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Bone Dog
One of School Library Journal’s Best Picture Books of 2011
One of Horn Book’s Best Picture Books of 2011
Ghost dogs and skeletons in a tall tale with a tender heart from the Caldecott Medal-winning creator of My Friend Rabbit.
Gus doesn't feel like doing much after his dog Ella dies. He doesn't really even feel like dressing up for Halloween. But when Gus runs into a bunch of rowdy skeletons, it's Ella--his very own Bone dog--who comes to his aid, and together they put those skeletons in their place. A book about friendship, loss, and a delightfully spooky Halloween.
One of Horn Book’s Best Picture Books of 2011
Ghost dogs and skeletons in a tall tale with a tender heart from the Caldecott Medal-winning creator of My Friend Rabbit.
Gus doesn't feel like doing much after his dog Ella dies. He doesn't really even feel like dressing up for Halloween. But when Gus runs into a bunch of rowdy skeletons, it's Ella--his very own Bone dog--who comes to his aid, and together they put those skeletons in their place. A book about friendship, loss, and a delightfully spooky Halloween.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published July 19, 2011
2 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
About the author
Eric Rohmann
39 books67 followersEric Rohmann won the Caldecott Medal for My Friend Rabbit, and a Caldecott Honor for Time Flies. He is also the author and illustrator of Bone Dog, Clara and Asha, A Kitten Tale, and The Cinder-Eyed Cats, among other books for children. He has illustrated many other books, including Last Song, based on a poem by James Guthrie, and has created book jackets for a number of novels, including His Dark Materials, by Philip Pullman.
Rohmann was born in Riverside, Illinois in 1957. He grew up in Downers Grove, a suburb of Chicago. As a boy, he played Little League baseball, read comic books, and collected rocks and minerals, insects, leaves, and animal skulls.
Rohmann has his BS in Art and an MS in Studio Art from Illinois State University, and an MFA in Printmaking/Fine Bookmaking from Arizona State University. He also studied Anthropology and Biology. He taught printmaking, painting, and fine bookmaking at Belvoir Terrace in Massachusettes and introductory drawing, fine bookmaking, and printmaking at St. Olaf College in Minnesota. He lives in a suburb of Chicago.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/ericro...
Rohmann was born in Riverside, Illinois in 1957. He grew up in Downers Grove, a suburb of Chicago. As a boy, he played Little League baseball, read comic books, and collected rocks and minerals, insects, leaves, and animal skulls.
Rohmann has his BS in Art and an MS in Studio Art from Illinois State University, and an MFA in Printmaking/Fine Bookmaking from Arizona State University. He also studied Anthropology and Biology. He taught printmaking, painting, and fine bookmaking at Belvoir Terrace in Massachusettes and introductory drawing, fine bookmaking, and printmaking at St. Olaf College in Minnesota. He lives in a suburb of Chicago.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/ericro...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
October 6, 2016
Read this with my students today! It was really good! They really enjoyed it :)
December 3, 2011
Points for: trying something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, for being Eric Rohmann and drawing awesome dogs, for the parchment overlay on the title page.
Points off for: CREEPING ME OUT. "You've got guts, kid...BUT NOT FOR LONG!" Yikes! I can't imagine a kid who would be comforted by the promise that my dead dog would reappear as a skeleton, even if it was in an hour of need; but maybe I'm lacking in imagination.
A little too weird, I think for preschoolers, but a little two sweetly illustrated for the "Wolves in the Walls" crowd.
Addendum 9/16:
OK, after Kara told me she would have loved this as a kid, I told her I'd come back to it and see what I thought. Also, my 10yo daughter/review partner zipped through it and said, "That's cute!" So what do I know?
So: Looking at it again, I can see how Rohmann has rounded out his skeleton bones. They must have all died of scurvy, but the curvy lines and their smiles and their lifted eyebrows do combine to make the skeletons feel less threatening than they might.
But the page where they say "You've got guts...but not for long!" and all you can see is their long shadows stretching toward Gus...I still think that's creepy. But, immediately Ella arrives, and immediately Gus recognizes her, so perhaps the tension doesn't build too high or too long.
I would still never do this in storytime, ever! And I'm not sure I'd give it out as a grief book for a kid who's lost a pet. But for someone who's fascinated by skeletons, or who asks for a scary story, sure, I think it would work.
