Dogs: From Predator to Protector

Science Comics

by Andy Hirsch

How well do you know our favorite furry companion? Did they really descend from wolves? What's the difference between a Chihuahua and a Saint Bernard? And just how smart are they? Join one friendly mutt on a journey to discover the secret origin of dogs, how genetics and evolution shape species, and where in the world his favorite ball bounced off to.

Every volume of Science Comics offers a complete introduction to a particular topic--dinosaurs, coral reefs, the solar system, volcanoes, bats, flying machines, and more. These gorgeously illustrated graphic novels offer wildly entertaining views of their subjects. Whether you're a fourth grader doing a natural science unit at school or a thirty year old with a secret passion for airplanes, these books are for you!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Science, Animals, Comics, Dogs, Childrens

128 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 2017

About the author

Andy Hirsch is a cartoonist living in Dallas, Texas. He is the author and artist of a stack of entries in hit series Science Comics from First Second Books, covering topics from dogs to geology to outer space. His most recent book, Good Boy, follows a mismatched boy and his dog as they overcome obstacles from bar jumps to anxiety dreams in the exciting world of canine sports. His work is consistently selected by the Junior Library Guild and has appeared on the American Library Association's Best Graphic Novels for Children reading list.

Reviews

[First Second Books]

In this volume we follow an adorable Cocker Jack named Rudy on a exciting trip to the dog park. There he introduces us to to his friends and works through key scientific principles from Gregory Mendel, Charles Darwin, and Dmitir Belyaev to explain dog taxonomy, origin, genetic makeup, and much more!

[Diz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good introduction to the science of dogs for kids. Things that are covered are genetics, breeding, dog behavior and senses, and the domestication of dogs. It leans heavily into science topics.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do like this series.

I learned so much from this, despite the fact that I've read one of the books they list for further reading, The Genius of Dogs: How Dogs Are Smarter than You Think.

I like that the introduction makes it clear how important it is to use science to gain a better understanding of dogs, rather than relying just on love to try to provide them with 'healthy, happy lives.' It's amazing how much we thought we understood turns out to be incomplete, and sometimes even completely wrong.

I like the explanation of genetics, evolution, and DNA. Well done. I almost understand chromosomes & Punnet squares now. I particularly appreciate learning that dominant and recessive aren't clear-cut, but that there are things like homozygous recessive genes, etc. etc. So wonderful that kids now can learn so much more than I could possibly have done. And the evolution of whales from Pakicetus is fascinating.

"Hairless dogs like the Xoloitzcuintli became hot-bodied pain relievers" illustrates a desert dwelling granny with that breed under her arthritic hands.

I have lots more bookdarts, but I'll stop there and just encourage you to read the book yourself. :)

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boy! They weren't kidding when they slapped "Science" on the cover of this book. I wasn't expecting a book about puppies to spend so much time on genetics. I have to admit, my eyes started to glaze over when Purnett squares started taking over about twenty pages in, along with phrases like "mixed, heterozygous pair" and "allelic interaction." But I knuckled down and got past that roughest bit and was rewarded with lots of fascinating facts and theories about how dogs became man's best friend and why they are just so darn amazing and wonderful.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting this to be more friendly for my younger students, but now I’m not sure if I would suggest it to anyone under fourth grade. Lots of great information about the history of dogs, but also tons of scientific information that will be beyond many of my early readers. Would love to hand this one to adults who claim graphic novels don’t have enough substance!

[Renee Gall · Rating 5 out of 5]

another GEM from the j graphic novel section at work 👌🏻

[Brandi Kutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great nonfiction graphic! It had a ton of information, and if you love dogs, it's a fun and interesting read. Genetics, evolution of breeds, and why things happen. Fantastic stuff and adorable illustrations!

[Benjamin]

How? Another parent pickup in the Science Comics series. Kiddo chose this one to read over Bats, Sharks, Birds of Prey, Periodic Table of Elements, or the Solar System. Maybe he thought dogs would be a cuddlier book?

