The Great Dog Bottom Swap
What’s inside...
The day has arrived for the Dogs' Summer Ball, a high-class event where each dog must remove their bottom before entering the hall. Amidst the fun, an unexpected incident occurs, causing the dogs to hastily leave, regardless of whether they have the correct bottom. Celebrating its 10th year in publication, this hilarious picture book has received acclaim and been shortlisted for awards such as the Sheffield Book Award, the Best Children's Illustrated Book Award, and the Roald Dahl Funny Prize.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the dogs learned about their bottoms at the party?
How do you think the dogs felt when they realized they had the wrong bottoms?
Why is it important to laugh about silly things sometimes?
What would you do if you were at that party?
How did the author make the story funny?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices and facial expressions while reading to highlight the humor in the story.
Pause at key moments to allow your child to predict what might happen next, enhancing their engagement.
After reading, ask your child to draw their favorite scene, encouraging them to recall details from the book.
Discuss the importance of accepting mistakes and laughing at oneself, drawing parallels from the book's themes.
Create a light-hearted and playful environment during the discussion to mirror the book’s tone.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embrace diversity and acceptance
Explanation: The story showcases a variety of dogs with different bottom types, promoting the message that everyone is unique and should be accepted as they are.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and embrace differences among their peers, which is essential in fostering an inclusive environment at school and in other social settings.
Example Lesson: Humor as a way to deal with embarrassing situations
Explanation: The comical scenario of dogs mistakenly swapping their bottoms at the vet illustrates that sometimes, it's okay to laugh off embarrassing moments.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that not all mistakes or awkward situations need to be taken too seriously, teaching them resilience through humor.
Example Lesson: Importance of problem-solving
Explanation: The dogs have to figure out how to resolve the mix-up and reclaim their own bottoms, highlighting problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these problem-solving methods when facing their own mix-ups or mistakes, learning to think critically and act decisively.
Example Lesson: Value of cooperation and teamwork
Explanation: The dogs need to work together to correct the bottom-swap confusion, showing how teamwork is crucial in resolving issues.
Real-World Application: This emphasizes to children the importance of cooperating with others to achieve common goals, whether in academic projects or in play.
Example Lesson: Learning to laugh at oneself
Explanation: The playful tone of the book teaches children that it’s healthy to be able to laugh at oneself, reducing self-consciousness and boosting self-esteem.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to develop a lighter perspective on life and increases their social confidence in potentially embarrassing or unexpected situations.