I bumped up my stars from two to three. Can't wait to see what the Calling Caldecott folks have to say about it, either!
Points off for: CREEPING ME OUT. "You've got guts, kid...BUT NOT FOR LONG!" Yikes! I can't imagine a kid who would be comforted by the promise that my dead dog would reappear as a skeleton, even if it was in an hour of need; but maybe I'm lacking in imagination.
A little too weird, I think for preschoolers, but a little two sweetly illustrated for the "Wolves in the Walls" crowd.
Addendum 9/16:
OK, after Kara told me she would have loved this as a kid, I told her I'd come back to it and see what I thought. Also, my 10yo daughter/review partner zipped through it and said, "That's cute!" So what do I know?
So: Looking at it again, I can see how Rohmann has rounded out his skeleton bones. They must have all died of scurvy, but the curvy lines and their smiles and their lifted eyebrows do combine to make the skeletons feel less threatening than they might.
But the page where they say "You've got guts...but not for long!" and all you can see is their long shadows stretching toward Gus...I still think that's creepy. But, immediately Ella arrives, and immediately Gus recognizes her, so perhaps the tension doesn't build too high or too long.
I would still never do this in storytime, ever! And I'm not sure I'd give it out as a grief book for a kid who's lost a pet. But for someone who's fascinated by skeletons, or who asks for a scary story, sure, I think it would work.
I bumped up my stars from two to three. Can't wait to see what the Calling Caldecott folks have to say about it, either!
September 24, 2015
”A promise made under a full moon cannot be broken.”
Bone Dog by Eric Rohmann had my heart and smile at the title page! I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but this book possesses a brilliant introduction to this heartfelt story about the loss of a pet. I adore stroke-of-genius book designs!
This is a tale told on Halloween night filled with skeletons, laughs, loyalty, and shivers. The pages hold a warm, but crisp autumn feel with a lively dancing skeleton energy that pulled me right into Gus and Ella’s adventure. Their friendship and promise touched my heart. Plus there is something special about a skeleton calling someone a “numbskull” that tickles my funny bone! :)
I highly recommend this adorable, spooky and touching tale about friendship and loyalty. Ella and Gus show readers what friends are truly made out of underneath!
p.s. Halloween picture books are a huge weakness of mine! They are fun all year round!
5/25/12
Bone Dog by Eric Rohmann had my heart and smile at the title page! I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but this book possesses a brilliant introduction to this heartfelt story about the loss of a pet. I adore stroke-of-genius book designs!
This is a tale told on Halloween night filled with skeletons, laughs, loyalty, and shivers. The pages hold a warm, but crisp autumn feel with a lively dancing skeleton energy that pulled me right into Gus and Ella’s adventure. Their friendship and promise touched my heart. Plus there is something special about a skeleton calling someone a “numbskull” that tickles my funny bone! :)
I highly recommend this adorable, spooky and touching tale about friendship and loyalty. Ella and Gus show readers what friends are truly made out of underneath!
p.s. Halloween picture books are a huge weakness of mine! They are fun all year round!
5/25/12
October 25, 2025
Picture books don't often win recognition by the Newbery committee; at least, they haven't since the introduction of the Caldecott Medal in 1938, which provided a separate award for authors and illustrators of each year's most distinguished picture books. A few picture books have flown under the radar to take a Newbery Honor, but not many won the Medal. After reading Bone Dog, I concluded I had just finished a Newbery-worthy book.
Picture books, for what they are as stories generally designed for a younger crowd than standard middle-grade literature, tend to be less emotionally impactful and poignant than most junior novels. Of course, that isn't always the case, as Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig, Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs and Now One Foot, Now the Other by Tomie dePaola, Mama's Right Here by Liza Baker and a host of others demonstrate quite convincingly. To affect readers on a deeply emotional level in such short stories can't be easy, but when a truly profound picture book grabs one's heart it is an unforgettable experience. and few do so more completely than Bone Dog.
In the opening sentences, which harmonize with tenderly drawn pictures of a boy named Gus having fun with his dog, Ella, and then sitting quietly side by side on a hill watching the moon at night, we hear Ella say to Gus that she's an old dog and won't be around forever, but that even after she's gone she promises to always be with him; and, she adds, a promise made beneath the light of a full moon can never be broken.
When the time comes for Ella to be drawn into eternity's grasp, Gus is left saddened by the loss of his old friend. He doesn't really feel like doing much of anything anymore, but he still goes about his regular business of school and chores around the house, and when Halloween rolls around he goes trick-or-treating despite the lingering sadness in his heart. The night will prove to be a frightening and adventurous one for Gus, one from which he may need rescue by an unexpected ally...one who never forgot the promise made to a friend beneath a full moon one quiet night.
The more I reflect on this book, the more powerfully the story affects me. Eric Rohmann has always been an extraordinary illustrator, capable of unique artistic accomplishments that no one else could ever duplicate, but in my mind Bone Dog is, by far, his greatest book. The synergy of emotional depth and visually striking design is absolutely incredible, in either aspect one of the best picture books that I have ever read. Bone Dog may not have won a Newbery for 2012, but at the very least I believe that it would have been a deserving recipient. It is a story that will remain with me forever, and I don't hesitate to give it three and a half stars.
Picture books, for what they are as stories generally designed for a younger crowd than standard middle-grade literature, tend to be less emotionally impactful and poignant than most junior novels. Of course, that isn't always the case, as Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig, Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs and Now One Foot, Now the Other by Tomie dePaola, Mama's Right Here by Liza Baker and a host of others demonstrate quite convincingly. To affect readers on a deeply emotional level in such short stories can't be easy, but when a truly profound picture book grabs one's heart it is an unforgettable experience. and few do so more completely than Bone Dog.
In the opening sentences, which harmonize with tenderly drawn pictures of a boy named Gus having fun with his dog, Ella, and then sitting quietly side by side on a hill watching the moon at night, we hear Ella say to Gus that she's an old dog and won't be around forever, but that even after she's gone she promises to always be with him; and, she adds, a promise made beneath the light of a full moon can never be broken.
When the time comes for Ella to be drawn into eternity's grasp, Gus is left saddened by the loss of his old friend. He doesn't really feel like doing much of anything anymore, but he still goes about his regular business of school and chores around the house, and when Halloween rolls around he goes trick-or-treating despite the lingering sadness in his heart. The night will prove to be a frightening and adventurous one for Gus, one from which he may need rescue by an unexpected ally...one who never forgot the promise made to a friend beneath a full moon one quiet night.
The more I reflect on this book, the more powerfully the story affects me. Eric Rohmann has always been an extraordinary illustrator, capable of unique artistic accomplishments that no one else could ever duplicate, but in my mind Bone Dog is, by far, his greatest book. The synergy of emotional depth and visually striking design is absolutely incredible, in either aspect one of the best picture books that I have ever read. Bone Dog may not have won a Newbery for 2012, but at the very least I believe that it would have been a deserving recipient. It is a story that will remain with me forever, and I don't hesitate to give it three and a half stars.
July 4, 2017
Sweet yet creepy this book is a wonderful book for Halloween....
The author takes you into the life of a little boy who is getting ready to lose his beloved pooch who is very wise. A touching story of friendship this will be one book that is easy to read while holding a bit of a poetic twist to the words.
At the same time the author has fun with the choosing of his words while drawing a beautiful picture such as with "the clouds swallowed the moon". At other parts of the books he draws upon puns that a child may not pick up on but an adult surely should such as Bon Appetite and They Stopped Dead.
What makes this book so special to me is the fact that friendship plays such an important role. There is the friendship of his boy and his loyal dog. The bond is so strong that he recognizes her even without her fur on. And there is also the friendship of the other dogs that they used to play with together.
And finally there is the magic of the illustrations. The illustrations are simplistic and yet gorgeous at the same time. The details will catch the eye while children will be eagerly flipping pages to see all the puppies running and padding around.
Definitely this is a keeper for me but parents may want to review it first then judge upon sharing it with their own little ones depending upon the child's personality.
The author takes you into the life of a little boy who is getting ready to lose his beloved pooch who is very wise. A touching story of friendship this will be one book that is easy to read while holding a bit of a poetic twist to the words.
