My Dog Thinks I'm A Genius

by Harriet Ziefert, Barroux (Illustrator)

Louie loves watching his young master paint, and when the boy puts his finishing touches on a particularly good self-portrait, Louie barks enthusiastically. One day, when the boy is at school, Louie tries his own paw at painting a still life. Is this purely an accident, or is Louie a "genius," just like his master?

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Dogs, Childrens, Animals, Storytime, Juvenile

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 13, 2011

About the author

Harriet Ziefert grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey, where she attended the local schools. She graduated from Smith College, then received a Masters degree in Education from New York University.

For many years, Ziefert was an elementary school teacher. She taught most grades from kindergarten to fifth grade. "I liked it," she said, but she stopped teaching when she had her own sons. When her children were older, Ziefert wanted "a bigger arena" for her work. She went to work at a publishing company, Scholastic in New York City, developing materials for teacher's guides for kindergarten language arts and social studies programs.

"About twelve years ago," says Ziefert in a 1995 interview, "I tried to get a job as an editor, but no one would hire me as a trade editor. So I decided to write my own books." Since then, she has written several hundred books, mostly picture books and easy-to-read books. "I write books very quickly," she says, "in about twelve hours. I rewrite them three times over three days, and then they're done." She writes about twenty books a year.

Reviews

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Art, as created by an 8 year old artist, dedicated to the craft, accompanied in his studio by his dog, Louie. Good dog! Good book!

Library copy

[Noel · Rating 3 out of 5]

My appreciation for the story grew after reading the tribute to the inspiration.

[Dustin Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book illustrated by Barroux about inspiration, art, and companionship. A young boy loves to paint everyday and has since he was five years old. Working on his latest painting, with help from his best friend and dog Louie, the boy puts the final touches on by adding Louie to the painting. In excitement Louie runs around the room barking, wagging, and kissing the boy. The boy titles his painting "My Dog Thinks I'm A Genius." One day when the boy returns from school he does not see Louie in the window as he usually does. When he enters his house Louie is still not insight. Angry, the boy heads for his studio hoping Louie has not messed with his paint. Upon enetering the studio the room is noticeably in a wreck, but the now multi-colored dog is excited to show the boy his own work of art. When the boy sees the painting he realizes his dog is an artist just like him. This new painting is title "My dog is a Genius."

The book has a heart warming moral about the surprises of inspiration. The dog inspires the boy, the boy inspires the dog, and the tale invokes a sense of the importance of companionship to young readers. The reader can also find the great effect support and encouragement can have on young artists of every form. A recommended book for those looking to instill a spark of motivation in any reader.

[Gaele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge proponent of books that both teach and entertain - and My Dog Thinks I'm a Genius does just that. With the decrease in art education, children are not provided as many opportunities to be exposed to masters and the joy that can be had in art. The illustrations are lovely, bright splashes of color that bring a walk through a modern art museum feel.

The inclusion of the Cezanne and the use of similar tones and colors throughout the story, as well as a short biography of the painter are genius inclusions that tie the work together beautifully. As does Louie's step-by-step explanation of his painting process. Both story and illustrations make this a book that kids will enjoy as they create their own works of genius.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My five-year-old son picked this book out from the library this week. He thinks that his dog thinks he's a genius.

The book is very good, although not quite perfect. I love the concept: a boy, his dog, and artwork, but the pivot point is a little weak, so it actually feels like two shorter stories put together.

I have no complaints about the artwork those. It is absolutely wonderful, and I would love to live in a house where I was surrounded by that artwork.


Actual rating: 3.5 stars, but I round up.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy loves to paint. He paints for years and years with his dog watching him. One day, he paints a picture of a building with his dog at the bottom of it. The dog loves it so much that the boy calls the painting, "My Dog Thinks I'm a Genius." When he comes back from school the next day, he sees that his dog has created his own painting. It is magnificent! The boy calls it, "My Dog is a Genius."

Good for preschool storytimes.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite the story I expected from such a great title, but not bad. I love the relationship between the boy and his dog. I think it ironic to read this (with the dog and the art studio) while I'm in the middle of "A Long, Long Sleep" which has a similar experience, though a different outcome. I think the dog is adorable.

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pictures are fun and the illustrator's inspiration came from Paul Cezanne's "Still Life with Fruit Basket". The story focuses on a boy who likes to paint while his dog watches. When the boy has to go to school, the dog gets lonely and decides to entertain himself in the boys studio. The boy gets quite the surprise when he comes home. Easy text to read.

[Jeanette Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louie admires his master's paintings. One day while the master is away Louie decides to try his own hand at painting.

Even though we gain perspective from watching others, our own ideas of something may be larger than life.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eight-year-old boy and his dog work together to create a painting. When the boy leaves his dog home alone, Louie gets into the paints and creates a masterful work of art. A fun and surprising ending! And as someone who grew up with dachshunds, I loved the boy's efforts to draw his dog.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love how simple and beautiful this book is-simple stories for older kids are sparse these days. This one is perfect for preschoolers (and for older kids to read on their own), with the number of words usually found in a toddler book.

[Steve H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book. Of course it's cute. It has Louie the dog who watches his boy (the narrator) create watercolor art and then comments. While our narrator is away at school Louie tries his hand (paws) at painting and it turns out there is more than one genius in the house. Nice artwork.

[Courtney Huskisson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy (and a dog) who excel in artistic abilities.

Loved the relationship between the boy and the dog, and I loved the twist in the plot at the end. Several pages leave room for guessing and talking about 'what will happen next?'

I loved the paint style illustration.

[Jec · Rating 4 out of 5]

all the more reason to get another dog...at least someone will think i am a genius...this was a heart warmer....

[Tam · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 4-year-old liked this book. It's pretty short and to-the-point.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clever tale of an artistic boy and his artistic dog. I think this would be fun to share with kindergarten students.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

34 months - We only read this one a couple of times, it was ok but there were other library books we enjoyed more this time round.

[Amanda_DJ n' Zac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice book, and easy for toddlers to relate to. I liked it, an my 4 yr old did as well.

[Jared · Rating 3 out of 5]

... and the moral of the story is, don't leave your paints out with your dog in the room. Or he may paint a better painting than you.

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Tail-Wagging Celebration of Creativity and Companionship

Sometimes inspiration comes from the most unexpected place like the wag of a tail or the tilt of a furry head. In My Dog Thinks I’m a Genius, author Harriet Ziefert captures the sweet and slightly silly friendship between a boy and his beloved dog, Louie, in a story that’s as much about art as it is about love.

The young narrator is a budding artist, confident enough to proclaim his talents and eager to share them with his canine companion. But the real twist comes when Louie, with a little encouragement, picks up a brush of his own. Suddenly, the student becomes the teacher, or perhaps it’s more of a shared journey into the joy of making art together.

Barney Saltzberg’s warm, expressive illustrations bring the boy’s and Louie’s creative worlds to life with splashes of color and a playful energy that mirrors the story’s tone. There’s humor in Louie’s artistic “choices” and tenderness in the way boy and dog inspire one another. For young readers, it’s a delightful reminder that creativity has no boundaries - not even species.

Beyond the fun, the book offers subtle lessons about encouragement, collaboration, and celebrating others’ talents. It’s also a great choice for sparking discussions about trying new things and finding joy in the process rather than perfection.

Final thoughts: My Dog Thinks I’m a Genius is a charming ode to art, friendship, and the magic that happens when we see the world through another’s eyes, especially if that someone happens to be wearing fur and a wagging tail. Perfect for dog lovers, young artists, and anyone who’s ever had a pet that felt like a true collaborator.

[Ashley King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great example to show children how to believe in themselves, as well as their friends. It is about a child who loves to paint and talks about he has practiced for years and his dog has always supported him. The dog watches him paint everyday and gets excited when he is done with a piece. One day when the boy left for school, the dog has got in the painted and painted all over the boy's studio. The boy was upset with his dog until he saw that he painted a great picture and then celebrated him being an artist too rather than putting him in time out.

[Aura Keaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute story about a 5 yr old boy who believes himself to be an artist. For the next three years, his loyal companion, Louie, is an ever faithful dog who watches his boy's budding "career." So, what happens one day when Louie is home alone while his boy is at school? He, of course, wants to play with the paints and brushes! Oh, no! But wait! There's a surprise to this charming tale. Read it and find out. ;-) I found this to be an adorable read-aloud during library story time.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a talented boy/dog duo!

[Tori Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story had a nice, engaging plot that children would enjoy, especially because of the dog. It was also filled with pretty, detailed watercolor illustrations.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Full of the magic that art can bring to everyday life - human and animal.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

A child likes to paint. The dog likes to watch. When the child goes to school the dog gets up to something ...

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little book.

[Critley King · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thought it was cute but my daughter was less entertained.

[Christeyn Fremont · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute kids book

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A boy and his dog, Louie, share a passion, painting. One day that passion explodes across the pages of the book; readers and the boy are pleasantly surprised. I love this book.

Read my full review at:
http://bit.ly/x8LTpd