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Gidget the Surfing Dog: Catching Waves with a Small But Mighty Pug
Meet Gidget, a pug who overcame a life-threatening illness to become a world-champion surfing dog.
This is the true story of Gidget, a world-champion surfing pug, who grew from a hyperactive handful of a pup to a poised and impressive surfer whose efforts are devoted to charity.
As she and her owner Alecia find their way through challenges including a life-threatening illness, Gidget's story becomes not only about a dog learning to surf and compete in dog surfing competitions but also about making the most of the life you are given and giving back to your community.
This is the true story of Gidget, a world-champion surfing pug, who grew from a hyperactive handful of a pup to a poised and impressive surfer whose efforts are devoted to charity.
As she and her owner Alecia find their way through challenges including a life-threatening illness, Gidget's story becomes not only about a dog learning to surf and compete in dog surfing competitions but also about making the most of the life you are given and giving back to your community.
48 pages, Hardcover
Published April 7, 2020
16 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Rusch
34 books72 followersELIZABETH RUSCH is an award-winning book author, magazine writer, editor, writing teacher and speaker. Her wide-ranging passions include astronomy, volcanology, art, music, history, nature, waves, jokes, crayons, and mud — anything that catches her fancy. She is inspired by stories of exploration and discovery, stories that have been overlooked by history, and stories that grapple with persistent questions. Whether writing fiction or nonfiction for children or adults or teaching workshops, she hopes her work opens doors, opens minds, opens possibilities.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 1, 2020
While the premise behind this is fine, I kind of wish the book had just stuck to talking about Gidget. Because it doesn't--and goes off on tangents about the physics of surfing, wave formation, and plastic pollution--the book is overly long, and there's a mismatch between the tone of the main narrative (which seems aimed at very young readers) and all the science stuff (which would bore very young readers). It took me a long time to get through this one, and I didn't really like the way the main story kept getting interrupted. Gidget has an interesting history. I liked reading about how and why she got into surfing. The illness that almost sidelined her added some drama to the narrative. But it was difficult to stay emotionally engaged when the book kept slipping into scientific explanations and illustrations.
I think the audience for this one might be limited. Kids may want to read about Gidget and her surfing... but I have a feeling a lot of them are going to skip over some of the more technical pages.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Bigfoot for providing a digital ARC.
I think the audience for this one might be limited. Kids may want to read about Gidget and her surfing... but I have a feeling a lot of them are going to skip over some of the more technical pages.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Bigfoot for providing a digital ARC.
March 5, 2020
This is the true story of Gidget packed with adorable photos. There is a lot of scientific information on waves, as well as rules for water safety. It can easily be incorporated into science lessons the kids will love!
This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
May 17, 2022
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
I just had to try out this book when I saw that superduper adorable cover~ Plus, I have heard of dogs surfing so I had to see who Gidget was and how good he was on a surfboard.
This book is all about Gidget, written in easy text and partially as if it is a story. Gidget is a tiny little pug who is super hyper (sounds like my kind of animal) and his owner who was looking for something so her tiny pet would have something to do as to not break down the house. We see Gidget go through various fun active things before they come across surfing. I just adored seeing how well Gidget was doing on a surfboard and how he found the one thing that Gidget absolutely loved and that was safe for him to do.
My heart broke when we learned that he had a disease that almost caused him to die, thankfully he had a miracle recovery though he still needs to take medicines. Poor Gidget! How happy I am that the doggie has bounced back.
The book also has a ton of adorable and cute pictures of Gidget and other dogs participating in competitions. Of course, I was mostly looking forward to Gidget’s pictures as that is the dog I came here for. 😛
Sadly, there were a few things I just wasn’t into. How waves/surfing worked and the sudden trash cleaning thing on the last pages. In one case I may be interested in it in another book, and in the other case it just felt like it was pushed in because of how hot and happening it is at the moment (it is still a good cause but there is only so much I can hear about it before I tune out).
But all in all, a cute short book about Gidget. I loved that, despite it being only 50 pages, you learn all about Gidget, see competitions and more. It was filled to the brim~
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I just had to try out this book when I saw that superduper adorable cover~ Plus, I have heard of dogs surfing so I had to see who Gidget was and how good he was on a surfboard.
This book is all about Gidget, written in easy text and partially as if it is a story. Gidget is a tiny little pug who is super hyper (sounds like my kind of animal) and his owner who was looking for something so her tiny pet would have something to do as to not break down the house. We see Gidget go through various fun active things before they come across surfing. I just adored seeing how well Gidget was doing on a surfboard and how he found the one thing that Gidget absolutely loved and that was safe for him to do.
My heart broke when we learned that he had a disease that almost caused him to die, thankfully he had a miracle recovery though he still needs to take medicines. Poor Gidget! How happy I am that the doggie has bounced back.
