Dogdunnit
on Goodreads (3)
What’s inside...
In 'Dogdunnit', a mischievous dog named Rufus creates chaos when he investigates a series of humorous and puzzling events in his neighborhood. With his keen sense of smell and relentless curiosity, Rufus uncovers clues and follows leads, determined to solve the mystery that has everyone puzzled. Along the way, he learns valuable lessons about friendship, responsibility, and the importance of being part of a community.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the dog decided to solve the mystery?
How did the characters in the book help each other, and what can we learn from that?
What would you have done if you were in the dog’s place?
How did the story's setting make the mystery more interesting?
What was your favorite part of the mystery, and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves as the detective dog, enhancing their problem-solving skills. Discuss the importance of teamwork as shown in the book to promote social skills. Use the vivid depictions in the book to ask your child to describe scenes, improving their descriptive abilities. Lastly, always affirm and praise their thoughts and responses, fostering a positive reading experience.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'Dogdunnit,' the main character, a mischievous dog named Rascal, learns the importance of being responsible after causing a mess in the house. Throughout the story, Rascal works to fix the problems he created, demonstrating accountability for his actions.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of taking responsibility for their actions, cleaning up after themselves, and helping to resolve issues they may cause in everyday situations like at home or school.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: The book illustrates problem-solving as Rascal figures out ways to correct his misdeeds. The character’s journey entails thinking through his mistakes and finding constructive solutions to make things right.
Real-World Application: Children can apply problem-solving skills in their lives by thinking critically and creatively to overcome challenges and conflicts they encounter with peers or in learning environments.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Rascal learns to understand the consequences of his actions on others. The narrative shows his realization of how his behavior affects those around him, fostering a sense of empathy.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the impact their actions can have on others' feelings and teaches them to consider other people's perspectives in social interactions.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Despite the challenges Rascal faces in trying to fix his mistakes, he persists and does not give up. This highlights the theme of perseverance throughout the book.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to keep trying and not be disheartened by setbacks, whether in completing school tasks, personal projects, or in relationships with others.