At the same time the author has fun with the choosing of his words while drawing a beautiful picture such as with "the clouds swallowed the moon". At other parts of the books he draws upon puns that a child may not pick up on but an adult surely should such as Bon Appetite and They Stopped Dead.
What makes this book so special to me is the fact that friendship plays such an important role. There is the friendship of his boy and his loyal dog. The bond is so strong that he recognizes her even without her fur on. And there is also the friendship of the other dogs that they used to play with together.
And finally there is the magic of the illustrations. The illustrations are simplistic and yet gorgeous at the same time. The details will catch the eye while children will be eagerly flipping pages to see all the puppies running and padding around.
Definitely this is a keeper for me but parents may want to review it first then judge upon sharing it with their own little ones depending upon the child's personality.
October 30, 2013
So I picked this up for my 3-year-old for Halloween, thinking it would be a fun book for the spirit of the holiday. (She's a huge dog lover.)I was both surprised and moved to learn the premise--a boy loses his dog, only to have her "rescue" him when he needs it most. It's a sweet story, not only because it reminds us of how meaningful it is to have a good friend (furry or not), but because it reminds us of the spirit of hope and enduring love.
I was particularly affected as I am dealing with end of life issues with my own dogs, and this story brought it all home for me. It also allowed me to open up a conversation with my kids about death and loss in a way that I might not have been able to do otherwise. (I think I appreciated it more than they did.)It's the thing I love most about books--the worlds they open up to us, but also the meaning they bring that can transform us as human beings.
It may seem simple upon first reflection, but Bone Dog is so much more than just a cute Halloween book. And if you don't believe me, take a few moments to sit with the 2nd and 3rd pages, where Gus and Ella sit beneath the moon. The image there is priceless.
This book will touch your heart...
I was particularly affected as I am dealing with end of life issues with my own dogs, and this story brought it all home for me. It also allowed me to open up a conversation with my kids about death and loss in a way that I might not have been able to do otherwise. (I think I appreciated it more than they did.)It's the thing I love most about books--the worlds they open up to us, but also the meaning they bring that can transform us as human beings.
It may seem simple upon first reflection, but Bone Dog is so much more than just a cute Halloween book. And if you don't believe me, take a few moments to sit with the 2nd and 3rd pages, where Gus and Ella sit beneath the moon. The image there is priceless.
This book will touch your heart...
February 3, 2016
This book is about a boy named Gus who's dog Ella passes away. Before she does she tells him that no matter what happens she will always be with him and a promise made under a full moon cannot be broken. Afterwards Gus is lonely and doesn't want to do much of anything. He doesn't really want to go out on Halloween but he does anyway and on his way home he goes through a graveyard and is surrounded by some skeletons. They taunt Gus and begin to close in until a bone dog comes to save him. The dog is Ella. She and Gus growl and howl until all the neighborhood dogs come and take the bones from the mean skeletons. Once Gus is saved he thanks Ella and asks if he will see her again. She tells him that a promise made under a full moon cannot be broken.
This is a sweet story about the loyalty and loss of a dog. The illustrations are gorgeous and a little scary but not too scary for kids. The best part is the title page. On it there is an illustration of Ella the bone dog and before it is a piece of parchment with an illustration of Ella the living dog. You can flip the parchment onto the title page and the bones can be seen under the picture of the living Ella. It's amazing.
This is a sweet story about the loyalty and loss of a dog. The illustrations are gorgeous and a little scary but not too scary for kids. The best part is the title page. On it there is an illustration of Ella the bone dog and before it is a piece of parchment with an illustration of Ella the living dog. You can flip the parchment onto the title page and the bones can be seen under the picture of the living Ella. It's amazing.
September 19, 2011
There are so many good books that are simply an original twist on a favorite old theme, premise or formula. This one is pretty original in concept and execution. I came across it on a Halloween display, but for those of you who like to recognize the Day of the Dead, this might be the perfect book to do that with. It's a book that addresses grief and loss with a little bit of creepy playfulness. Rohmann's art is so warm and inviting that it definitely helps to mitigate the scarier parts. There are plenty of young kids out there with a taste for scary or creepy, or who will relate to the boy in this book. If you know one (or a crew of them) I recommend sharing this book with them.
March 25, 2019
What an adorable book that deals with death in a cute and creepy way! When a young boy's dog dies, the young boy is distraught up until Halloween, where he finds himself in a sticky situation. With cartoonish illustrations with wonderful shading and a narrative that's sure to make you go "awww", this book is just perfect for the Fall season or for the young one whose pet is sick. Great for grades 1-3.
Review cross-listed here!
Review cross-listed here!
August 16, 2016
"You've got guts kid... but not for long."
It's rough when your best friend dies and you make promises that you can't break under a bright moon.
This is too doom and gloom for kids nowadays. When I was a kid, this would of been great. Kids today would be quaking in their little boots and crying home to no one.
Whats the behind you? *points* *eyes go huge*
Boooo!
What a frakking Puss!
It's rough when your best friend dies and you make promises that you can't break under a bright moon.
This is too doom and gloom for kids nowadays. When I was a kid, this would of been great. Kids today would be quaking in their little boots and crying home to no one.
Whats the behind you? *points* *eyes go huge*
Boooo!
What a frakking Puss!
January 28, 2015
I loved the unique premise of this story. Many others have commented on how this book is "too scary" for little kids, but I remember reading some pretty creepy books as a kid, and this one would've been a favorite. But then, I've always been drawn to the darker side of literature....
October 18, 2012
When his dog died, Gus didn't feel like doing much of anything, but he reluctantly went trick or treating on Halloween. This is a sweet story, tucked into the tall tale format, and it is perfect for the season.
November 6, 2012
This is not a story about a dog with an unhealthy obsession with bones (like mine), but rather a deceased canine who returns to his young owner on Halloween night.
The band of skeletons who want to eat the little boy might be a bit too much for younger kids.
The band of skeletons who want to eat the little boy might be a bit too much for younger kids.
August 26, 2014
Bone Dog is the touching, funny, and slightly morbid story of an old dog who makes her boy, Gus a promise to always be with him, and after "going away," fulfils that promise on the following Halloween, when Gus finds himself in trouble.
September 1, 2015
This is a whole new type of Halloween book. It shows the pain of losing a pet and how strong the bond between a boy and his dog is. The illustrations are great and I could not help smiling at the end.
August 26, 2011
AHHHHHHHHH! too creepy for this lady. Who knew the My Friend Rabbit guy could scare the fruit salad out of me?
October 29, 2019
A cute and heartwarming story with a little Halloween thrown in.
September 11, 2011
Bone Dog by Eric Rohmann is an unusual but effective and compelling story about the loss of a pet, friendship, and a slightly spooky Halloween story with a humorous twist.
Before Sam's beloved dog dies she promises, by the full moon, that she'll "always be with you," adding that a promise made under a full moon cannot be broken.
Sam doesn't feel like doing much after his dog Ella dies, not even wanting to dress up for Halloween, but he does anyway. Yet when Sam runs into a group of rowdy skeletons, it's Ella, his very own Bone dog, who comes to his aid and helps put those skeletons in their place.
I have always liked unusual stories, such as Eulalie and the Hopping Head and The Crows of Pearlblossom. I really enjoyed the unexpected turns this tale takes, especially the funny twist at the end.
Rohmann's signature style of illustrations are a great mix of darks with effective use of white. The graveyard is nicely spooky. The shifts in perspective are efectively rendered.
For ages 4 to 7, loss of a pet, friendship, dogs, Halloween, skeletons, and fans of Eric Rohmann.
Before Sam's beloved dog dies she promises, by the full moon, that she'll "always be with you," adding that a promise made under a full moon cannot be broken.
Sam doesn't feel like doing much after his dog Ella dies, not even wanting to dress up for Halloween, but he does anyway. Yet when Sam runs into a group of rowdy skeletons, it's Ella, his very own Bone dog, who comes to his aid and helps put those skeletons in their place.
I have always liked unusual stories, such as Eulalie and the Hopping Head and The Crows of Pearlblossom. I really enjoyed the unexpected turns this tale takes, especially the funny twist at the end.
Rohmann's signature style of illustrations are a great mix of darks with effective use of white. The graveyard is nicely spooky. The shifts in perspective are efectively rendered.
For ages 4 to 7, loss of a pet, friendship, dogs, Halloween, skeletons, and fans of Eric Rohmann.
