Go, Dog. Go! By P.D. Eastman

Bibliography
Eastman, P.D. 1961. Go, Dog. Go!. New York: Random House.  ISBN 0-394-80020-6

Summary
In this bright and fun picture book, P.D. Eastman has big dogs, little dogs, and all kinds of color dogs spending time in a variety of settings.  These dogs like to have fun! They drive around in cars, swim in the water, go to work and so much more. When all the dogs are seen going up a tree, there are lots of questions! Why are they going up the tree?  Will they work there? Play there? What is on top of that tree?!  Why, it's a party, of course!

Critical analysis
In this beginner picture book, for kids ages 3-7, Eastman uses dogs to represent what people do on a daily basis.  Young children are beginning to understand the rhythms and patterns of a day and can relate to the dog's lives which are so similar to their own: they see friends of many colors and sizes, they play together and disagree on occasion, they work and go on errands in the car, and they learn that when it's night, play must stop and they have to sleep.  The repetitive language is fun for kids and reinforces sight and position words, as well as color and numbers.  Parents and librarians can use the facial expressions of the dogs to discuss emotions...including happiness, confusion,  concentration and frustration. Eastman's illustrations are simple, bright, and easy to follow.  

Review excerpt(s)
"The canine cartoons make an elementary text funny and coherent and still one of the best around."--School Library Journal.  

Connections
*Gather different color toy cars and a "city rug."  Have children play with the cars on the rug and tell you where they are going in the city. 
*Consider having teachers participate in the book as a play.  http://www.stageagent.com/Shows/View/4943
*Have children cut out and paste pictures of cars and dogs using different color paper.
*Talk to children about how we can disagree with each other using words, or by possibly, walking away.  A child can put on a hat and ask someone if they like it.  When the person says "no" the other student can learn that it's ok to disagree and to move on to the next subject, or if they are upset, to just walk away.