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Ivan the Terrier
Ivan loves a good story.
Like that one about the three bears or those three gruff billy goats.
Where else can a dog find such
playmates
action
fun...
or a cookie?
Ivan's own good story lands him just where he loves to be.
In your lap.
Like that one about the three bears or those three gruff billy goats.
Where else can a dog find such
playmates
action
fun...
or a cookie?
Ivan's own good story lands him just where he loves to be.
In your lap.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 18, 2007
78 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
September 26, 2007
The cover is great, and the title, 'Ivan the Terrier' makes the deep down pun-loving part of myself giggle. (I think his name is up there with my favorite literary dog name - Nate the Great's pancake guzzling counterpart - 'Sludge'.) I think the art in 'Ivan' is a little wavery - some pages are better than others, but I think the idea's a lot of fun.
The narrator sets out to tell a familiar story, 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff', but Ivan can't sit still and bounds into the frame to disrupt the scene, yapping furiously. The narrator pleads with Ivan to behave but ultimately gives up and begins to tell 'The Three Bears', - to the same end. Ivan ruins story after by frightening the gingerbread man off his pan, and the three pigs out of their homes. Finally the narrator gives up and begins to tell a story about Ivan, who promptly wanders off. We then discover that, as dogs are wont to do, Ivan has lost interest and has passed out.
It's fun, and the familiarity of the stories disrupted by terrier anarchy seems like it would make for a good storytime read - and my goodness, who doesn't like seeing the three bears chased away by a tiny yapping dog?
The narrator sets out to tell a familiar story, 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff', but Ivan can't sit still and bounds into the frame to disrupt the scene, yapping furiously. The narrator pleads with Ivan to behave but ultimately gives up and begins to tell 'The Three Bears', - to the same end. Ivan ruins story after by frightening the gingerbread man off his pan, and the three pigs out of their homes. Finally the narrator gives up and begins to tell a story about Ivan, who promptly wanders off. We then discover that, as dogs are wont to do, Ivan has lost interest and has passed out.
It's fun, and the familiarity of the stories disrupted by terrier anarchy seems like it would make for a good storytime read - and my goodness, who doesn't like seeing the three bears chased away by a tiny yapping dog?
October 23, 2021
Ivan the Terrier is a very playful, silly story to read. The plot is very unexpected, as it is a collection of many other fairy tales combined into one story revolving around Ivan. Ivan is an adorable, attention seeking puppy who keeps on intruding on other fairy tales. He wants the attention of others and gets the attention by running or jumping into their scenes. The ending of the story is unexpected as it ends up being all about Ivan. Of course, Ivan yet again tricks us by falling asleep when it is finally his turn to be the central topic of the text. I would recommend this story to all due to its playful nature. It will definitely bring a smile to your face.
This story is a great example of a postmodern picture book. It has many metafictive devices throughout. Pantaleo discusses, "both postmodernism and metafiction include narrative fragmentation and discontinuity, disorder and chaos, code mixing and absurdity, as well as openness, playfulness, and parody." (pg. 325). The most prominent metafictive device in this text is the use of multiple narratives/stories. Every time Ivan jumps/runs into the setting, he disrupts the narrative and that leads to the narrative changing to a completely different story. These disruptions continue throughout the entire plot of the text in a very fun, playful manner. Since there are multiple fairy tales involved in this one story, the text has many examples of parody involved as well. One example of a parody in the text is, "once upon a time..." One of my favorite metafictive devices are demand images. The double page spread on opening 13 is an adorable picture of Ivan looking directly at the reader. Here he looks very sad, as if he is asking us to give him our attention and love.
Overall, this is an incredible postmodern picture book. All readers would have a smile on their face as they read it. I highly recommend it to all.
This story is a great example of a postmodern picture book. It has many metafictive devices throughout. Pantaleo discusses, "both postmodernism and metafiction include narrative fragmentation and discontinuity, disorder and chaos, code mixing and absurdity, as well as openness, playfulness, and parody." (pg. 325). The most prominent metafictive device in this text is the use of multiple narratives/stories. Every time Ivan jumps/runs into the setting, he disrupts the narrative and that leads to the narrative changing to a completely different story. These disruptions continue throughout the entire plot of the text in a very fun, playful manner. Since there are multiple fairy tales involved in this one story, the text has many examples of parody involved as well. One example of a parody in the text is, "once upon a time..." One of my favorite metafictive devices are demand images. The double page spread on opening 13 is an adorable picture of Ivan looking directly at the reader. Here he looks very sad, as if he is asking us to give him our attention and love.
Overall, this is an incredible postmodern picture book. All readers would have a smile on their face as they read it. I highly recommend it to all.
March 10, 2013
Ivan the Terrier by Peter Catalanotto follows Ivan as he enters and interupts one classic fairy tale after another during storytime.
Catalanotto's illustrations are renderred in watercolor and gouache. Touches such as a cat who see Ivan coming, and a disgruntled wolf, add to the humor. My favorite images are scared goats, spilled porridge, dropped bricks, kicked can, frightened couple, and drop it.
I enjoyed the title pun evoking the reputation of Ivan the Terrible to this overly energetic Jack Russell Terrier. I loved the precise nine arf's one each page! This reminds me of David Wiesner's The Three Pigs and of the classic interruptions in The Stinky cheese Man. Audience participation in the arfs should make this a storytime hit. This may work best with children who are familiar with the fairy or folk tales in the story. Recommended for school and public library collections. 4.5 stars.
For ages 4 to 8, dogs, humor, fairy tales, folk tales, interruptions, and fans of Peter Catalanotto.
Catalanotto's illustrations are renderred in watercolor and gouache. Touches such as a cat who see Ivan coming, and a disgruntled wolf, add to the humor. My favorite images are scared goats, spilled porridge, dropped bricks, kicked can, frightened couple, and drop it.
I enjoyed the title pun evoking the reputation of Ivan the Terrible to this overly energetic Jack Russell Terrier. I loved the precise nine arf's one each page! This reminds me of David Wiesner's The Three Pigs and of the classic interruptions in The Stinky cheese Man. Audience participation in the arfs should make this a storytime hit. This may work best with children who are familiar with the fairy or folk tales in the story. Recommended for school and public library collections. 4.5 stars.
For ages 4 to 8, dogs, humor, fairy tales, folk tales, interruptions, and fans of Peter Catalanotto.
May 3, 2011
Ivan keeps on interrupting stories. On the first page of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" he jumps into the story and chases away the goats. The same with "The Three Bears" and "The Three Little Pigs." I think my dog might do the same, given the chance. The illustrations are what make the book. The Ivan on the cover looks like such a sweet dog with those gorgeous brown eyes. But you can see all the trouble he is capable of causing by the startled looks on the faces of the book characters he surprises and chases. A fun book.
April 19, 2012
The title of this book is a pun intended and it has great connections to the historical figure of Ivan the Terrible. As the reader tries to listen to different stories, Ivan the terrier keeps interrupting! I would use this book to show my students that interruptions can be very frustrating to others and allow them to think again before they interrupt someone. I would also use this book to highlight the use of puns.
I really enjoyed this book when I first read it and I would recommend it to teachers to use for predictions, puns, and word play.
I really enjoyed this book when I first read it and I would recommend it to teachers to use for predictions, puns, and word play.
January 4, 2013
Super cute and funny picture book about a dog who just can't stop interrupting the stories that are being told. Lots of recognizable characters and stories in this one, from three billy goats to three little bears.
The art is okay, but not outstanding, with watercolors depicting the action faithfully. The star of this book is the concept, and the writing.
Awesome for a story time, especially with kids who will recognize the characters and understand that Ivan is interrupting.
The art is okay, but not outstanding, with watercolors depicting the action faithfully. The star of this book is the concept, and the writing.
Awesome for a story time, especially with kids who will recognize the characters and understand that Ivan is interrupting.
August 1, 2020
This is a fantastic read-aloud if you fully invest in it and talk to Ivan like he's a real dog. I've read this to a few preschool groups and they ate it up! One little boy even asked if we could read it again - always a good sign!
January 21, 2026
The right reader at the right moment might be in absolute stitches, but this book didn't do it for me. The cover offers no clues that you're going to take a journey through fairy tale land, and I'm not totally sure how Ivan got there anyway. I feel bad that he's scolded so often. If you want a more whimsical and logical wandering through fairy tales, try The Enchanted Forest: An English/Spanish Lift-a-Flap Fairy Tale Adventure.
