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Fred
I Love You, Fred
From the father-daughter team behind I Will Love You Anyway comes another heartwarming tale about a sweatband-wearing pug.
Fetch! and Sit! and Stay!
and Ball! and Walk! and Bed!
I know those words…
…but what is Fred?
Little ones will laugh out loud as you read Mick and Chloë Inkpen’s delightful second story all about a troublesome little dog who finally discovers his own name.
Fetch! and Sit! and Stay!
and Ball! and Walk! and Bed!
I know those words…
…but what is Fred?
Little ones will laugh out loud as you read Mick and Chloë Inkpen’s delightful second story all about a troublesome little dog who finally discovers his own name.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published December 10, 2019
30 people want to read
About the author
Mick Inkpen
388 books62 followersMick Inkpen is one of the most popular author/illustrators in the world. His books have sold over 4 million copies, and have been translated into over twenty different languages. His best-loved characters are probably Kipper and Wibbly Pig – who are both stars of their very own TV series!
He began his career as a graphic designer, and worked with another children’s author Nick Butterworth (of Percy the Park Keeper fame) on a cartoon strip for the Sunday Express. In 1989 The Blue Balloon was published to great acclaim, and established him as an important and original voice in children’s picture books. He and his wife, Debbie, also had children of their own by this point: “Without the experience of having children of my own I doubt that I would have been capable of writing effectively for children. And yet it’s true that good work really springs from trying to please yourself”
Mick lives in Essex with his wife and two children.
He began his career as a graphic designer, declining a place to study English at Cambridge University. During this period he worked with Nick Butterworth, a fellow children’s author, from whom he learned design and typography. Together they developed a cartoon strip for the Sunday Express magazine, later to become a first series of children’s picture books. They also worked in children’s television.
In 1989 The Blue Balloon established him as a truly original voice in children’s picture books, by which time Mick and his wife Debbie had two children of their own. “Without the experience of having children of my own I doubt that I would have been capable of writing effectively for children. And yet it’s true that good work really springs from trying to please yourself”
He began his career as a graphic designer, and worked with another children’s author Nick Butterworth (of Percy the Park Keeper fame) on a cartoon strip for the Sunday Express. In 1989 The Blue Balloon was published to great acclaim, and established him as an important and original voice in children’s picture books. He and his wife, Debbie, also had children of their own by this point: “Without the experience of having children of my own I doubt that I would have been capable of writing effectively for children. And yet it’s true that good work really springs from trying to please yourself”
Mick lives in Essex with his wife and two children.
He began his career as a graphic designer, declining a place to study English at Cambridge University. During this period he worked with Nick Butterworth, a fellow children’s author, from whom he learned design and typography. Together they developed a cartoon strip for the Sunday Express magazine, later to become a first series of children’s picture books. They also worked in children’s television.
In 1989 The Blue Balloon established him as a truly original voice in children’s picture books, by which time Mick and his wife Debbie had two children of their own. “Without the experience of having children of my own I doubt that I would have been capable of writing effectively for children. And yet it’s true that good work really springs from trying to please yourself”
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 21, 2020
Ever had that "aha" moment? Where something suddenly clicked into focus and you just KNEW all of a sudden the thing that had been missing before? Adorable Fred desperately needs that moment in his life and mercifully he is granted it.
January 17, 2020
I love this! My 6 year old did too.
July 3, 2020
I Love You, Fred by Mick Inkpen, illustrated by Chloe Inkpen. PICTURE BOOK Aladdin (Simon and Schuster), 2016. $18. 9781534414754
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Fred is an adorable pup who wants to be obedient and make his owner happy. Fred has mastered all the commands but can’t figure out what is expected of him when he hears the word “Fred”. One day while Fred is playing, he finds himself in trouble and his owner rescues him and gives him lots of love while cooing his name, “Fred”. For the first time Fred understands that it’s his name and he has been doing a great job “Fredding” all along.
Oh, my good heavens Fred is the cutest dog ever! His big bulbous eyes and pug-like features make him so endearing. What a cute book, especially for dog lovers. The text rhymes and makes for a fun read aloud, but really the appeal of this book is the illustrations.
Reviewer, C. Peterson
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Fred is an adorable pup who wants to be obedient and make his owner happy. Fred has mastered all the commands but can’t figure out what is expected of him when he hears the word “Fred”. One day while Fred is playing, he finds himself in trouble and his owner rescues him and gives him lots of love while cooing his name, “Fred”. For the first time Fred understands that it’s his name and he has been doing a great job “Fredding” all along.
Oh, my good heavens Fred is the cutest dog ever! His big bulbous eyes and pug-like features make him so endearing. What a cute book, especially for dog lovers. The text rhymes and makes for a fun read aloud, but really the appeal of this book is the illustrations.