The book also has a ton of adorable and cute pictures of Gidget and other dogs participating in competitions. Of course, I was mostly looking forward to Gidget’s pictures as that is the dog I came here for. 😛
Sadly, there were a few things I just wasn’t into. How waves/surfing worked and the sudden trash cleaning thing on the last pages. In one case I may be interested in it in another book, and in the other case it just felt like it was pushed in because of how hot and happening it is at the moment (it is still a good cause but there is only so much I can hear about it before I tune out).
But all in all, a cute short book about Gidget. I loved that, despite it being only 50 pages, you learn all about Gidget, see competitions and more. It was filled to the brim~
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
May 12, 2020
I loved the story of Gidget, the Surfing Dog. As I read this to my grandson, he lost interest in parts of the book. That is because, the science of waves and surfing was a bit above him. When I skipped those sections and just read about Gidget and the other dogs surfing, he was captivated. He loved the idea of surfing dogs and wanted me to get on the computer and find more pictures and things. This book is geared to older children and adds the interest of surfing dogs into the science part of the story. The illustrations were wonderful as there were actual photos of the dogs. This would be a good book for reluctant readers, who enjoy sports and non-fiction. It could also be used to teach about the ocean and its waves. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
July 4, 2020
Gidget the Surfing Dog: Catching Waves with a Small but Mighty Pug by Elizabeth Rusch. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Little Bigfoot (Sasquatch Books), 2020. $19. 9781632171733
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Gidget, a pug dog, always had a lot of energy, so when his owner saw other dogs in a surfing competition she knew it would be a good fit for Gidget. Gidget was good at balancing on the board and quickly started to win competitions. The story is paired with information on waves and the dynamics of surfing.
It was fun to see pictures of a dog surfing, especially a little dog dressed all in pink. Once that novelty wears off though, the book is lacking a compelling storyline. The author spends a considerable amount of time describing the competition, but I never really felt invested in those events.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Gidget, a pug dog, always had a lot of energy, so when his owner saw other dogs in a surfing competition she knew it would be a good fit for Gidget. Gidget was good at balancing on the board and quickly started to win competitions. The story is paired with information on waves and the dynamics of surfing.
It was fun to see pictures of a dog surfing, especially a little dog dressed all in pink. Once that novelty wears off though, the book is lacking a compelling storyline. The author spends a considerable amount of time describing the competition, but I never really felt invested in those events.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
December 21, 2020
Gidget the Surfing Dog by Elizabeth Rush was so much fun to read! I can see myself reading it with small kids who will love the fun pictures as well as children up to middle grade who won't have an issue with so much text. I have seen surfing dogs before but I did not realize that there were whole competitions for them! In addition to covering such a fun topic, this book is also very educational! You learn about the different types of waves, you learn about surfing, how to stay safe on the beach and in the water, and how to help the environment. I highly recommend this book both for the fun and the educational factors! The photographs are adorable!
November 6, 2020
"What Alecia Nelson wanted was a friend for her dog, Izzy. 'What I got was a little terror,' she says." - first page of text
Rusch's writing and the accompanying photographs draw readers into the story of this Pug which includes multiple, suspenseful (even harrowing), life-threatening moments!
What I appreciate about this book is the MULTIPLE ACCESS POINTS FOR a VARIETY OF READERS TO MAKE MEANING (grades 2-5). Yes--you can just read the narrative and learn the story of an amazing pug and her tenacious owner. But what if you have questions like, "HOW THE HECK CAN A DOG SURF?" You can go a little deeper and look at the graphics provided on "how a surfboard floats," different types of wave breaks, "types of waves" and so forth. Even if you don't ask that question, the graphics and captions might reveal that it's not as easy as putting your dog on a surfboard and pushing them off. Gidget has to have skills to maneuver the board. Her owner Alecia has to have knowledge about waves and wind and breaks (and more) to set Gidget up to succeed. In other words, the GRAPHICS REVEAL SOME OF THE AUTHOR'S BIG IDEAS.
I'd engage students in an INTERACTIVE READ ALOUD. Read the primary storyline aloud once for joy and then reread or just return to the graphics, read aloud, project for all students to view and ASK--*"What do you notice?" (in the graphics) and "What does that show you about the art of dog surfing? What do Alecia and Gidget have to think about while surfing?"
*"What is the role of the graphics, sidebars and other features in making this a stronger book? What do you understand better about the difficulty or trickiness of surfing because you 'read' the graphics?"
*"Why is the 'SMALL BUT MIGHTY' part of the title appropriate?" (Mighty - "having or showing great strength or power" as defined by learnersdictionary.com)
Then leave in the classroom library to be snatched up by small groups. Encourage them to take a look at the graphics with captions and make sense together of what Rusch is trying to teach them.
Connections to Next Generation Science Standards -
2-ESS2-1 Wind and water can change the shape of the land
3-PS2 Motion and stability: Forces and interactions
4-PS3 Energy
4-PS4.A Wave properties
5-PS2 Motion and stability
You could also examine the design of surfboards as part of 3-5-ETS1 Engineering Design.
Rusch's writing and the accompanying photographs draw readers into the story of this Pug which includes multiple, suspenseful (even harrowing), life-threatening moments!
What I appreciate about this book is the MULTIPLE ACCESS POINTS FOR a VARIETY OF READERS TO MAKE MEANING (grades 2-5). Yes--you can just read the narrative and learn the story of an amazing pug and her tenacious owner. But what if you have questions like, "HOW THE HECK CAN A DOG SURF?" You can go a little deeper and look at the graphics provided on "how a surfboard floats," different types of wave breaks, "types of waves" and so forth. Even if you don't ask that question, the graphics and captions might reveal that it's not as easy as putting your dog on a surfboard and pushing them off. Gidget has to have skills to maneuver the board. Her owner Alecia has to have knowledge about waves and wind and breaks (and more) to set Gidget up to succeed. In other words, the GRAPHICS REVEAL SOME OF THE AUTHOR'S BIG IDEAS.
I'd engage students in an INTERACTIVE READ ALOUD. Read the primary storyline aloud once for joy and then reread or just return to the graphics, read aloud, project for all students to view and ASK--*"What do you notice?" (in the graphics) and "What does that show you about the art of dog surfing? What do Alecia and Gidget have to think about while surfing?"
*"What is the role of the graphics, sidebars and other features in making this a stronger book? What do you understand better about the difficulty or trickiness of surfing because you 'read' the graphics?"
*"Why is the 'SMALL BUT MIGHTY' part of the title appropriate?" (Mighty - "having or showing great strength or power" as defined by learnersdictionary.com)
Then leave in the classroom library to be snatched up by small groups. Encourage them to take a look at the graphics with captions and make sense together of what Rusch is trying to teach them.
Connections to Next Generation Science Standards -
2-ESS2-1 Wind and water can change the shape of the land
3-PS2 Motion and stability: Forces and interactions
4-PS3 Energy
4-PS4.A Wave properties
5-PS2 Motion and stability
You could also examine the design of surfboards as part of 3-5-ETS1 Engineering Design.
June 22, 2022
Cute bio of feisty little Gidget who learns to surf. Lots of color photos and facts about the ocean, waves and surfing.
July 10, 2020
So much packed into one little book! This book is mostly about Gidget, the small but mighty pug. However, it is ALSO about the science of waves, how to surf, dog surfing competitions, and the pacific trash ring! I highly recommend for dog lovers or surfing fans.
September 10, 2021
Meet Gidget, a champion surfer dog. Learn how her human Alicia, got Gidget into surfing, a health scare that almost ended her career before it began, how Gidget bounced back from that, and how she and her human use their platform to help others. Along the way readers also get to learn about the science of waves, buoyancy, the physics of surfing, surfing terms, safety tips for surfing and swimming at the beach, and how to know if your dog might like surfing.
I love how they seamlessly wove in the physics of surfing, buoyancy, and wave dynamics into this true story about Gidget. It is a very captivating way to learn this science as it very relevant to the story and helps you understand how a little pug can surf, and the many things Alicia is watching for to find her a good wave. Gidget's story is both cute and inspirational. It seems funny but very believable to learn that in a quest to keep a hyperactive dog somewhat calm, her human tried so many activities with her. And I love how Alicia is using their platform now to help others who have faced health issues or trauma, and also working to help clean up beaches. Kids will be drawn to the story of how a dog became a champion surfer and the fantastic pictures of her in action. Parents and teachers will love the end message about using your platform to help others, and also the way this book teaches some solid science. Highly recommended!
I love how they seamlessly wove in the physics of surfing, buoyancy, and wave dynamics into this true story about Gidget. It is a very captivating way to learn this science as it very relevant to the story and helps you understand how a little pug can surf, and the many things Alicia is watching for to find her a good wave. Gidget's story is both cute and inspirational. It seems funny but very believable to learn that in a quest to keep a hyperactive dog somewhat calm, her human tried so many activities with her. And I love how Alicia is using their platform now to help others who have faced health issues or trauma, and also working to help clean up beaches. Kids will be drawn to the story of how a dog became a champion surfer and the fantastic pictures of her in action. Parents and teachers will love the end message about using your platform to help others, and also the way this book teaches some solid science. Highly recommended!
April 8, 2020
Note: I received a free digital copy of this book through NetGalley.
