That's Not My Dog!
That'S Not My... Series
What’s inside...
That's Not My Puppy is a children's book by Fiona Watt, illustrated by Rachel Wells, and part of the 'That's Not My' series, aimed at very young readers. The book showcases a variety of puppies, each with different textures like fluffy tails or rough paws. It features the repetitive phrase 'That's not my puppy, its [feature] is too [description],' which continues until the final page where the child finds 'their' puppy. The book is designed to encourage tactile exploration and language development, with simple, bold illustrations to engage a baby's attention. Additionally, each page contains tactile patches of different textures and a little white mouse for readers to spot, enhancing sensory and language skills.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-3
Length
10 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What makes the dog in the book different from other dogs you know?
How do you think the dog feels when it's described differently on each page?
Can you think of a time when you felt happy or sad because of how someone described you?
Why do you think the author chose to show the dog in so many different ways?
What would you name the dog in the book, and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to describe their own pet or a favorite animal using similar descriptive words as in the book.
Discuss the concept of diversity and uniqueness in both animals and people, relating it back to the various dogs depicted.
Use expressive facial and vocal expressions when discussing the different dogs, to make the reading experience more lively and engaging.
Ask your child to draw their version of the 'perfect dog' and encourage them to explain their choices, fostering creativity and deeper understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Sensory Exploration
Explanation: Through touch-and-feel elements, 'That's Not My Dog!' encourages children to explore different textures, enhancing their sensory development.
Real-World Application: Children can apply sensory exploration in everyday life by engaging more actively with their environment, noticing and describing textures like the softness of a pillow or the roughness of sand.
Example Lesson: Attention to Detail
Explanation: 'That's Not My Dog!' helps children focus on small differences in textures and features of different dogs, fostering attention to detail and observational skills.
Real-World Application: This skill can help children in scenarios like sorting and organizing their toys by size, color or type, enhancing their ability to notice details and categorize objects.
Example Lesson: Language Skills
Explanation: The repetitive structure of the text in 'That's Not My Dog!' supports language development by introducing new adjectives and encourages the use of descriptive language.
Real-World Application: Children can use descriptive language in their everyday communication, such as when they describe what they see or feel, which can boost their expressive language skills.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: The story's narrative of searching for the right dog teaches children the value of persistence, as the character does not give up until the correct dog is found.
Real-World Application: This lesson is applicable when children face tasks that require multiple attempts, teaching them not to give up easily, whether in puzzles, learning to tie shoes, or other skills requiring trial and error.
Example Lesson: Celebrating Differences
Explanation: The book highlights various types of dogs, each with unique traits, promoting the celebration and acceptance of differences.
Real-World Application: This can help children appreciate diversity among their peers and learn to embrace everyone's unique characteristics in school or in playgroups.