Spot Goes to School

Spot the Dog

by Eric Hill

Spot, the hero of a popular lift-the-flap series featuring colorful illustrations and interactive fun, has a wonderful day at school, where he learns to paint and sing and gets to show his bone at Show-and Tell. Reprint.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, School, Dogs, Fiction, Back To School, Animals

20 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Eric Gordon Hill OBE was a popular author and illustrator of children's picture books, best known for his character Spot the Dog. His works have been widely praised for their contributions to child literacy. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2008 New Year Honours.

Reviews

[Neko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, reading this book at school is very fitting thing except I've lost how many times I've read it and would rather another Spot book to read..haha

So, yes...Spot goes to school...Just like non fuzzy animals he experiences what it's like in (I'm guessing) Kindy. He gets to sing (though he hides because he claims he can't sing), dress up, show and tell, build with blocks and a few other activities that happen daily at Kinder.

Simple story, simple illustrations...A story that will keep little ones entertained especially if they already like Spot the Dog. When he's ask about his day at school he even answers like a kid might by just responding with a simple 'Okay' and nothing else which kinda gave me a chuckle cause SO much goes on but this is often a response you'll hear from kids in primary school.

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A firm favourite in our family over the years.
Well thumbed and very much loved. Highly recommended for younger children.

[Morgan S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my nephew, and he was very concerned as to why Spot wasn’t socially distancing.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved this series growing up so I wanted to revisit it with my kiddo. I'm hoping this book isn't indicative of the series (I don't remember this particular one) as it's a pretty big disappointment to me.
My problems are:
- Spot says "I can't sing" which is fine except it's not addressed? Which is a weird line and bad takeaway to have in this dialog sparse book as the character hides from his perceived inadequacy.
- Dress-up clothes are a stereotypical Native American feather headband and a British Honor Guard hat? Obviously one is more problematic than the other but they're both really odd choices imo, even for an old book.
- Wrestling during story time and absolute paint mess chaos are the icing on the cake of "no thanks."

Hoping I find other Spot books are better, as I still love the dog and the flaps and have a ton of nostalgia for the series.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an extra book for story time as a special request. So Spot is still popular!

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Es racista.

[Jennifer B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable Spot book.

[Harkiran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in EYFS. The character spot is recognisable for the children to relate to. I showed them the front cover and the back cover the author and illustrator. The children followed spots day at school. they saw who took spot to school. What did spot do at school, he painted; he played in the playground; he didnt take part in music because he didnt like it. In the end, Spot doesn't want to leave school because he has so much fun. This book was a lot of fun, the activity for the children was to draw a picture of what they like to do at school. Was it the same as what Spot liked to do? The book had flaps that the children could turn over so that they were all involved in reading the book and all took turns al lifting the flaps.

[Mia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Opening the peek-a-boo flaps in this book with my 20-month-old charge was exciting. Under each flap was a little hidden surprise. Sadly, during music time Spot hides under a flap that, when lifted, reveals him saying, "I can't sing." No pre-schooler thinks he or she can't sing unless he or she is told that some people can't sing. Not being able to sing is a ridiculous idea that adults put into the heads of tiny children who may forever believe they lack an ability which they do not. Anyone who can make sound with their voices can sing and should! I would be happy to listen. No American Idol judge am I.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a fun and easy book for early readers. The lift the flaps are always popular at our house.

**Talking Points - Is it sometimes scary to do new things? There are tons of fun things to do in this world, and everything is new the first time you try it. What can you to that's new today that you think you might like?

[Mygsasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dog is afraid to go to school, but discovers that there is a site where you can have fun and make friends .
At the end will not want to go away and he will be happy telling his mother everything that has made there.
Good book for the beginner.

[Courtney Kilbourn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book because it encourages to have fun in school and make lots of friends. Many children will recognize the dog and listen, some may even want to be like Spot in the book and make new friends in school. If I teach young students this will be a book I read to them.

[Ruthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite spot book!!!!!!!!!!

[Zachary Johnston · Rating 1 out of 5]

Borrowed this classic and the first page in the school is a negative music moment where Spot is hiding because he ‘can’t sing’ - this is the only negative moment in Spot’s day at school.
I’m a musician and music educator and frankly this is undermines everything music does and can do. Perhaps Eric Hill had a bad experience but grow and show the best it can be.
I’ve edited the book to ‘I love singing!’
Edit: upon seeing other comments about Native American dress up it’s doubly a reason to move this out of publication. It’s dated.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic part of the Spot canon, and a classic of lift the flap literature which is a genre we are very invested in at the moment. Always great to have a book that encourages school attendance, and to see Spot and his pals is a treat.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice flap book.

[Hilarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to try to use my rusty Spanish. Ha! The pictures still made it easy for my daughter to follow the story. She really enjoyed it.

[Sevi Sather · Rating 1 out of 5]

Native American style dress as a costume. This book did not age well.

[Mehawish Batool · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Lara Bate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great board book where children can lift the flaps.

[Madame Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved to read these books at my local library when I was a child.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Maybe a little concerned about the indigenous dress up clothes (?) but other than that it's a sweet little pop-up book.

[Willow · Rating 5 out of 5]

School looks like fun! Willow xx (20 months)

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute book about Spot and his friends going to school. My children and I enjoyed it very much. Lovely pictures in bright colors.

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a lot of hoes, but we all know who my main chick is. Happy Birthday bestie♥ @

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spot starts hesitantly, but warms up to school in the end.

[Suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

My firstborn starts preschool soon so we’ve been reading about school. Spot has been great for talking about how school will be!

[Grandma M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will be cute before preschool. Or even sooner in anticipation of school.

[Illiana Amber]

how do i read this dumb book i wanna read it rn ugh stupid app