Reviewer, C. Peterson
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
February 14, 2020
Fred is such a good dog! He wasn't named best in his obedience class, but at least he passed. He comes when he's called, knows how to sit, and even understands words like "ball" and "park." There's just one thing he doesn't understand - what the heck does it mean to Fred? His owner say it all the time and Fred wants to obey the command, but he has no clue what it means. After a harrowing experience at the park Fred finally figures it out and delights in his new knowledge. This is a charming story about an exuberant and rather odd-looking dog that both kids and adults will enjoy. The mixed media illustrations complement the tone of the book perfectly.
January 31, 2020
ah-ha! They turn it around in the sequel! The dog from I Will Love You Anyway passes training class and is a better pet now, but he is presented with a new mystery.... WHO IS FRED?!
Much more enjoyable and the pictures are still cute.
age: preschool+
length: medium
wordiness: medium, rhyming
plot: dog is a good boy now who knows lots of words, except for "Fred"
themes: dogs, doggie hijinks, identity, being Fred
illustrations: cute and loose
Much more enjoyable and the pictures are still cute.
age: preschool+
length: medium
wordiness: medium, rhyming
plot: dog is a good boy now who knows lots of words, except for "Fred"
themes: dogs, doggie hijinks, identity, being Fred
illustrations: cute and loose
April 2, 2020
Fred can do all the commands (sit, stay, don't run away). At least most of the time. But he cannot understand the command Fred. What is Fred? If he knew what Fred was he would be the best at it! (Or try his best.) Later Fred learns how to Fred: by just being himself. Cute story, but not a lot of "meat" to it. For dog fans.
April 14, 2020
This is an adorable book that lets readers see the dog's perspective a little bit better. Dear Fred tries to be a good puppy and he mostly does everything he's supposed to but he can't figure out how to "Fred." Kids love understanding something the characters don't and they'll root for sweet Fred to figure it out. A fun read aloud.
September 27, 2019
"If only I could Fred." Doggy commands like "sit" and "stay" are... well, challenging, but learnable. But what does it mean to "Fred"? And they say it all the time!
I love a book written from the pet's perspective.
I love a book written from the pet's perspective.
February 13, 2020
Brought a smile to my face. It has the rhymes that are perfect to read to and with you babies, toddlers, and young children. This may become a favorite bedtime book.
There is a love able puppy named Fred, with all the wonderful things he can do. By the end you will be saying I love you Fred.
There is a love able puppy named Fred, with all the wonderful things he can do. By the end you will be saying I love you Fred.
May 30, 2025
Fred was a dog who knew many words, such as Sit, Stay, Fetch, but there was one word he didn’t understand. He didn’t know how to Fred! It wasn’t until he got into a bad situation that it came to him what Fred meant.
This is such a cute and entertaining sweet story with great illustrations.
This is such a cute and entertaining sweet story with great illustrations.
January 4, 2020
The troublesome little pug introduced in I Will Love You Anyway learns his name.
January 10, 2020
Anyone who has ever had a puppy will find it impossible not to love Fred! Probably if you haven’t had a puppy you’ll find it impossible not to love Fred!
January 15, 2020
Soooooo cute.
January 20, 2020
This is one of the cutest book! I love the theme of importance of name. I also love the illustrations.
February 12, 2020
Precious! A definite for dog lovers, and so fun read aloud.
February 18, 2020
We have read Fred a hundred times. And I don’t mind! What a fun book, just because Fred is so darn cute!
February 20, 2020
Very accurately from the mind of a dog.
March 5, 2020
Precious and funny book about a dog who excels at obedience but doesn't know what "Fred" means. I love his sweatbands!
March 11, 2020
This is a cute story about how a dog learns what his name is.
April 13, 2020
A preschool and up book told from the perspective of a dog who wonders why everyone keeps calling him Fred. Who is this Fred and why is he rewarded when the name is called?
April 17, 2020
This book is a lot of fun. Great illustrations, and a very neat story.
January 18, 2021
This is about a pug who doesn't know that his name is Fred. The pictures are really cute.
February 11, 2021
Very cute. Love that Fred finally figured out his name. There are other books in this series that I plan to find at our library to read to Michael.
April 8, 2021
Better than the other one.
March 31, 2023
Cute and funny story told from dogs perspective who doesn't know what Fred means or what to do when Fred is said to him until the end when he finally realizes it's actually his own name.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2026
A very loving book
September 13, 2022
This is a book that will animate and touch a child's heart. It is about a puppy that is trying to become the best puppy he can be. He is curious and can't quite figure out his name or his reflection. I think this book makes kids think deep into who they are. Fred is a heartwarming read that illustrates the relationship a boy can develop with his dog. As you read this book to children you can animate the text with all of the descriptive curiosity the text holds. The pictures jump off the page and the children will fall in love with how cute Fred is. I would highly recommend this poetry book!
January 29, 2020
Cute. How a dog comes to realize that the word "Fred" repeated over and over is his name.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews