Spike in the Kennel

by Paulette Bogan

Spike is going to the kennel for the very first time. And it's scary! He's surrounded by dogs he doesn't know, given a shower and a shampoo, fed weird food, and then, worst of all, put in a cage to sleep. Poor Spike! But though at first he's worried that he might just die of homesickness, when the other dogs sneak out for a little late-night outdoor romping, Spike learns that making friends in a new place might actually be pretty fun after all. In fact, he might even want to go back for another visit! Family Life called Spike "a goofy-looking dog you've just gotta love". And in a review of Spike in the City, School Library Journal praised "the lively, engaging cartoonlike illustrations". In this delightful story about the first time away from home, Bogan's ever-expressive pooch Spike proves as irresistible as ever!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 21, 2001

Reviews

[Emma Longenecker]

Spike in the Kennel is a story about a dog named Spike, that has to stay in a kennel overnight. He is nervous from the beginning when his owner, Shannon, drops him off. Everything is new and different than what he is used to at home. He doesn’t like the food, he gets soap in his eyes during his bath, he feels lonely, and he hears scary noises at night. He finally makes a friend and plays outside with the rest of the dogs. When Shannon comes to pick him up in the morning he is excited to see her, but also sad to leave all of his new friends.

A few of the major themes in this book would be learning how to make new friends, the importance of kindness, and stepping outside of one’s comfort zone.

I read this book all the time when I was little because my aunt had given it to me as a gift. I always sympathize with Spike in the beginning because it’s scary going somewhere for the first time and not knowing anyone. When people are nice and invite you to play, you start to feel more comfortable and have more fun. Spike made one friend which led him to having a great time with the rest of the dogs. Whenever I read it, it makes me think of when I would go to a new summer camp and have to make new friends. By the end of summer camp, I would have all of these new friends that I didn’t want to leave.

I would recommend this book because it’s very relatable for kids in elementary school. It is an accurate representation of how simply being kind to others can help someone feel more comfortable in a new situation. This would be a great book to read to a kid who may be starting at a new school, or going off to camp. By reading this book they’ll see how Spike was nervous at first and wasn’t used to a new environment, but by the end he had so many friends and didn’t want to leave.

[Nancy Kotkin]

Simple story from a dog's perspective about his first ever overnight stay in a kennel. Illustrations depict dogs roaming about everywhere and lounging on the counters inside the kennel, which is not the least bit realistic. The dogs all play outside together, regardless of size, without any human supervision - again giving a false impression. Story is a bit too simple, even for a picture book, but may appeal to dog-lovers. Endpapers are adorable.

[Sarah]

Spike stays at a kennel for the first time (we assume his owner had to go away for some time.) This would be cute for a child to read to his or her dog.

[The Brothers]

Shannon leaves Spike in a kennel over night. At first Spike doesn't like it at all, but soon he discovers there is fun to be had.

Cute illustrations.