November 8, 2019
Summary:
Bone dog is a story of a young boy whose dog dies. The boy wishes his dog, Ella to come back and visit him when he does he comes back as a skeleton. Ella comes to the rescue when a bunch of skeletons start to attack Gus as he is trick or treating. Together Gus and Ella scare the skeletons back to their place. When the dog calls his friends, they take all the skeletons bones and save the boy.
Evaluation:
This book was a great read that included various emotions. It talks about friendship, loss and fun Halloween themes. I believe this book is very relatable for young children especially because most families have pets and have experienced death. I did not know how a young child reading this would interrupt Ella coming back as a skeleton, it may be considered frightening. The illustrations overall give a spooky Halloween vibe that I really enjoyed.
Teaching Moment:
Bone Dog could be used with younger children based off its simple vocabulary. I would use this as a social emotional text to introduce grief for students. I would have students relate to the emotion both Gus and Ella experience and talk about their character development. I’d begin the lesson with reading Bone Dog as a read aloud.
Bone dog is a story of a young boy whose dog dies. The boy wishes his dog, Ella to come back and visit him when he does he comes back as a skeleton. Ella comes to the rescue when a bunch of skeletons start to attack Gus as he is trick or treating. Together Gus and Ella scare the skeletons back to their place. When the dog calls his friends, they take all the skeletons bones and save the boy.
Evaluation:
This book was a great read that included various emotions. It talks about friendship, loss and fun Halloween themes. I believe this book is very relatable for young children especially because most families have pets and have experienced death. I did not know how a young child reading this would interrupt Ella coming back as a skeleton, it may be considered frightening. The illustrations overall give a spooky Halloween vibe that I really enjoyed.
Teaching Moment:
Bone Dog could be used with younger children based off its simple vocabulary. I would use this as a social emotional text to introduce grief for students. I would have students relate to the emotion both Gus and Ella experience and talk about their character development. I’d begin the lesson with reading Bone Dog as a read aloud.
November 2, 2011
I knew nothing about this book ahead of time, but I like Eric Rohmann, so I added it to my list. Gotta be honest, it's a little on the creepy side. Particularly when a gang of skeletons crawls out of the ground and tries to make a meal out of the human boy...and then his dead dog shows up to save the day. The story sort of works (hence the 3 star rating, although I'm leaning toward a 2) and the illustrations are great of course, but I'm not 100% fond of the lesson that, as long as your dog promises under the full moon to always be with you, you can still hang out with her on Halloween night, even though she's long-since decomposed...
To his credit, Rohmann does try to keep the mood somewhat light as the skeletons claim it's time to do "You know, skeleton stuff." But I don't think I'll be reading it to my kids again. Especially since we'll be living next to a cemetery soon.
To his credit, Rohmann does try to keep the mood somewhat light as the skeletons claim it's time to do "You know, skeleton stuff." But I don't think I'll be reading it to my kids again. Especially since we'll be living next to a cemetery soon.
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November 18, 2019Summary: A boy loses his pet dog not long before Halloween. He is very sad and doesn't want to do much, but he convinces himself to go out and trick or treat. On the way he gets surrounded by a scary group of skeletons, and suddenly his favorite dog is back as a bone dog to protect him! This story shows the true loyalty of man's best friend.
Evaluation: All dog books are good books. That is a one hundred percent fact. I really enjoyed this book, and how the skeletons were afraid of the living dogs coming to chew them up. I also enjoyed the simple illustrations and the simple plotline of this book.
Teaching Idea:This would be a good book to read around Halloween time. This would be a good book to read to help students understand emotions and how those emotions influence character's actions.
Evaluation: All dog books are good books. That is a one hundred percent fact. I really enjoyed this book, and how the skeletons were afraid of the living dogs coming to chew them up. I also enjoyed the simple illustrations and the simple plotline of this book.
Teaching Idea:This would be a good book to read around Halloween time. This would be a good book to read to help students understand emotions and how those emotions influence character's actions.
November 28, 2019
Summary:
This book is about a boy who's dog passes away. The boy is sad, but he knows his dog will always be with him. This rings true when the boy is walking through a graveyard. Skeletons started to attack him, but his dog's skeleton came and saved the day.
Evaluation:
I loved this book. It was a sweet book about a boy and his dog. It had the Halloween factor with it, but it was not the primary focus of the story. It was an fun story to read around Halloween that did not focus on trick or treating.
Teaching Idea:
This book could be used around Halloween to teach students not to be scared of skeletons. This book could also be used for a student who recently lost a pet. This book shows that even if an animal passes away, they are still with you.
This book is about a boy who's dog passes away. The boy is sad, but he knows his dog will always be with him. This rings true when the boy is walking through a graveyard. Skeletons started to attack him, but his dog's skeleton came and saved the day.
Evaluation:
I loved this book. It was a sweet book about a boy and his dog. It had the Halloween factor with it, but it was not the primary focus of the story. It was an fun story to read around Halloween that did not focus on trick or treating.
Teaching Idea:
This book could be used around Halloween to teach students not to be scared of skeletons. This book could also be used for a student who recently lost a pet. This book shows that even if an animal passes away, they are still with you.
October 23, 2017
I was trying to find a book for story hour that would be a good fit for Halloween with great pictures and story. Bone Dog was a surprise. The story is simple and sweet: our hero's dog tells him she is going to have to go away soon (she's a really old dog). But, she tells him she will always be with him and that a promise made under a full moon is always kept.
When he is tormented by spooky skeletons on Halloween our doggy heroine saves the day, though she is but bones herself.
Sweet and uncomplicated, with a touch of gentle humor, Bone Dog illustrates simply and beautifully the bond between a boy and his dog.
When he is tormented by spooky skeletons on Halloween our doggy heroine saves the day, though she is but bones herself.
Sweet and uncomplicated, with a touch of gentle humor, Bone Dog illustrates simply and beautifully the bond between a boy and his dog.
October 27, 2017
Bone Dog is a wonderful and occasionally frightening story about the love between a boy and his dog. In Bone Dog, the boy, Gus, does not want to leave his house or do his chores because he is upset after his old dog Ella dies, but on Halloween he gets dressed up and goes trick-or-treating anyways. While out getting candy Gus is harassed by skeletons and his incredible dog Ella comes to his rescue as a skeleton dog.
This story shows that love has no bounds and helps children understand that although their furry companion is no longer with them on Earth they are still close by in their heart.
This story shows that love has no bounds and helps children understand that although their furry companion is no longer with them on Earth they are still close by in their heart.
December 18, 2015
After Gus's dog Ella dies, he doesn't feel like doing much. And even though he didn't really want to go out on Halloween, he still put on his costume and went trick-or-treating. Gus soon finds himself in a bit of trouble, unexpectedly Ella comes to his rescue.
I know what it is like to lose a pet so this book got me. I thought it was such a sweet story. I really enjoyed it. I'd give it three and a half stars.
I know what it is like to lose a pet so this book got me. I thought it was such a sweet story. I really enjoyed it. I'd give it three and a half stars.
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May 14, 2017A beloved dog dies early in the story, but though the sadness of her former child companion is depicted, this is not really a story about losing a pet. It’s a story about gaining a skeletal canine defender against Halloween spooks! Scarier than many Halloween picture books, but certainly unique, with some macabre humor in the bargain. - Kate D.
January 15, 2012
There's not much I can add to others' reviews. A sweet commentary on friendship and loss, with just the right dash of sentimentality.
September 14, 2011
Beautifully illustrated, but I agree with some reviewers, kind of creepy and just a bit strange..
November 4, 2019
“A promise made under a full moon cannot be broken.”
I checked out this older title since it seemed Halloween-ish and also because we recently put our dog down and I thought maybe it would provide some conversation or comfort. It initially appeared to be primarily a sentimental book about a boy and his beloved dog who promises to always be with him, but it turned out to be funny for kids when the skeletons get involved. I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite Eric Rohmann book (for example: human skeletons want to eat living humans), but it was worth the silly laugh during this season.
June 25, 2020
If your kiddo is okay with darker stuff, they might like this one. I have no problem with morbid humor for kids, as long as they know what they are getting into, but I don't like that the dog comes back to the kid after death. The times I can see someone looking for a book about the death of a pet, they will probably be looking for something either realistic or hopeful, with doggy heaven or something. I am secular as they get, but this isn't something I'd want to read to my kids in that situation. If you are just looking for a picture book that is a bit creepy, then this might fit the bill.
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