If I had a Dog

by Juliana O'Neill, Laura Nikiel (Illustrator)

If I had a dog, I would play with it. If you had a dog, what would you do with it? What would it do with you?
This funny beginning reader is perfect for kids who think they want a dog. With 32 unique words, If I had a Dog, is part of the Reading Stars series and makes a great book for kids just starting out in their love of reading. Sample
If I had a dog, I would take it for a walk.
It would love to walk.
A dog would love to run.
It would want to run and run.

Genres: Childrens

26 pages, Paperback

Published February 14, 2018

Reviews

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If I had a Dog” is a sweet book with precious illustrations that teaches kids to read. With 32 unique words, the text uses the word “dog” as a theme, to encourage their interest. It also incorporates humor to keep things engaging for the youngest readers. 5/5

Pub Date 01 Jun 2018

Thanks to Xist Publishing and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.

#IfIHadADog #NetGalley

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells a story using 32 words paired with cute, colourful illustrations. In this story, the little girl imagines what she and a pet dog would do together. They would walk, run, play etc. I thought the humorous twist at the end of the book was cute. This is an engaging story for beginning readers with high frequency words repeated throughout. As another reviewer pointed out, the word drip was used when the dog splashed water on the little girl. I immediately wondered why the word splash was not used. The illustrations are simple, yet well done and can be used to help the reader decipher the text. There is a note for parents and caregivers at the front of the book to help them with using this book with their child. As part of the Reading Stars series, If I Had a Dog is designed for beginning readers to promote confidence in reading skills. New readers will feel pride in their ability to read and understand this story. A great book for a family library or a primary classroom. The publisher, Xist Publishing, generously provided me with a copy of this book to read. The rating, ideas and opinions are my own.

[Teresa Grabs · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I had a Dog is a cute beginning reader that follows a young girl and her pet dog as they go for a walk, run, and play. The illustrations were cute and the focus words were great for very young readers. Overall, while the book was nice, the ending didn't seem to fit the flow of the story and repeat enjoyment was lacking. Thank you BookSirens, the author, and Xist Publishing for the opportunity to read an eARC.

[Amy Ingalls · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a review copy for free from booksirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This review is from my granddaughter Aubrey who is almost 5.

I liked the pages but it was really short and that was the only thing I didn't like. The doggie was cute.

[Patricia Timbrook · Rating 2 out of 5]

Many youngsters (and maybe adults, too?) dream of having a dog. To many kids, it’s all about the OOHS and AWWES of the initial warm & cuddly part; or, it may be about the adorable small puppy stage; while, still, for other children, it’s because they’ve learned to love dogs through their own parents, siblings, or other grownups. But, SPLAT! when the dream becomes reality, most kids soon learn the meaning of the words pet-owner and responsibility, which can be a valuable lesson at a young age. In its 15 pages, IF I HAD A DOG, begins with a little girl’s daydreaming of having a dog, continues with what things she would do with her dog, and surprises the reader with a Tail-twisted, MEOW! ending.

Going beyond that book, find co-Authors Elizabeth Os’s and Toni Salami’s picture book version of IF I HAD A DOG. It uses simple art and short sentences for its Teaching Responsibility Series, from Logix Learning in 2015. Similarly, O’Neill produced IF I HAD A DOG for the educational market–the Reading Stars Program–a vocabulary format for beginning readers, that incorporates 50 unique words, i.e., am, walk, dogs, etc. into the story. When SCOUTing online for its title, IF I HAD A DOG, a number of books by authors & illustrators will pop up faster than a dog’s “Sit!”-for-a-treat trick. Some versions illustrate learning how to take care of a dog, while another version depicts the ups and downs of owning a dog. Whatever path someone TROTS to discover his or her own story of, IF I HAD A DOG, hopefully, he or she will kindly consider the mirrored scenario: IF I (sniff, sniff!) HAD A HUMAN. (Mrs. Patricia Ann Timbrook, PatSays, Children’s Book Reviewer, June 19, 2019)

[Stephanie (the nerdy princess) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from booksirens in exchange for an honest review

This was a quick cute book teaching children how to read. If your child just learned to read this book is for you!. it has 32 unique words that are repeated through out the book which helps build confidence in the child while reading.

a cute story about a girl and what she would do if she had a dog... I loved this little twist that the ending brought.

my 1st grader read this book with ease and my 1 year old daughter enjoyed hearing the story.

over all 2 thumbs up (a.k.a. 5 stars) from my children....

kid tested mom approved.

[Paul Franco · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is of a little girl who either wants a dog or doesn’t, mainly changing her mind because she likes to rest and not get slobbered all over.
The intro notes that this isn’t so much a book to be enjoyed for its story as much as to help learning to read. At the end is a list of words featured in the book, which the child now knows how to read.
The illustrations are done in a throwback style that at times is too cute, if that’s possible. You get that sense right from the little girl on the cover.
3.5 pushed up to 4/5

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had a dog features an engaging plot that beyond providing an interesting story helps children to understand the responsibility of having a pet too. It repeats the same vocabulary to help the amateur reader become familiar with the words. It also includes a helpful list of the new vocabulary incorporated in the book to help teachers and parents (or grandparents) with their kid´s reading skill. The images also help guide the kids along with the story and become acquainted with the story and vocabulary.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cynthia Gutzwiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great Level 1reader. That means it has an easy story with repeating words that are large enough to make them easier to follow along with your finger. There is a word bank in the back to go over before you start.
If I had a dog. I would take it for a walk. It would love to walk. A dog would love to run. It would love to run and run. What else would you and the dog do? Remember there is a good story wrapped around all the good words.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lindsay Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

***ARC received in exchange of an honest opinion***

If I Had a Dog was such a cute read! I love the bright colors and artwork. The simple sentences are perfect for kids learning to read on their own.

5 Stars!

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute illustrations and a fun way to teach kids how to care for a dog. A dog would need walks, food, water, love, and care. It really makes you consider if you can handle a dog.

Easy and quick to read.

[Elaine Ciarnau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple, great book for children to learn to read. Colorful pictures. I like the list of words in the back so children can go over them and in time read the book by themself.

[Poongothai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book for young readers. Colurful and bright illustrations.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a cute beginning reader. The illustrations are cute and the text is simple and geared for those learning to read.

[Aimee Dars · Rating 3 out of 5]

As part of the Reading Stars series, If I Had a Dog is designed for beginning readers to promote confidence in reading skills. The book tells a story using a limited vocabulary paired with delightful and colorful illustrations based on the principle that repetition of words will lead to mastery.

In this story, the narrator imagines what she and a pet dog would do together: walk, run, play, drink water, and more. At the end, there is a clever and humorous twist.

This books meets the goals of having an engaging story with words that a beginning reader can learn and use, and the illustrations are well-done.

On a side note, I was a little baffled that one of the less than fifty unique words in the story was “drip.” It seems that word won’t likely be encountered by a beginning reader, and I wondered why the author didn’t use “splash” instead.

Personally, I was a little disappointed about the message the book promotes regarding dog ownership.

Thank you to Netgalley and Xist Publishing for providing an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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[joyce w. laudon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part of a series for very beginning readers. The number of words is limited and those words are repeated within the text to offer reinforcement for young learners. New readers will feel pride in their ability to read and understand this story. If I Had a Dog is a written with a sense of humor that children will appreciate. Definitely recommended for the target audience!

[Reyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a girl who loves animals. She was praying since she was able to talk for a dog. We have had a dog for a year and this book made her smile. I recommend it for small children who are starting to read. I liked that it has the words they were able to read in the back of it. If you are a homeschooling parent this small book may be the right fit for you if they are just starting to read.