February 8, 2020
As a dog mom to a very naughty, silly, and sweet dog I loved the plot as Ivan barks and disrupts common fairy tales. The illustrations were cute and I could see this being enjoyed in primary classrooms anywhere.
February 12, 2020
My children absolutely adore this book. Reading literature is so important to the development of a child's mind, and I cannot think of thing I would rather do then sit down to read to them in the evenings. Imagination and growth are so vital in those so young.
June 24, 2020
This book was really cute. Ivan kept interrupting Fairytales that were being told. He seemed a little out of control, then he eats most of the gingerbread boy. Then the storyteller tells a story about Ivan, and he decides to go to sleep.
April 21, 2021
The narrator tries to read us some fairy tales, but little Ivan the Terrier, true to his name, busts into each frame, yapping and jumping and forcing the narrator to (try to) start over. Expect lots of doggie sound effects if you're reading this aloud!
December 9, 2018
Ivan interrupts several fairy tales. He gets tired of getting yelled at so he goes to bed.
June 2, 2020
I love Ivan and how he keeps crashing different fairy tales.
July 29, 2020
So funny and reminds me of the terriers in my life.
March 24, 2021
Fun and lovable.
June 3, 2021
Adorable!
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December 10, 2021My niece loved it
February 24, 2022
Cute and fun. Great for a list or Storytime with a fractured fairytales theme.
February 1, 2024
Ivan, a very rambunctious dog, disrupts all the fairy tales. My daughter loved finding the little dog before he got to the stories. Fun illustrations and concept.
Read
January 20, 2026Library storytime
June 11, 2025
picture this: it’s 2012 and i’m in grade 7. during book exchange, i wander into the amphitheatre-shaped reading pit lined with children’s books. I grab one at random, and for some reason, my 12 year old self thinks it’s completely ridiculous and hilarious and i keep it under my desk. I check it out 2, 3 times. eventually, i have to return it, but i do so without looking at the title nor the author.
it’s 2013 and i’m in grade 8. I’m a library helper, shelving books at lunchtime. I try my hardest to find that one book about the dog who keeps interrupting stories. i have no luck.
it’s 2014 and i’m in grade 9, and i go back to my elementary school to say hi to my former teachers. while i’m there, i make a pit stop at the reading pit, searching tirelessly for that one book. i have no luck.
it’s 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023. I google, and i google, and i search. every year it’s a new round of looking: “children’s book with a dog that keeps interrupting the stories” or some variation of that very inquiry. no luck. year after year, i cannot find it.
suddenly i’m 23 and there’s a plague upon the lingering remnants of my 12 year old self.
it’s become somewhat of a myth between my best friend and i. did that book ever actually exist? am i misremembering so terribly that there’s no hope for me? I mean, it’s been over a decade, and i’m starting to fear the worst: i will have to live out the rest of my life without ever solving the mystery of the children’s book.
it’s 2024, a random tuesday, in fact. I’m covering a grade 5 class, messaging my sisters on my laptop in the back of the room. my sister brings up children’s books and the ones she reads to her two young children. I mention my children’s book, the one i’ve been looking for but fear does not actually exist. it is 9:47 am, and she sends me a picture of an online preview; a single page. it’s familiar. i don’t let myself get too hopeful; it’s been 12 years of this failed search.
She sends me the cover and like a movie, a montage of forgotten memories race back through my mind and i know, for sure, that this is it. this is the book i’ve been tirelessly thinking about and searching for for 12 years, half my life. i tear up. i text my best friend. it is a tuesday, and it’s as if i’ve uncovered the lost city of atlantis. to me, though, this is: my atlantis, my king tut’s tomb, my dinosaur-killing asteroid impact crater.
a day later, it’s on my doorstep, my dear sweet sister having bought it for me with next-day shipping.
i am 24 and i feel 12 again, giggling to myself as i read this children’s book. i’m giddy, i’m atlas letting down the world, sisyphus keeping the stone at the top, tantalus getting a drink of water.
peter catalanotto, should you somehow stumble upon this: you have been my life’s biggest mystery. i, a humble person aged 24, have dedicated half of my life, 12 whole years, searching for this one piece of your work. you have caused me such intrigue, frustration, desperation, and self-doubt. you have added a layer to my life unlike anything i will ever experience again. you have made me more interesting, perhaps more annoying at times, but no less dedicated. i get to exhale now.
