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Description
Spencer and his family are expecting a visit from Great-Aunt Alice and her dog, Susan. All Spencer knows is that she’s dignified and graceful, with long, beautiful hair — the dog, that is. Spencer and his own pup, Barney, are excited to have another dog to play with and decide to give her a chance. But it soon becomes clear that Susan is no regular dog. She eats cake off a china plate, takes scheduled naps, and needs an umbrella held over her in the rain.
Spencer and Barney decide to teach Susan how to be a real dog. With Barney as a role model, they take her to the off-leash dog park to develop skills like barking at buses, cyclists and squirrels, eating garbage, resisting grooming, and refusing to come when she’s called. Susan returns from the park covered in burrs, having shed her dignity and grace enough to fully embrace her inner dog. Mixed-media illustrations support the humorous text in this story about embracing who you are.
Spencer and Barney decide to teach Susan how to be a real dog. With Barney as a role model, they take her to the off-leash dog park to develop skills like barking at buses, cyclists and squirrels, eating garbage, resisting grooming, and refusing to come when she’s called. Susan returns from the park covered in burrs, having shed her dignity and grace enough to fully embrace her inner dog. Mixed-media illustrations support the humorous text in this story about embracing who you are.
Author Bio
MAUREEN FERGUS is an award-winning author of books for children and young adults, including The Day Dad Joined My Soccer Team, The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten and the Buddy and Earl series. She lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Monica Arnaldo grew up in Ottawa, Ontario, where she spent her childhood imagining herself in to all sorts of trouble. Drawn to illustration by her passion for children’s books, she combines a variety of media to create images full of character. She and her husband live in Montreal with their dog, Abe.
Prizes
- Ontario Library Association 2016 Honourable Mention
- Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids and Teens
- Nominated for the McNally Robinson Book for Young People Awards, Manitoba Book Awards
Review Quotes
"A Dog Day for Susan has loads of personality and is doggone fun to read aloud."
— The National Reading Campaign
"Opposing personalities are entertainingly juxtaposed...undeniably enjoyable." — Quill & Quire
"Expressive illustrations, especially the dogs' faces, will delight readers... There's no such things as too many dog books--add this one to the pack. Recommended."
— School Library Connection
"Entertaining... You don't have to be a dog lover to enjoy this book." — School Library Journal
"Action is strongly portrayed in Arnaldo's mixed-media drawings, which show personalities, activities, and characters--the dogs are especially well-done." — Kirkus
"Fergus brilliantly weaves in an interesting vocabulary... The soft lines and well-thought-out detail of Arnaldo's accompanying art creates a charming package. Recommended."
— Canadian Review of Materials
"I love this book because I have a dog at home and I think of all the silly, crazy things she does... I think other kids will love A Dog Day for Susan, especially if they love their pet dogs."
— Jewel, Age 8, Kids Book Buzz
