What do you think?
Rate this book
Dogbird
Woof! Woof! Woof!
When Alice chose a budgie for a pet, Mum and Dad thought it was the perfect pet - until they try to teach it to talk. For Dogbird will only bark. But its bark is to prove very useful indeed when Grandma becomes the target of burglars . . .
Colour First Readers are perfect for new readers and include notes be reading specialist Prue Goodwin, honorary fellow of the University of Reading.
When Alice chose a budgie for a pet, Mum and Dad thought it was the perfect pet - until they try to teach it to talk. For Dogbird will only bark. But its bark is to prove very useful indeed when Grandma becomes the target of burglars . . .
Colour First Readers are perfect for new readers and include notes be reading specialist Prue Goodwin, honorary fellow of the University of Reading.
64 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2009
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 22, 2024
I decided to pick up Dogbird for a quick, light read, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. This charming tale is perfect for younger readers or anyone looking for a feel-good story. The simplicity of the plot, combined with humor and heart, makes it a delightful read that is easy to enjoy. Paul Stewart manages to create a fun, quirky, and heartwarming story within just a few pages, all while keeping the reader engaged and entertained.
The main character, Alice, has her heart set on getting a pet, and she ultimately chooses a budgie, which she names Dogbird—although its original name is Bluey. What sets this bird apart from the usual chatterbox pet is that, unlike typical budgies who mimic human speech, Bluey only mimics the barking of dogs! This unexpected twist makes the story humorous from the start. It’s funny and slightly absurd, in the best possible way, that instead of learning to talk like its owner, this small bird insists on barking like a dog.
The development of the plot, though straightforward, is heartwarming. Alice shows her resourcefulness and care, not just for Dogbird, but also for her grandmother. When a burglar targets Grandma's house, Bluey's unique barking talent turns out to be more useful than anyone ever anticipated. Alice finds a perfect solution that benefits everyone—her pet, her family, and even her grandmother.
In the end, Dogbird, or Bluey, becomes more than just a funny bird that barks—he becomes a key character in keeping Grandma safe. The image of a tiny budgie scaring off burglars by barking like a dog is not only humorous but also uplifting. The way Alice navigates the situation shows a nice touch of responsibility and problem-solving, which adds a positive, inspiring message for young readers.
The story’s lighthearted tone, combined with Tony Ross’s lively and quirky illustrations, enhances the fun and playful nature of the book. Ross’s illustrations complement the whimsical story perfectly, adding visual charm to the humorous scenes, like when Bluey starts barking or when he successfully chases away the burglars. The drawings help bring the characters and their emotions to life, giving young readers a visual feast to go along with the story.
In summary, Dogbird is a short yet engaging read that balances humor with heartfelt moments. The blend of Paul Stewart’s storytelling and Tony Ross’s illustrations makes this a memorable, fun, and accessible book for young readers. The themes of love, loyalty, and thinking outside the box resonate, making it more than just a funny story about a barking budgie. It’s a tale that leaves you smiling, with a sense of warmth and satisfaction.
The story begins with Alice, a young girl, choosing a budgie as her new pet. At first, everything seems ideal—Mum and Dad think it’s the perfect choice. Alice names her budgie Bluey, and like most people with pet birds, she hopes to teach him to mimic speech. But to everyone’s surprise, Bluey refuses to learn words and instead picks up the sound of dogs barking! This unique quirk earns him the nickname "Dogbird."
As the story unfolds, Bluey’s barking becomes the center of the family’s amusement, though it’s a bit of a disappointment that he won’t talk like a normal budgie. However, Alice’s love for Bluey never wavers, and she comes to appreciate his peculiar talent.
The heart of the story emerges when Alice’s grandmother becomes the target of burglars. With Grandma living alone, the situation is concerning. However, in a clever twist, Dogbird’s barking proves to be the perfect deterrent for the burglars. Hearing what they believe to be a ferocious dog, the thieves are scared away before they can harm Grandma or steal anything.
Thanks to Bluey’s unusual skill, Grandma is safe, and the story ends on a high note. Bluey is no longer just a quirky pet—he’s a hero. He continues to bark whenever he likes, and the family, especially Grandma, is grateful for his presence.
This short, humorous, and heartwarming story leaves readers with a positive message about embracing uniqueness and thinking creatively to solve problems.
The main character, Alice, has her heart set on getting a pet, and she ultimately chooses a budgie, which she names Dogbird—although its original name is Bluey. What sets this bird apart from the usual chatterbox pet is that, unlike typical budgies who mimic human speech, Bluey only mimics the barking of dogs! This unexpected twist makes the story humorous from the start. It’s funny and slightly absurd, in the best possible way, that instead of learning to talk like its owner, this small bird insists on barking like a dog.
The development of the plot, though straightforward, is heartwarming. Alice shows her resourcefulness and care, not just for Dogbird, but also for her grandmother. When a burglar targets Grandma's house, Bluey's unique barking talent turns out to be more useful than anyone ever anticipated. Alice finds a perfect solution that benefits everyone—her pet, her family, and even her grandmother.
In the end, Dogbird, or Bluey, becomes more than just a funny bird that barks—he becomes a key character in keeping Grandma safe. The image of a tiny budgie scaring off burglars by barking like a dog is not only humorous but also uplifting. The way Alice navigates the situation shows a nice touch of responsibility and problem-solving, which adds a positive, inspiring message for young readers.
The story’s lighthearted tone, combined with Tony Ross’s lively and quirky illustrations, enhances the fun and playful nature of the book. Ross’s illustrations complement the whimsical story perfectly, adding visual charm to the humorous scenes, like when Bluey starts barking or when he successfully chases away the burglars. The drawings help bring the characters and their emotions to life, giving young readers a visual feast to go along with the story.
In summary, Dogbird is a short yet engaging read that balances humor with heartfelt moments. The blend of Paul Stewart’s storytelling and Tony Ross’s illustrations makes this a memorable, fun, and accessible book for young readers. The themes of love, loyalty, and thinking outside the box resonate, making it more than just a funny story about a barking budgie. It’s a tale that leaves you smiling, with a sense of warmth and satisfaction.
The story begins with Alice, a young girl, choosing a budgie as her new pet. At first, everything seems ideal—Mum and Dad think it’s the perfect choice. Alice names her budgie Bluey, and like most people with pet birds, she hopes to teach him to mimic speech. But to everyone’s surprise, Bluey refuses to learn words and instead picks up the sound of dogs barking! This unique quirk earns him the nickname "Dogbird."
As the story unfolds, Bluey’s barking becomes the center of the family’s amusement, though it’s a bit of a disappointment that he won’t talk like a normal budgie. However, Alice’s love for Bluey never wavers, and she comes to appreciate his peculiar talent.
The heart of the story emerges when Alice’s grandmother becomes the target of burglars. With Grandma living alone, the situation is concerning. However, in a clever twist, Dogbird’s barking proves to be the perfect deterrent for the burglars. Hearing what they believe to be a ferocious dog, the thieves are scared away before they can harm Grandma or steal anything.
Thanks to Bluey’s unusual skill, Grandma is safe, and the story ends on a high note. Bluey is no longer just a quirky pet—he’s a hero. He continues to bark whenever he likes, and the family, especially Grandma, is grateful for his presence.
This short, humorous, and heartwarming story leaves readers with a positive message about embracing uniqueness and thinking creatively to solve problems.
December 2, 2021
Lucu banget sih ni buku. Tentang burung beo yang bisanya menggonggong :D Tapi karena di rumah Alice sudah ada 3 anjing (yang ngajarin si beo menggonggon, obviously) maka rasanya seperti ada 4 anjing di rumah tersebut.
Saat ayah hendak mengembalikan si burung beo ke tempat penjualan hewan peliharaan, Alice mendapat ide cemerlang untuk mempertahankannya.
Idenya out of the box banget ini buku. :)) Love it!
Saat ayah hendak mengembalikan si burung beo ke tempat penjualan hewan peliharaan, Alice mendapat ide cemerlang untuk mempertahankannya.
Idenya out of the box banget ini buku. :)) Love it!
January 22, 2021
Fun story.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews