Dr. Seuss Book Club

Dr. Seuss’ Go Dog Go – Everything You Need To Know About The Book

Alright, before anything else, let me correct one thing – this book wasn’t really written by Dr. Seuss. This kids’ book’s authorship has been incorrectly attributed to Dr. Seuss because of the similarities to his style of writing and both of the authors being published under the series of Beginner Books. So who wrote it? It’s no other than P.D. Eastman. And just like Dr. Seuss’ works, Go Dog Go! has been a huge hit- being adored by early reading kids and their parents. Why don’t we take a closer look at this early readers’ book and see what it has in store for you?

Dr. Seuss’ Go Dog Go! – A P.D. Eastman’s Book That Endured The Years
Reading through the book, you would find the different actions and interactions between a group of highly active and mobile dogs – operating and driving cars and other vehicles while in pursuit of work, play, and a secret final goal (you would discover this at the end of the book). Go Dog Go! introduces different concepts like color, relative position using simple to understand language, humor (ex: The blue dog is out. The red dog is in). The author of the book – P.D. Eastman clearly understood that children need to learn how to read through repetition. However, at the same time, the author also understands that it needs to be engaging adult interest if the parents would read it with their kids many times over. This early readers’ book by P.D. Eastman is the perfect example of writing on both of these levels.

Reading through the book, you would find the details and illustrations by P.D. Eastman inviting the reader to be observant and discover the deeper significance in seemingly small things. For example, you would a girl dog asking a boy dog if he likes her hat that comes with a little flower. Well, he does not and they parted ways right away. A couple of more pages from that point, you would find these 2 dogs meeting again. This time, her hat comes with a feather and she asks him if he likes it. Again, he does not. However, before they go on their separate ways, he made off with the feather. Finally, on their last meeting on the book, the girl dog brought an even more decorative and elaborate hat. This hat now gains the approval of the boy dog. Bottom line – a relationship between them was developed. Despite the simplicity, interesting bonds form and unfold throughout the book.

Elsewhere, you would find the other dogs sleeping on a huge bed. However, as the rest of the pack takes their sleep, a little blue dog remains awake – sitting up with its eyes big and round. On the next page, though, you would find the dogs jumping out of the huge bed with the aid of the green dog’s encouragement (using a bell and a bullhorn) as the sun rises. This time, though, the blue dog is fast asleep. As I have said, the whole book is simple enough for early readers to understand but interesting for kids and adults alike. A feat indeed!

Go Dog Go! – My Review
Coming with and showcasing dogs of different shapes, sizes, and colors, this is my number one and all time favorite early readers’ and children’s book. Big dog, little dog, blue dog, red dog – it’s easy to see why my now 2 year old son’s first word was dog. Back when my teens were still on their toddler years, we, along with my little one (who is currently 5 months old) will sit and read through most of the book. There are even times when we finish this book in one sitting especially if the whole gang is up to it.

I don’t want to be redundant BUT this is a great first reader book since the words used are very common. Along with that, it also comes with illustrations that are of great help when one is reading – one big dog going in (you would see one of our furry friends opening the door) and two little dogs going out. Among the different scenarios found in the book, what I love most is when the three dogs are holding a party at the boat during night time. Another unforgettable part is when one dog stays up at night, making sure everyone is safe, when all of the other dogs are sound asleep. Really cute!

Bottom line, every child should have Go Dog Go! by P.D. Eastman in their library. Reading should start at a very young age, and this is the book to go for. I’m giving this great first readers’ book my highest recommendation!