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The Juggling Pug

A lighthearted juggling primer for kids shares the adventures of a loveable pug whose mischievous antics and juggling prowess render him the talk of the town.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 2, 2008

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About the author

Sean Bryan

15 books10 followers

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5 stars
80 (39%)
4 stars
50 (24%)
3 stars
51 (25%)
2 stars
18 (8%)
1 star
5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for Aimee Dars.
1,104 reviews101 followers
November 1, 2018


Being a pug lover, I had to read The Juggling Pug. In the book, written for children ages three to six, a talented pug learns to juggle. He and his town become famous. But pug is naughty, destroying homes, digging on floors, and pooping on carpet. Since kids get such a kick out of laughing at bodily functions, I’m sure that will amuse young readers!

One day, a girl lost her patience and declared to the town that no matter how good he was for the town, they should get rid of him because he is so troublesome. Pug begged forgiveness and promised to change his ways, but he can't resist pooping on his friend Doug’s carpet.

The illustrations are great, and it would be fun to discuss with a young reader how many different things pug juggles. I am conflicted about the story itself. It seems draconian to expel pug without some coaching. Then when pug gets a reprieve, his promises are false and he doesn't even try to be more well-behaved.

Insofar as a kid is exposed to the book without any critical analysis, they may come away internalizing some poor messages. However, if the reader uses the story as a teaching moment, then the book can be a springboard for discussing respect for others and their property as well as consequences of bad behavior.

...aka darzy... | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Profile Image for Gwen.
485 reviews1 follower
January 26, 2018
Filled with rhymes. Quick story about a pug who can juggle but then it kind of just goes to his head and he pushes buttons of everyone in town until one girl hits her breaking point and makes the Pug realize what he's doing and how he needs to change for the better.
1 review
July 2, 2018
Awesome

It was more likely for kids 6 and under but really funny🐱🐱🐱🐱🤹🏻‍♀️🤹🏻‍♀️🤹🏻‍♀️🤹🏻‍♀️🤹🏻‍♀️🤹🏻‍♀️🤹🏻‍♀️🤹🏻‍♀️🤹🏻‍♀️🤹🏻‍♀️🤹🏻‍♀️🤹🏻‍♀️🤹🏻‍♀️🤹🏻‍♀️🤹🏻‍♀️🌭🌮🌮🌮🌮🌮🌮 very great if 6 and under so read
Profile Image for Jennifer.
5,322 reviews65 followers
November 14, 2024
A pug who learns to juggle makes his town famous so they put up with all his misbehavior. When they've finally had enough of his shenanigans, he promises to change. But, will he? I enjoyed this book until the last spread. If I use it in story time, I'll skip the last couple pages.
Profile Image for Boom!.
247 reviews2 followers
January 26, 2019
Cute but gross humor. It is an everyday battle to get my kids not to run around screaming poop and fart, so when poop pops up in a text, it irks me. My kids did enjoy this book.
18 reviews
October 8, 2020
Funniest book I have read in a long time! I read it with a first grader and she says it doesn't bring a good message. But she admits that it's funny.
Profile Image for Rachel.
2,839 reviews61 followers
August 25, 2009
Seeing as I loved the other three books that Sean Bryan wrote and Tom Murphy illustrated, I decided to see if I could find this book. I finally got a hold of a copy. Great and funny rhyming book, for kids and the adults reading it to them. Everything is great for the juggling pug, even with some of his misadventures, the townspeople still love him. Until one day, a girl says enough and decides she has had enough of the pug, and wants to get rid of him. The pug comes and apologizes and everything is alright again. My husband thought the book reminded him of our dog. Recommended for ages 1-6, 4 stars.
Profile Image for Ariel Cummins.
819 reviews18 followers
September 27, 2012
The juggling pug is so impressive that people are willing to ignore his pooping and burping. Until they aren't! A short little story that has a definite arc, and is very silly.

The art is a bit sparse, and almost Peanut-like.

Written in verse, and including pooping on a rug, this book is sure to be a hit at any storytime.
Profile Image for Maria.
4,798 reviews116 followers
May 12, 2016
This pug started juggling just for a hug... and it is amazing all things that this rhyming pooch can do.

Why I started this book: I loved A Bear and His Boy and was eager to purchase the rest of Bryan's books for the library.

Why I finished it: Another fun book for Story Time.
Profile Image for Emily.
13 reviews2 followers
August 24, 2009
A must have for any family with a pug family member. This is a staple on our night stand. The author definitely captures the adventures that only a family with a pug have the pleasure to experience!
Profile Image for Brian Sendelbach.
Author 10 books8 followers
May 28, 2012
My favorite children's book. My son's favorite children's book. The unrepentancy* (*probably not a word) of the pug is what gets me, but my son likes the pooping-on-the-rug part. A Caldecott Award winner in some twisted, better, alternate universe...
Author 1 book99 followers
October 2, 2014
This book has a very Dr. Seuss-esque feel to it because it has simple rhymes and a story that resolves itself...kind of...at the end. Some might find it funny, but it didn't strike a strong positive chord with me.
Profile Image for Marianna.
144 reviews48 followers
June 18, 2008
This has become Noah's all time favorite. He want's it read over and over again and laughs histarically. It really is quite funny, I have to admit ;)
Profile Image for Shannon.
12 reviews1 follower
July 16, 2008
The author obviously knows his pug.
Profile Image for Angie.
310 reviews
July 17, 2008
I laughed out loud at the end of this book! Is it bad that I find things that have to do with "poop" in kids books completely histerical? I think I am 5 years old, not almost 30....it is fanciful!
Profile Image for Bailey.
142 reviews
November 9, 2008
How can a book involving a pug pooping not once, but TWICE on a rug, be anything but amazing? The illustrations are freaking adorable.
Profile Image for Jamie.
Author 123 books110 followers
July 5, 2009
That part where the pug lays on the couch and burps? It's funny because it's true.
Profile Image for Richard.
1,674 reviews60 followers
May 1, 2012
Just a few pages long, but that ending REALLY made me laugh.
Profile Image for Nina.
52 reviews29 followers
July 7, 2012
You just can't go wrong with a juggling pug. :)
Profile Image for Philippa Rae.
Author 7 books10 followers
July 15, 2013
Short snappy fun tale about a pug who likes to do his own thing. Amusingly told with strong simple rhymes. Very effective illustration work.
Profile Image for Patrick O'Grady.
59 reviews2 followers
July 27, 2013
Although the target audience is about three years old, this book really made me laugh. I guess the moral is never to be home when a pug knocks on your door.
Profile Image for Karen Dransfield.
705 reviews4 followers
April 15, 2015
This is about a pug that juggles, and how people let him get away with all sorts of naughty things because of it... and how that causes some problems. A fun rhyming story.
Profile Image for Beth Butler.
548 reviews1 follower
June 21, 2015
One of my favorite books to read to the kids. The touch of silliness and forgiveness is delightful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews