Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
116th out of 340 books
—
552 voters
Dominic
Dominic is a talented dog, and when he encounters the notorious Doomsday Gang up to their old tricks, it becomes obvious they have met their match!
An ALA Notable Book
An ALA Notable Book
Paperback, 145 pages
Published
August 1st 1984
by Farrar Straus Giroux
(first published 1972)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
627)
I can't remember a time when this book wasn't on my shelves. Not sure how old I was when I actually read it for the first time, maybe eight. I thought that this tale of a noble joyous dog on a journey who has adventures involving being kind to strangers while routing a group of baddies (the Doomsday gang) was just great and I reread it lots. It was, consequently, one of the first books I tried reading aloud to my older son who was four at the time, and it was a failure. I was shocked to find it...more
Interesting book. A dog named Dominic (spelled wrong, but you still might see why this book appealed to me) decides he needs advenure so sets out to explore the world. He has a series of loosely-linked adventures, including several encounters with the Doomsday Gang, a band of ruffians he ultimately manages to defeat, when all of nature turns against them. He has several amusing encounters with odd animals, finds treasure, generally proves himself the best of all possible dogs, plays the piccolo...more
I think I read this as a kid, or it was read to me. It seemed vaguely familiar. This is a great children's book, and it does the thing that I think all children's literature should do. It doesn't treat kids like they are stupid, it talks to them as if they were adults and can handle things like life and death, and it uses words and sentence structures that are challenging. A kid reading this book would have to think about sentences and figure out some words from their contexts. I love that the a...more
Dominic by William Steig, is slightly below my reading level and is a very easy and short read. However, that does not diminish the quality of the novel. I had read this book before in 8th grade, and despite its jeuvenile tone, I got more out of the novel when I reread it this year.
With my knowledge on literary devices, I was able to detect elements like symbolism and foreshadowing, which enhanced the theme of the novel.
Similarly to Animal Farm, this novel focuses on the symbolism of an animal...more
With my knowledge on literary devices, I was able to detect elements like symbolism and foreshadowing, which enhanced the theme of the novel.
Similarly to Animal Farm, this novel focuses on the symbolism of an animal...more
A wise dog in a contemplative story. Dominic sets off for an adventure, and his friendly encounters with each new animal he meets are intertwined with his escalating confrontations with the Doomsday Gang villains. What is notable is the philosophical approach Dominic takes to life, expressed in such eloquent, simple language. He lives in the moment, appreciating each small, new thing while musing on the larger mysteries of life.
Dominic is a fascinating character -- a fearless hero who is rather...more
Dominic is a fascinating character -- a fearless hero who is rather...more
Logan's daddy read this aloud and said it was one of the best kid's book he read. L said he loved it too. I love Steig. Dominic is an endearing character. I like the beginning of the story (condensed):
"Dominic was a livey one, always up to something...He owned an assortment of hats which he liked to wear, not for warmth or for shade or to shield him from rain, but for their various effects--rakish, dashing, solemn, or martial. He packed them, together with his precious piccolo and a few other th...more
"Dominic was a livey one, always up to something...He owned an assortment of hats which he liked to wear, not for warmth or for shade or to shield him from rain, but for their various effects--rakish, dashing, solemn, or martial. He packed them, together with his precious piccolo and a few other th...more
This is simply one of the finest books I've ever read. No joke! It was written by the great William Steig of "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble" fame, but there was no way that brilliant picture book could prepare me for the majesty of Dominic. Basically, it's about a dog who leaves his home to go out and seek his fortune in the world. He is a benevolent soul and meets all kinds of other unique animals that add to Dominic's story like the layers of a classic oil painting. They add rich colors to hi...more
This was recommended reading for a PTA Children's Classic Book Group List I used to lead when my kids were in elementary school. Most the books on the list were a bit depressing. I don't know why adults write depressing books for kids. Also I don't know why they recommend them for Newberry Awards. This is one of the few books the kids voted as one of their favorites year after year. It's a delightful fun book inducing wonderful topics of discussion. I loved it too. Our discussions were always li...more
I discovered this book some 20 years ago and I've reread it twice I think. Dominic is a good-hearted soul, equally fond of action and playing his golden piccolo. He helps many deserving animals he meets and trounces the evil Doomsday Gang. I love the way Steig's obvious joy in language. The vocabulary is too rich for many young readers, but might delight young listeners whose parents would enjoy the story, the language, and the wit.
I think Dominic is a great book. This is what happens:Dominic is a dog that loves adventures and leaves home and goes on a adventure. In the adventure he gets wealthy and the rest read to find out!
My favorite animal in this story is Dominic because he's the main animal in this story and he loves adventures and so he loves the outdoors. I like the part when Dominic connected with a girl and starts a new adventure and finds her doll and finally breaks her curse so she can finally go out in the wor...more
My favorite animal in this story is Dominic because he's the main animal in this story and he loves adventures and so he loves the outdoors. I like the part when Dominic connected with a girl and starts a new adventure and finds her doll and finally breaks her curse so she can finally go out in the wor...more
5 stars are not enough for this book. I give it 10 out of a possible 5. This is the best book ever written. Ever. No one has the vocabulary of William Steig nor the skill as a writer. I've adored all his picture books but finally read this one. I'm so glad I did. I will recommend this book to every child in the library. Even adults should read this. It is the best book I've ever read in my life up until now.
This is a great read-aloud book. It's a bit dated in its themes if you're sensitive to episodes involving sword-fighting and traditional gender roles, but those issues aren't glaring. What I love that Steig doesn't simplify his prose for children; there are big words throughout. It has charming pencil sketches too that, at this point, make a read-aloud, chapter book more appealing to my 5-year-old. But she was swept up in the story regardless. I loved it.
Was standing around in the kitchen last night when I suddenly remembered reading this in around 1978. Go figure. (Ok, well, I wasn't just standing around in the kitchen, because that's a weird place to stand around. I mean, I was slicing bread or something. But this is too long already, because all I'm really trying to say is that I actually read this book around 30 years ago. Thanks.)
I picked this book up because a local school had posters with vocabulary words from the book posted all over the school building. I was impressed with the vocabulary words and wondered about the story.
A dog goes out to see the world and has a series of very interesting adventures. I particularly liked the way he made friends easily and was eager to generously share what had been given to him.
A dog goes out to see the world and has a series of very interesting adventures. I particularly liked the way he made friends easily and was eager to generously share what had been given to him.
I love dogs, especially kind, friendly, adventurous ones, so of course I love Dominic. This book made me happy to be alive. I want to set out on some brave adventures in his honor (just as soon as I find a way to pay for them).
I also appreciate that William Steig uses unusual words (cess, reticule, seneschal) that make total sense in context. Yay for not dumbing it down!
I also appreciate that William Steig uses unusual words (cess, reticule, seneschal) that make total sense in context. Yay for not dumbing it down!
This is a book I remember from my childhood. I read this book multiple times. It's a fantastic story about a dog that leaves his house seeking adventure and is thrown into a great adventure of thieves, treasure and great characters. Kids will definitely love this story. Not just kids. I'm in my 20s right now and I'd pick it up again in a heartbeat.
Loved this book, and my 9-yr-old son did, too. It's an adventure story, and it's basically an ode to living in the moment, seeking adventure, taking what comes, and behaving with kindness and honor. The ending seemed a little simplistic, but I loved the rest of the book so much that it's still five stars for me.
This book is the one I used to read every time my school's librarian told me to just pick a book. I love this book. It's easy to read, with a clear and concise point. The characters are wonderful, and the protagonist himself is too good for words. It's really something I cherish and probably will always come back to.
Everything that William Steig wrote is just the bees knees. Dominic is my new favorite book, and Dominic the dog is one of the most heroic characters I've ever read. Humble servant to his passions, champion of freedom and a simple life, disdaining of wealth, and no reservations about howling at the moon. Three cheers.
Worth re-reading and buying multiple copies for gifts.
A sophisticated, philosophical Don Quixote tale starring a brave dog and a succession of animal friends (a goose named Fox, a pig named Badger, a mouse named Lyon) and animal enemies (the Doomsday Gang). I laughed, I cried.
A sophisticated, philosophical Don Quixote tale starring a brave dog and a succession of animal friends (a goose named Fox, a pig named Badger, a mouse named Lyon) and animal enemies (the Doomsday Gang). I laughed, I cried.
Concerning the times and travels of a canine gentleman adventurer and transcendentalist. Delightful.
There is some challenging vocabulary here, but it’s a great book for 4th to 5th grade readers--and even advanced 3rd graders. Would be an excellent prelude to the Narnia books.
There is some challenging vocabulary here, but it’s a great book for 4th to 5th grade readers--and even advanced 3rd graders. Would be an excellent prelude to the Narnia books.
Dominic has an indominably joyous spirit. Although there is some fantasy here (Dominic is, after all, a well dressed talking dog), all the real problems are solved by pluck and wit. Dominic has no special powers save the ones we all aspire to.
This is a MUST OWN and re-read book. Almost a crash course in wonder, philosophy, and how to roll with the punches, Dominic's adventures are as much for grown-ups as for the child in all of us. Five extra-bright and dazzling stars!! :-)
This is a delightful, whimsical, wonderful story about a dog named Dominic who is eager to go out into the world and find adventure— and find it he does! It is so different from most children's books published nowadays....more
if you are an read-a-loud person, this book is a gem. it is so full of fun and amazingly deep, thoughtful vocabulary and musings. animal adventure, joy, and shenanigans on every page. i didn't want it to end.
Steig's philosophy of life - "take the road to the left, the road to adventure." And then give it everything you've got: "Oh life! I am yours. Whatever you ask of me, I will give it."
A gem.
A gem.
This is delightful - the dry humor is perfect for my tastes, and my son laughed his way through the whole thing. I love the way everything comes together - a true classic.
Jun 14, 2012
Ronni Diamondstein
added it
This is one of the best book I have ever read. I have read it many times. I recommend it to adults as well as children. It's a story about the adventure the is life.
As charming and sly and unpretentious and damn near perfect as 'Abel's Island.' I absolutely adore William Steig. This is sure to be a novel I return to again and again.
I've enjoyed William Steig's children's books, so I decided to pick up this slightly longer story for myself. It was amusing and entertaining enough, but not exactly memorable or life-changingly good.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
William Steig was born in New York City in 1907. In a family where every member was involved in the arts, it was not surprising that Steig became an artist.
He published his first children's book, Roland the Minstrel Pig, in 1968, embarking on a new and very different career.
Steig's books reflect his conviction that children want the security of a devoted family and friends. When Sylvester, Farmer...more
More about William Steig...
He published his first children's book, Roland the Minstrel Pig, in 1968, embarking on a new and very different career.
Steig's books reflect his conviction that children want the security of a devoted family and friends. When Sylvester, Farmer...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Oh, Life, I am yours. Whatever it is you want of me, I am ready to give.”
—
3 people liked it
“How did the world ever manage without me before I was born?' he wondered. 'Didn't they feel something was missing?”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
Jun 05, 2010 09:01pm