edit (10/06/25): in a full circle moment, I read this eagerly and enthusiastically to my own grade 7 class. they laughed at it. i giggled too. life is beautiful in many many ways
it’s 2013 and i’m in grade 8. I’m a library helper, shelving books at lunchtime. I try my hardest to find that one book about the dog who keeps interrupting stories. i have no luck.
it’s 2014 and i’m in grade 9, and i go back to my elementary school to say hi to my former teachers. while i’m there, i make a pit stop at the reading pit, searching tirelessly for that one book. i have no luck.
it’s 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023. I google, and i google, and i search. every year it’s a new round of looking: “children’s book with a dog that keeps interrupting the stories” or some variation of that very inquiry. no luck. year after year, i cannot find it.
suddenly i’m 23 and there’s a plague upon the lingering remnants of my 12 year old self.
it’s become somewhat of a myth between my best friend and i. did that book ever actually exist? am i misremembering so terribly that there’s no hope for me? I mean, it’s been over a decade, and i’m starting to fear the worst: i will have to live out the rest of my life without ever solving the mystery of the children’s book.
it’s 2024, a random tuesday, in fact. I’m covering a grade 5 class, messaging my sisters on my laptop in the back of the room. my sister brings up children’s books and the ones she reads to her two young children. I mention my children’s book, the one i’ve been looking for but fear does not actually exist. it is 9:47 am, and she sends me a picture of an online preview; a single page. it’s familiar. i don’t let myself get too hopeful; it’s been 12 years of this failed search.
She sends me the cover and like a movie, a montage of forgotten memories race back through my mind and i know, for sure, that this is it. this is the book i’ve been tirelessly thinking about and searching for for 12 years, half my life. i tear up. i text my best friend. it is a tuesday, and it’s as if i’ve uncovered the lost city of atlantis. to me, though, this is: my atlantis, my king tut’s tomb, my dinosaur-killing asteroid impact crater.
a day later, it’s on my doorstep, my dear sweet sister having bought it for me with next-day shipping.
i am 24 and i feel 12 again, giggling to myself as i read this children’s book. i’m giddy, i’m atlas letting down the world, sisyphus keeping the stone at the top, tantalus getting a drink of water.
peter catalanotto, should you somehow stumble upon this: you have been my life’s biggest mystery. i, a humble person aged 24, have dedicated half of my life, 12 whole years, searching for this one piece of your work. you have caused me such intrigue, frustration, desperation, and self-doubt. you have added a layer to my life unlike anything i will ever experience again. you have made me more interesting, perhaps more annoying at times, but no less dedicated. i get to exhale now.
edit (10/06/25): in a full circle moment, I read this eagerly and enthusiastically to my own grade 7 class. they laughed at it. i giggled too. life is beautiful in many many ways
April 28, 2016
This book has a simple story. The narrator attempts to tell simple traditional fairy tails but Ivan deliberately interrupts demanding his own story. Ivan stops the stories before they can even be told and creates a humor for the reader. After getting at Ivan for interrupting the narrator attempts to tell another story...but once again Ivan has other plans . Finally after his many attempts of trying to make the story about him, the narrator begins to try and tell a story of Ivan. Ivan then walks off the narrator asks whats is he doing. Ivan then goes to his bed and lays down. Ivan was tired after all his work so the narrator ends the story there and says goodnight.
This a great book for young children, it has them laughing out loud at Ivan. The bright illustrations are beautiful and simple. It shows Ivan up close and he comes walking through each story attempted to be told.
It is a easy read for kids. The pictures are what mostly tells the story, there are only a couple words to a page. This has children on there feet looking for clues in the illustration for when and where Ivan will reappear.
This a great book for young children, it has them laughing out loud at Ivan. The bright illustrations are beautiful and simple. It shows Ivan up close and he comes walking through each story attempted to be told.
It is a easy read for kids. The pictures are what mostly tells the story, there are only a couple words to a page. This has children on there feet looking for clues in the illustration for when and where Ivan will reappear.
February 24, 2016
In this story the author tries to tell a story about a goat but then the dog interrupts the narrator. So he goes on to tell another story after telling ivan no. And ivan continues to interrupt. This happens a couple times until the narrator starts to tell the story about Ivan and then ivan goes to sleep.
This book recognizes it is a book and that the narrator knows hes telling a story. Ivan the dog disrupts the narrator every time he tries to tell another story. It has different plots the narrator tries to tell multiple stories in the book. The stories he tries to tell are all well known stories which is called intertextuality. The playfulness of the words are shown by making some words larger and bolder. When Ivan is barking The "arf's" could be text or image. Its not really clear which one that is supposed to be. The words are not straight across they are all around the page. Especially when ivan is getting yelled at, showing chaos and uncertainty.
This book recognizes it is a book and that the narrator knows hes telling a story. Ivan the dog disrupts the narrator every time he tries to tell another story. It has different plots the narrator tries to tell multiple stories in the book. The stories he tries to tell are all well known stories which is called intertextuality. The playfulness of the words are shown by making some words larger and bolder. When Ivan is barking The "arf's" could be text or image. Its not really clear which one that is supposed to be. The words are not straight across they are all around the page. Especially when ivan is getting yelled at, showing chaos and uncertainty.
April 25, 2015
This is a fun story about a terrier named Ivan who enters and interrupts classic fairy tales during their story time session.
This story reminds me of how David Wiesner writes about the Three Pigs. The interruptions and puns of this story make it a great read. Teachers would have a kick out of this book if they are trying to teach their students all about predictions and word play.
The illustrations have been done with watercolor and gouache. The art goes along with the words of each page.
Overall, an awesome book for story time and kids will definitely recognize familiar characters and stories as well!
This story reminds me of how David Wiesner writes about the Three Pigs. The interruptions and puns of this story make it a great read. Teachers would have a kick out of this book if they are trying to teach their students all about predictions and word play.
The illustrations have been done with watercolor and gouache. The art goes along with the words of each page.
Overall, an awesome book for story time and kids will definitely recognize familiar characters and stories as well!
December 26, 2012
Ivan loves a good story.
Like that one about the three bears or those three gruff billy goats.
Where else can a dog find such
playmates
action
fun...
or a cookie?
Ivan's own good story lands him just where he loves to be.
In your lap!
Also, the illustrations are very good for reading aloud, with lots of close-ups of Ivan and of him running off in the distance. First-graders will enjoy it because they know well the classic tales Ivan interrupts... and will get the humor.
Like that one about the three bears or those three gruff billy goats.
Where else can a dog find such
playmates
action
fun...
or a cookie?
Ivan's own good story lands him just where he loves to be.
In your lap!
Also, the illustrations are very good for reading aloud, with lots of close-ups of Ivan and of him running off in the distance. First-graders will enjoy it because they know well the classic tales Ivan interrupts... and will get the humor.
April 9, 2015
IVAN! Terriers are known for being FULL of energy, and Peter Catalanotto's Ivan does not disappoint! Great story within a story book, especially of your kids already know Billy Goats Gruff, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the Three Little Pigs, or the Gingerbread Man. I suggest reading this aloud with a group of young children to get your giggle fix! "Ivan! Drop it!" is my favorite page, and I think that of the kids as well!
Read
April 27, 2016Ivan the Terrier by Peter Catalanotto is a charming book about a feisty terrier it follows Post-Modern format as the narrator includes the reader and in a sequential format but it does have a plot , however each time Ivan interrupts a new story begins. Throughout the book there is a playfulness with text and illustrations. This book is perfect for K-2nd grade, because it is an interactive book with Ivan the Terrier.
February 24, 2016
Ivan the Terrier by Peter Catalanotto is about a narrator trying to tell a well known fairy tale and Ivan the dog keeps interrupting! The characters keep getting mad because the story doesn't involve him. Finally they decide to just tell the story about Ivan because he keeps interrupting, and Ivan walks away to go to bed.
I thought the book was cute, and that young children would love this story. The book was well written and the illustrations were really good as well.
I thought the book was cute, and that young children would love this story. The book was well written and the illustrations were really good as well.
March 29, 2008
With his yipping and jumping, Ivan manages to terrorize the characters from Goldilocks, Three Billy Goats Gruff, and more storybook characters until finally the narrator gives up and begins a story starring Ivan himself.
I was disappointed by this one. I think I'd heard such good things that I was expecting hilarious, and it...wasn't. It was cute, but not as funny as I wanted it to be.
I was disappointed by this one. I think I'd heard such good things that I was expecting hilarious, and it...wasn't. It was cute, but not as funny as I wanted it to be.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews