Waiting Dog, The

by Carolyn Beck, Andrea Beck (Illustrator)

"I dream of you every day in my spot by the slot. I sit and wait and salivate." With gruesomely delicious rhymes and wickedly joyful illustrations, this unique tale invites readers to share in a dog's ultimate fantasy as it eagerly anticipates the delivery of the daily mail -- and it isn't the letters this dog is interested in! While not for the faint of heart, this book is a grisly romp that will have kids squealing with delight and adults savoring its ghastly naughtiness as the dog joyfully devours the postman, one scrumptious body part at a time.

Genres: Picture Books, Banned Books, Horror, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2003

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I have to give this book 5 stars, not only because I liked it, but because I know lots of people will really dislike it. I read it only because I found it on a list of books that have been challenged in Canada and I totally get why. There are lots of other books challenged for silly or frivolous-seeming reasons, books for teens that are challenged for violence and sexuality, but this book, I get it. This is a picture book which depicts the gory fantasies of a dog, in poetry and graphic illustrations. The dog imagines pulling the mailman through the mail slot and then eating him. There's an illustration of the dog with his face buried FULLY INSIDE the mailman's own face. He pops his eyeballs in his teeth, licks his brain, munches on his internal organs. "Yum" is rhymed with "ileum". The dog's happy musings are really very educational, as he describes all the parts of the body he'd like to devour.

This is a book I'd caution parents about, because for sensitive kids it could go reallllllly terribly, but some kids will absolutely love this gory book. This is for the kids who like to sing about greasy, grimy gopher guts. And me, this book was an awesome romp through the mind of a carnivore. And in its defense, there's a warning on the front! "Do you have the guts to read this book?" It's also a pun. :D

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little controversial gem is wonderfully unique. It certainly won't be everyone's cup of tea, and that's why I think it's so brilliant. I have a fondness for books and authors that dare to push the envelope of what's "acceptable" and don't try to pander to the widest audience possible, but instead stick to their vision and see it through. When I found out that The Waiting Dog was challenged in a Canadian library I wasn't surprised, but that made me even more determined to buy a copy for myself.

I enjoy this violent doggie daydream immensely despite the fact (or maybe even because of the fact) that it doesn't at all represent my life experiences with dogs, which are not at all violent, and very much a beloved part of my family.

The Waiting Dog is a shocking romp that would lend itself well to dramatic readings for the right audience (kids and people who can handle a little gore and guts).

[Tatie Punkinhead · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a children's book, i would strongly recommend staying away from this one. It seemed it may have been trying to throw out anatomical names to try and be 'educational' but i had no idea what i had pulled in from the library based on the descriptions. There is a 'warning' on the front but it came across as one of those 'enter if you dare!' fun sort of thing. It rather horrified me although since reading it, the book has not left my mind.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know exactly why this book was banned. This book is so funny. The waiting dog is waiting for the mailperson. That hand coming though the slot is just soooooo temping, and the doggie, can’t wait. It takes a bite. And that bite keeps going. This is a HORROR picture book and I loved every minute of it. This is the dream of the dog eating the mailperson bit by bit. The book actually has a warning on the cover from the publisher about having the guts to read this book. Well, one is going to see the guts. I loved this, but it might be a bit much for some children. This is definitely the reason it was banned. However, I love it, and there are a bunch of kids who will love it too. This book shouldn’t be banned, it should be read, just check your triggers.

[Judy]

I bought this as a gift for my grandson. This is Brothers Grimm with hilarity. I do believe that an adult should read this to the child.

Whatever happened to kids enjoying scary books like Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs?

[Anais919 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another disturbing children's book! A co-worker at the library pointed this one out. Not great children's bedtime story but for adults a great horror!

[Jannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Probably the goriest picture book I've ever seen; the story and illustrations go into violent detail as a dog attacks and consumes the mailman he has thought about and salivated on for time immemorial, focusing on his bloody innards and bones. There's lots of blood and guts and, while there may be some bodily buzzwords like 'alimentary' that readers may not recognize, the language actually contributes to the creep-out factor in a Hannibal Lector kind of way.
The book was so unsettling that I was playing Diablo for hours, fighting gruesome zombies and skeletons and was unfazed but one thought about the book recalled the images of Waiting Dog...and now it's 3am and I am too nervous to sleep for fear of what unpleasantness may come.

Please, send mental/literary palate cleansers.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What in the world would inspire someone to write a picture book like this?

It is hilarious. Not really for the classroom though. :)

[Keriann's Picture Book Library · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is definitely in the running for the most fucked up thing I've ever read. This picture book is the detailed and vivid fantasy of a dog that wants to eat the mailman alive.

Illustrated by the lady who does the Elliot Moose books.