What? Starts out cuddly, with a dog in a modern-day dog park, before jumping back in time to the self-domestication of dogs, explained via genetics (Mendel, Darwin, Belyaev's fox experiments); in fact, most of this book is genetics. I don't know how much kiddo got out of the discussion of homozygous pairs, etc.

After genetics, we get into a discussion of dog work types, followed by breeds.

Yeah, so? I enjoyed the deep dive into genetics and the discussion of inbreeding and problems; like I said, I'm not sure what the kiddo got out of it, but we'll see.

(Dear other parents: when you introduce your kiddo to something, do you ever wonder "will this be the thing that sets them on fire for a topic and sets their future in motion?")

[Comics Alternative · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://comicsalternative.com/comics-a...

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute comic explaining the evolution of dogs! I learned a lot about my own fur baby and his behavior.

[Maximilian Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book because it was very Very VERY informative. It had TONS of information in it. It was about the evolution of dogs. In this book a dog explained how inheritance worked. He gave examples with his family. He also went back in time. And the whole time he was chasing his ball.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not just a graphic novel. Science comics are full of interesting information, detailed illustrations, use of topic and more. This particular one teaches about genetics, adaptations, breeding and evolution particularly with dogs.

In this book we meet Rudy, a pet dog who visits the local dog park. Once there, he tries to play with his yellow ball. This ends up taking the reader through a history of canis lupus to canis familiaris. We meet several different breeds of dogs and how they came to be using genetics, evolution and adaptations. There is a lot of scientific detail within these pages. There is a lot of scientific vocabulary that is explained in the story as well as in the extensive glossary at the end of the book. This book is geared to older children, I would suggest 10 and up. It is a fun way to describe the process of evolution using dogs. The graphics are fun as well as informative.

This would be a great book to use when teaching about genetics, evolution, adaptations, natural selection, and breading. It should be in all libraries, school and public. It is a great resource to teach these topics in a fun way. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

[Adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't quite what I was expecting. Based on the subtitle I thought the book would be mainly, if not entirely, focused on how dogs transitioned from wild animals to domesticated. That is actually a small part of this comic, though that section is interesting and well done. The rest of the book is more general science about dogs - what breeds are and where they come from, a dog's senses and how they differ from a human's, dog behavior. There is a discussion of genetics that for me went a little too into detail and too far astray from dogs, but the rest of the book was totally dog-focused and I found it fun, interesting, and informative.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dog-lovers will enjoy this romp through a detailed scientific look at many facts and facets about dogs. In graphic novel format, one dog takes the reader along to explore whether or not dogs are descended from wolves, differences between breeds, and much more. The level of scientific detail regarding genes is thorough and accurate (as far as I could tell, although college biology was a long time ago). Because of the depth of science, this is not a book to browse; it must be read thoughtfully - or some readers may skim through the parts they do not understand and just try to figure out where the guide dog's ball went. A great scaffold or support for students learning about genetics and how evolution shapes species. May have limited appeal due to technicality of writing, although it is made as accessible as possible.
Grades 4 and up

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite entry in the Science Comics series thus far, and it's not just because I love dogs. To really understand dogs, Hirsch digs deep into the science of how dogs are made (genetics!) and why they initially latched onto us (history!). Plus, the framing story that follows a dog chasing a ball around the dog park is delightful and full of laughs. And the art! Each dog species is impressively drawn with anatomic accuracy, while also still being cartoony and fun.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is always awesome. And this particular one could be considered kid's best friend.

[Stacey Shapiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too much science needs more dogs

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://openbooksociety.com/article/s...

Science Comics: Dogs: from Predator to Protector
By Andy Hirsch
ISBN: 9781626727670
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Summary

How well do you know our favorite furry companion? Did they really descend from wolves? What’s the difference between a Chihuahua and a Saint Bernard? And just how smart are they? Join one friendly mutt on a journey to discover the secret origin of dogs, how genetics and evolution shape species, and where in the world his favorite ball bounced off to.

Every volume of Science Comics offers a complete introduction to a particular topic–dinosaurs, coral reefs, the solar system, volcanoes, bats, flying machines, and more. These gorgeously illustrated graphic novels offer wildly entertaining views of their subjects. Whether you’re a fourth grader doing a natural science unit at school or a thirty-year-old with a secret passion for airplanes, these books are for you! (Goodreads)

Review

I am always delighted to read a Science Comics book – I learn SO much while reading these comic books ☺. This title – Science Comics: Dogs: From Predator to Protector is well written and illustrated to catch the reader’s attention. The preface at the beginning of the book laid out all that the book would try to cover, which I found very informative.

This gem of a graphic novel imparts SO many pieces of interesting facts (some of which I did not even know). For example:

“Dogs are the most physically diverse species on the planet.”

“Dogs have 39 pairs of chromosomes, each with different information.”

Rudy takes the reader through a journey from 25,000 years ago to the present in demonstrating the evolution of dogs. The journey was well explained (as well as illustrated). Along the way the reader(s) is imparted with information about genetics, evolution, adaptations, natural selection, and breading – all in a very fun way. And in the end of Rudy’s journey, he once again returns to his owner for another ball toss.

The illustrations are just fantastic. I really, really loved them as did my younger reader ☺ The use of vibrant color throughout was great.

By far in my opinion (and with the limited number of Science Comic books that I have read – four as of now), this is the Science Comic book I found the most engaging for both young (though for those younger than 10 years old, more explanations may be necessary) and not-so-young alike, wonderfully illustrated and filled with so much information detailed in such a way as to keep my interest and that of my young one engaged throughout the whole book. I see this book as one that can be read over and over again as the young reader matures and has more advanced learning needs.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dogs are known as man’s best friend. A dog named Rudy is here to explain how and why that is.

Everyone loves dogs. Most people have known or grown up with dogs. But what do we really know about the animal we call “man’s best friend?” Science Comics has come up with the answer to that, by introducing a dog named Rudy who loves his person, chasing balls, and who can also travel through time.

Rudy greets the reader after arriving at the park. He starts out by explaining the relationship of dogs to wolves through taxonomy, the practice of naming and classification. The discovery of a ball sends him off on his journey through time, as he chases it back to 25,000 BP, to the dawn of dog history. From here, he follows the ball, going through the history of genetics and how genes are inherited. This moves into evolution and natural selection, and how the trait to be less scared of humans changed wolves’ temperament and appearance to become dogs. Through this domestication, dogs became the useful and faithful companions we see today.

The story starts out spending a lot of time on the science of genetics, going into detail starting with Mendel’s experiments with sweet peas, explaining genetic inheritance, and using punnet squares to show dominance. Rudy does his best to keep it interesting, but it is a lot of information, and it takes awhile to get through it as well as explaining the domestication process before it gets back to looking at dogs specifically.

Once it does, the story picks up, going over how different and extensive a dog’s senses are and why they sniff backsides. It also looks at dogs’ intelligence and how their basic predatory instinct was used by humans to turn them into herders and hunters. It then starts talking about breeds, coming back around to genes and artificial selection, and how breeds can have personality traits, but how a dog is raised has a bigger effect on their personality. It ends with looking at the way a dog communicates both with humans and other dogs.

Science Comics: Dogs: From Predator to Protector is a fun and entertaining look at these animals. It goes in depth into the science to explain how dogs came to be our companions, and that it’s more predisposed than learned. Older elementary and middle school students will find the science more interesting than younger readers, but readers of all ages will appreciate the information about dogs themselves. And Rudy does get his ball back.

[Jordan P · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that I am going to be reviewing is, Science Comics Dogs: from Predator to Protector, by Andy Hirsch. In this book is a dog named Rudy, he goes through history and explains information about dogs and their history. The book was very entertaining, the reason why is because you get to watch a dog explaining facts about his species history. It is also his journey about trying to get his ball from other dogs while explaining history. The book was also not as long as some books are, this book explains almost everything in 113 pages. As well as there not being a lot of words on almost all the pages.










Spoiler Alert!!!










You might be wondering how he goes through history. It all started when Rudy and his owner went to the dog park, while Rudy is there he gets to see his friends. Then he came up to his owner so she could play fetch with him, causing his owner to throw the ball far away. Resulting in him chasing after the ball so fast he travels through history. After he starts explaining the history about dogs in certain time periods, he is also trying to find his ball that his owner threw. This book is also very informative, explaining all the dogs' features and key sense of smell and a lot of different breeds from past time periods. While he's looking for it he faces many conflicts such as other dogs taking his ball, and cavemen throwing his ball away or hitting the ball away with their stone clubs. Eventually after chasing his ball for a while he begins to progress through early time periods all the way up to his current era. At the end he finally gets his ball after traveling through periods of history. Getting to see his owner again, and getting to walk back home. The pictures in this book are very neat and colorful popping out and giving life in the book. long complex sentences that younger audiences might not understand, and put them into simple sentences that kids can understand. The overall rating I will give this book is a 5/5. This will be a good book for ages 8 and up to read for informative graphic book.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rudy (a dog), is the narrator of this volume in the Science Comics series. He tells us that he is a "canardly" - you can 'ardly tell what breed. While at the local dog park, Rudy chases his favorite ball into the past. He explains to readers how dogs evolved from wild predators to tame companions and protectors (and also looks for his lost ball). His explanation covers topics like Linnaeus, Mendel, Darwin, Punnett squares, DNA, nature and nurture, the gene pool, and pretty much anything else that affects the adaptation of a species over time. Rudy gives examples of how a dog's senses work; the difference in what colors they can see compared to human eyesight, the way they can detect odors that are only 1 or 2 parts per trillion, or how far their hearing range extends. Breeds, dog shows, pedigrees, vocal communication and body language are all a part of Rudy's explanations. One fun fact he shares is that dogs and humans are two species that both continue to play even after they reach adult age.

This series follows in the tradition of the Magic School Bus and the Max Axiom books by sharing science concepts through a graphic format. In this case, the comic style illustrations display the different time periods Rudy visits as he traces the evolution of dogs, and readers can also see his determination to retrieve his ball. There are plenty of facts, and also helpful features such as a glossary, a list of books for further reading. One last appearance by Rudy is similar to the bonus scenes that show up during a movie's end credits. He urges readers to consider pet adoption and find a companion to take into their home. This book is an excellent introduction to the history of domesticated dogs, and offers enough basic facts to give readers a good place to start researching the topic more deeply on their own.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just so you know, this review was not written by the human who normally posts stuff here. This review was written by her dog.

Some of you may have enjoyed my previous review of _The Dog Master_, which made my tail wag. That’s right, humans, I’m back. I figured out the code to unlock the iPad and it has changed my life. This time I read a comic called Science Comics: Dogs. Man, I knew that was going to be a great book right when I saw the title. Because what topic could be more important than DOGS? (Global warming, maybe, but you humans don’t seem interested enough in that, now do you?)

Just in case you’re thinking this is “fake news,” let me remind you I’m a Border Collie, the most intelligent of dogs, and not only do I read, write, and post reviews, I also watch your Netflix when you’re at work. I mean, you don’t expect me to watch the dandelions grow all day while you’re gone, do you?

So on to the book. Science Comics: Dogs is full of interesting details on everything about a dog’s life. From the way a dog smells (Did you know we have two smellers? I bet you didn’t!) to the way humans affect dog genetics and evolution, this book has it all. Rudy, the dog who is your guide, loves ball, just like I do, and he’ll help you travel back in time to witness early dog-human collaboration, take you to Russia to observe Silver Fox breeding experiments, and even show you dog DNA. My human is a science teacher and she would do well to buy this book for her classes because everything a middle school life science student needs to know is in here. Heck, if I had a credit card, I’d buy her a class set. Then maybe she’d get home a little earlier and play more ball. If your human is smart, they’ll fetch this book from the bookstore before you can say WOOF.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a non-fiction comic book about dogs, in which the reader learns about the scientific name, the origin and evolution of dogs, facts about different genes and alleles, and even punnet squares. The reader also learns about artificial selection and the breeding of dogs and about how the environment and humans play a role in dogs' behaviors. The origins of certain breeds and genetic groups are discussed, with five major groups being presented, as well as the personality traits that fit within each of the five genetic groups. This comic book is full of information!

I enjoyed this comic book because of it's bright illustrations, easy to follow frames and panels, and also due to my interests in dogs. I thought the comic book format contributed to a higher interest level in the non-fiction material presented.

I would recommend this book to any child age 9 or older, or to younger children capable of reading the text, who love dogs or have an interest. Children who love non-fiction will appreciate all of the facts presented in this book. The facts are presented by a dog, which some children may enjoy and some may not. I think children reluctant to read non-fiction would find the dog's narration appealing, as well as the comic book format.

This book features a diverse range of dogs and goes into detail about them. The people who are present in the book appear to have a variety of skin tones, which is good for diversity. This is a fact-based book about dogs, so diversity is difficult to evaluate. However, from the information, I would say this is a good diverse pick.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi-Lo Non-fiction
Target Audience: 4-12th Grade

Summary:
This graphic novel addresses evolution, genetics, natural selection through the story of how dogs evolved from wolf-like animals to our beloved pets.

Strengths & Weaknesses:
Dogs approaches some very complicated subjects in an easy, narrative way. The scientific ideas flow naturally from one to the next, as the narrator (a dog named Rudy) explains different aspects of dogs' history and anatomy to the reader. Evolution and natural selection become easy to understand when explained through dogs. Using adorable, cartoon dogs is a good way to gain and keep the audience's attention. The author also makes good use of humor to keep the reading simple and entertaining.

Personal critique:
While this graphic novel might not be in depth enough for students trying to pass a Biology AP, it would a great introduction to genetics and evolution younger students or a gateway book for older students to understand the broader ideas presented. The explanations were really clear and concise and I really enjoyed the artwork.

Illustrations:
Color Illustrations .

Notable awards:
None

Lesson Planning:
This would be a great companion text for high school students in biology who need explanations of genetics and evolution at a lower reading level.

[María · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esto ha sido lo más divertido que he leído.
Soy amante de los perritos y aunque sabía un poco de la información que se daba, me ha encantado.
Y es que te lo explica super bien, los términos científicos se integran super bien en la historia y no se hace aburrido, porque nuestro personaje principal es mega divertido.

La historia es contada a través de Rudy, que es un perro muy sabio y que puede viajar en los siglos para mostrarnos su amor y obsesión por las pelotas, pero también de dónde vienen los perritos. Aunque la historia de estos suele ser más fuerte, se cuenta de una manera bien liviana.

No tenía ni idea de estas colecciones y OMG ahora las quiero todas, son educativas y divertidas, abarcan una gran cantidad de temáticas. Diria para quedar bien que se las regalaré a mis primos pequeños, pero la verdad... ¡Las quiero para mí! -Si, también se las prestaría a ellos-

Las ilustraciones están a otro nivel. Son unas monadas, tiernas y dinámicas. Mientras lo leía pensaba: "tanto trabajo" por la cantidad de detalles presentes.

De verdad te lo explica todo super sencillo y con muchos ejemplos, se los recomiendo leer, tanto si son fans de los perritos como si no, ya que se aprende mucho de genética básica.

Amiks, lo conseguí en mi lugar de excelencia: La -sagrada- biblioteca de Santiago

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun educational, cutting-edge scientific information!
I am very surprised with this book, scientific information about the origin of dogs is very well explained for children and adolescents. The part of genetics and evolution goes deep and touches enough detail to make clear the most important aspects. It was even educational for me, the latest research data on breeding and the discovery of behavioral traits associated with various morphological traits were unknown to me.
It also includes fun explanations about the vision of dogs, their ears, their barking, and their powerful smell that can detect diseases in humans. In their genes they have the ability to read human body expressions and respond to them like no other species, they actually communicate with us!
Our friendly playful friends are the most widespread mammal species on Earth along with humans for 5000 years, plus you'll also find information on how humans have created hundreds of breeds and traits about their body language to better understand your companion dog. Surely it is a species that will companion us when we go to live to the moon or other planets!
My gratitude to the Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review the book

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Science Comics are always fun as well as informative, and this one, focusing on canines, will be a hit with animal lovers. As a dog named Rudy heads outdoors with his human companion, he takes readers on a journey of discovery in which they learn about the bond between humans and dogs and how dogs evolved to the point they are now. It's a pretty entertaining way to learn about genetics and Punnett squares as well as evolution and natural selection. I'd often wondered about how breeders operate and the dangers of a closed population of a species, and I got several of my questions answered here. The use of a graphic novel format makes the information visual and easy to swallow while also amusing readers as Rudy keeps chasing that yellow tennis ball that he loves so much. The book takes Rudy and readers back to prehistoric times, makes a stop in the office of Charles Darwin, and also lands in Siberia in 1959 where Dmitri Belyaev is experimenting with silver foxes to learn more about domestication of animals. This is a slim volume, but I learned more for it than I did from some of my science classes in high school and college. I also have a whole new appreciation for dogs.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hirsch, Andy Science Comics: Dogs: From Predator to Protector, 120 pages. NON-FICTION/GRAPHIC NOVEL First Second, 2017. $20. Content: G.

This books delves into the science behind how dogs evolved from predators to pets. The first part of the book explains how DNA and traits works as well as natural selection and evolution. The middle of the book describes the five different senses of dogs with interesting facts and pictures. The last part of the book explains how the world has created different breeds of dogs.

This book is fascinating! I’m not a dog person, but I couldn’t put this book down. This book is science heavy with entertaining illustrations to explain the scientific processes. The vocabulary and depth of the content make this more appropriate for middle school and it would work great in a biology unit. The cover is appealing and I’m sure elementary kids would pick it up based on that, but once they started to read it I think they would get discouraged by the high reading level.

MS – ADVISABLE. Reviewer, C. Peterson.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Це цікава книжка для тих, хто любить собак. Вона незвична: її створено у вигляді науково-популярного коміксу. В центрі розповіді – головний герой пес Руді (джек-рассел-тер'єр) і його подорож в історію виникнення собак більш ніж 15 000 років назад.

В коміксі доволі багато йдеться про еволюцію собак шляхом керованого людиною відбору. Про генетику собак, про особливості їхньої будови та фізіології. А також поведінку, орієнтування у просторі та способи комунікації – з іншими собаками та людиною.

Книжка яскрава, сповнена гумору і водночас є науково точною. Дуже незвично, що в такому форматі (я маю на увазі комікси) подано доволі багато правдивої і цікавої інформації, частину якої я зовсім не знав.

Хоча для когось така значна кількість понять з генетики та закономірностей еволюції може бути заскладною.

Книжка мені дуже сподобалася. І формат, і робота ілюстратора, і особливо сам пес Руді, який протягом історії намагається знайти свій м’яч. Тепер мені хотілося б прочитати таку саму про котів

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books delves into the science behind how dogs evolved from predators to pets. The first part of the book explains how DNA and traits works as well as natural selection and evolution. The middle of the book describes the five different senses of dogs with interesting facts and pictures. The last part of the book explains how the world has created different breeds of dogs. This book is fascinating! I’m not a dog person, but I couldn’t put this book down. This book is science heavy with entertaining illustrations to explain the scientific processes. The vocabulary and depth of the content make this more appropriate for middle school and it would work great in a biology unit. The cover is appealing and I’m sure elementary kids would pick it up based on that, but once they started to read it I think they would get discouraged by the high reading level. This book is also reviewed on Kiss the Book blog.