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Good Dog, Aggie
In this sequel to Aggie and Ben, the best friends are back for more boy-and-his-dog fun. Young readers will laugh out loud at Aggies irrepressible antics and Bens determined attempts to train her. Three short chapters, just right for beginning readers, follow Aggie and Ben on their adventures in doggie training, obedience, and friendship. Frank Dormers spirited and expressive illustrations are as unrestrained as Aggie herself.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2009
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 27, 2022
This is the first sequel to the original and while it has more story than the first, I was disappointed with the lesson and with the art which had shifted to over-the-top, almost cartoony depiction of emotions. Not as charming as the first book. Not as good as those to come. I did enjoy the introduction of the new characters.
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July 30, 2019We've read 3 Aggie books and love them all.
February 11, 2021
Simple pages and sentences make it a good early reader, and it's also a good guide to training a dog that isn't very food oriented.
April 11, 2025
Didn't give my 7 year old daughter any trouble.
July 10, 2012
Ries, L. (2009). Good Dog, Aggie. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.
9781570916458
48 pages
Appetizer: A wonderful transition from picturebooks to early readers, Good Dog, Aggie shares the story of a young boy, Ben, and his dog, Aggie. Since Aggie doesn't listen to Ben (and actually does eat his homework despite being told no), Ben decides to take her to obedience school at the pet shop. But soon the teacher decides Aggie and the boy may be too disruptive for the class. So, it's up to Ben to train Aggie on his own.
I like the way this early reader is set up. Small pictures often break up the text, preventing young readers from becoming too frustrated by the increased amount of text.
The illustrations are childlike. Often geometric shapes are used to form the bodies and faces of the characters, serving as a guide for how kids can create their own illustrations.
Colors and senses are intermixed throughout the story. Something sounds green. Something else smells orange. I found this phrasing very interesting.
While many dog lovers will enjoy this book, I have to admit a six-year-old version of myself wouldn't find this story very interesting. But that's me. I realized from a young age that I was more of a fantasy-minded reader.
Dinner Conversation:
"Aggie is a good dog.
She runs fast.
She is a good eater.
But she does not listen."
"You are a good dog, Aggie,
but you do not obey."
"Aggie runs.
She runs under one dog.
She jumps over another dog.
Now all the dogs run. They run and bark.
The treats fly up, up up."
"Do not eat the grasshopper, Aggie."
Aggie sniffs. The grasshopper jumps.
Aggie jumps, too!
"Silly Aggie, " I say, "grasshoppers are not for you."
To Go with the Meal:
I really like that Aggie is "good" from the very beginning of the story. It's a nice reminder that a dog (or a person) is still good even though they make mistakes from time to time.
This would be an excellent early reader to share with new dog owners. Good Dog, Aggie show the process a young owner will go through to train their dog to obey. It shows how gradual and frustrating school can be. And I use the word "school" in that last sentence very intentionally. Aggie's struggles are relatable to children who may be having trouble in school. As with Aggie, this kids often need to be reminded that they're worth more than the grades they receive in class.
Tasty Rating: !!!
9781570916458
48 pages
Appetizer: A wonderful transition from picturebooks to early readers, Good Dog, Aggie shares the story of a young boy, Ben, and his dog, Aggie. Since Aggie doesn't listen to Ben (and actually does eat his homework despite being told no), Ben decides to take her to obedience school at the pet shop. But soon the teacher decides Aggie and the boy may be too disruptive for the class. So, it's up to Ben to train Aggie on his own.
I like the way this early reader is set up. Small pictures often break up the text, preventing young readers from becoming too frustrated by the increased amount of text.
The illustrations are childlike. Often geometric shapes are used to form the bodies and faces of the characters, serving as a guide for how kids can create their own illustrations.
Colors and senses are intermixed throughout the story. Something sounds green. Something else smells orange. I found this phrasing very interesting.
While many dog lovers will enjoy this book, I have to admit a six-year-old version of myself wouldn't find this story very interesting. But that's me. I realized from a young age that I was more of a fantasy-minded reader.
Dinner Conversation:
"Aggie is a good dog.
She runs fast.
She is a good eater.
But she does not listen."
"You are a good dog, Aggie,
but you do not obey."
"Aggie runs.
She runs under one dog.
She jumps over another dog.
Now all the dogs run. They run and bark.
The treats fly up, up up."
"Do not eat the grasshopper, Aggie."
Aggie sniffs. The grasshopper jumps.
Aggie jumps, too!
"Silly Aggie, " I say, "grasshoppers are not for you."
To Go with the Meal:
I really like that Aggie is "good" from the very beginning of the story. It's a nice reminder that a dog (or a person) is still good even though they make mistakes from time to time.
This would be an excellent early reader to share with new dog owners. Good Dog, Aggie show the process a young owner will go through to train their dog to obey. It shows how gradual and frustrating school can be. And I use the word "school" in that last sentence very intentionally. Aggie's struggles are relatable to children who may be having trouble in school. As with Aggie, this kids often need to be reminded that they're worth more than the grades they receive in class.
Tasty Rating: !!!
March 3, 2009
To do a really good beginning reader book you have to get past the limitations of the syntax with something special and I don't see that here. It's a sweet but predictable story. I don't like the art -it's scritchy scratchy in a Diary of A Wimpy Kid sort of way, or perhaps more like one of those dreadful little "Bob" books, only with color fill.
This is the sort of thing that fills a need, but doesn't rock the world--but then, everyone can't be Mo Willems....
This is the sort of thing that fills a need, but doesn't rock the world--but then, everyone can't be Mo Willems....
August 14, 2009
What do you do when your dog is a bad dog? Will Ben ever be able to train Aggie? Find out by reading these three short stories. Good for 1st/2nd grade readers. AR 1.5 but the book is divided in chapters and a little bit longer so it could be okay for a 1st grader if they are okay with a longer story but would be good for a second grader who needs a longer story but the reading level is a bit easier.
July 3, 2009
I read this to my son at bedtime. Our dog, Addie, stays by the foot of the bed, while I'm reading. Her ears were working overtime during this story. Each time I read 'Sit, Aggie', they would perk up! We thought it was so cute!
December 8, 2010
Cute story about a boy and his dog. We've read two other books about these characters and they are simple, but fun stories that are good for beginning readers who are starting chapter books. Our girls love the illustrations and the interaction between Ben and Aggie.
March 18, 2009
I woudl have said this was more of a reader than a picture book though it is in with PB's. It has chapters about a little boy looking to train his dog. Grades 2+
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December 10, 2009"pets, dogs, obedience training"
December 18, 2009
Aggie is a good dog, but she does not obey! This is a cute beginning reader with fun illustrations.
January 7, 2010
This is a great book for transitional readers. I hadn't seen it and heard about it through CYBILS short list. Glad I picked it up.
June 30, 2012
What a great bookvforcearly/transitional readers. I want more Aggie books. Fans of Henry and Mudge will love this book. It is an easier read.
October 4, 2012
August 2012. Cute pictures, don't love the story.
April 15, 2015
Highly enjoyed this little primer! What an excellent story for beginning readers. The voice of the boy teaching Aggie to be a "good dog" is so independent, specific, and strong.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews