a time when you showed loyalty?
How do Buddy's adventures make you feel? If you were in his place, what would you have done differently?
Why is trust important between Buddy and his human family? How can we build trust with our pets or friends?
What did you learn from Buddy's experiences about handling new situations?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate personal experiences with Buddy’s story. This helps deepen their understanding and empathy.
Use expressive reading to convey Buddy’s emotions. Change your tone and pace to match the narrative, making the reading experience more vibrant and engaging.
After reading, ask your child to draw or describe their favorite scene. This promotes creativity and helps them remember specific details of the story.
Discuss the moral lessons from the book. Highlight the importance of friendship, courage, and kindness, reinforcing these values.
Create a 'What would Buddy do?' game where you present hypothetical scenarios, and your child must respond based on how they think Buddy would act.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Through Buddy's interactions with different characters, readers see how understanding others' feelings and situations leads to stronger relationships.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being attentive to their friends' and family members' emotions and learning to respond compassionately.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Buddy demonstrates the importance of being responsible through his daily tasks and loyalty to his human friends.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to take care of their own belongings, complete homework on time, and take responsibility for their actions.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The book showcases Buddy’s journey, highlighting how persistence in the face of challenges leads to success.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to keep trying and not give up when faced with difficulties, whether in school or in their personal lives.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: Buddy’s interactions reveal how friendships can provide support and joy.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to build meaningful connections with others and cherish these relationships.
Example Lesson: Courage to face fears
Explanation: Buddy often faces situations that are intimidating, teaching readers to be brave even when scared.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to confront their own fears and understand that courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act despite it.