I think my opinion of this might change if I saw it in a print format- it's possible that my main issues with it (layout) would be addressed in a physical copy.
I loved the story of Gidget and how the author was able to combine a story of a dog that surfed with the science of waves/surfing. Adding in a surfing dog definitely added to the interest level for this book. However, those bits also caused some issues for me as I was reading because of the fact that they felt placed in odd locations. This is quite possibly due to the fact it is an advanced copy- and a digital one at that- but the formatting really threw me off. The captions for the photos also were on the wonky side so it was hard to tell which photos which captions went with.
Because of the formatting issues and confusion they caused I bumped this book down to 2 stars- but the story of Gidget and the melding of that with science gets 3.5 stars.
I think my opinion of this might change if I saw it in a print format- it's possible that my main issues with it (layout) would be addressed in a physical copy.
I loved the story of Gidget and how the author was able to combine a story of a dog that surfed with the science of waves/surfing. Adding in a surfing dog definitely added to the interest level for this book. However, those bits also caused some issues for me as I was reading because of the fact that they felt placed in odd locations. This is quite possibly due to the fact it is an advanced copy- and a digital one at that- but the formatting really threw me off. The captions for the photos also were on the wonky side so it was hard to tell which photos which captions went with.
Because of the formatting issues and confusion they caused I bumped this book down to 2 stars- but the story of Gidget and the melding of that with science gets 3.5 stars.
June 19, 2020
I admit I almost squeed when I saw the picture of this adorable pug in a suit on a surfboard. I absolutely adore pugs and would love to have one, only my allergies would not allow me to have one full-time.
But this pug is not your ordinary pug. In fact, she seems to want to defy all of the rules. She is super active and she actually loves water. And eventually, she becomes a surfing dog, even having success after a massive setback. You get to see her story play out in real photographs. They are so CUTE!
You also get to learn a lot about surfing. I do not do well in deep water, so I have never learned much about the sport. Now I know a lot more! And you get to learn about the problems of beach pollution. So you get some good education thrown in with all of the cute.
It would be an interesting read for a kid who is into surfing. And it's a must-have for one who loves pugs.
Thank you to the publisher for fulfilling my review request via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
But this pug is not your ordinary pug. In fact, she seems to want to defy all of the rules. She is super active and she actually loves water. And eventually, she becomes a surfing dog, even having success after a massive setback. You get to see her story play out in real photographs. They are so CUTE!
You also get to learn a lot about surfing. I do not do well in deep water, so I have never learned much about the sport. Now I know a lot more! And you get to learn about the problems of beach pollution. So you get some good education thrown in with all of the cute.
It would be an interesting read for a kid who is into surfing. And it's a must-have for one who loves pugs.
Thank you to the publisher for fulfilling my review request via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 19, 2020
What I expected to be a short, gimmicky dog book for middle grade students turned out to be a fully fleshed out dog biography with several extra twists. Of course, one unique aspect was the sport of dog-surfing itself, but rather than just a brief mention that pug Gidget does it, author Elizabeth Rusch gives readers a thorough look at how the sport executes a competition and includes photographs of a variety of competitors and their owners. The photographs are another treat and the crew of artists who captured such great action shots and sweet poses are to be commended. The final surprise was all the science included in this book. Using kid-friendly vocabulary, sketches and interesting formatting, Rusch covers buoyancy, wave formation, and a several other water and surfing related science topics. A winner for libraries serving kids in grades 4-6, whether in a school or at home. Thanks, Amazon Vine, for providing me with this book.
February 14, 2020
In this book we meet real life pug Gidget and his owner Alecia and we join them on their surfing adventures as Gidget enters dog surfing competitions.
With diagrams to explain about surfing and photographs to show Gidget in action and victories they've achieved it was a fun quick read about a pet hobby/sport I didn't realise even existed!
Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!
With diagrams to explain about surfing and photographs to show Gidget in action and victories they've achieved it was a fun quick read about a pet hobby/sport I didn't realise even existed!
Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!
October 6, 2020
I read this for the one reason that pugs are the best dogs. The book is nothing special, it details the life of Gidget (the pug) and includes plenty of reference photos for not only her personal surfing journey but surfing and dog surfing in general. It doesn't offer much but....there are pug photos.
January 11, 2021
Oh my goodness! Such a cute book! Surfing dogs, science, and helping the community and the world all in one book! So great! Gidget (and Alecia) are so inspiring! We need more teams like them in our society!
July 27, 2021
Trust me when I say that this book will not sit on the shelves for long. A must for any collection catering to dog lovers and surf enthusiasts. A tad long, but filled with lots of great information about the physics of waves and surfing, not to mention lots of adorable pictures of surfing dogs!
September 17, 2021
Learn about Gidget the surfing dog while also picking up on science facts about waves and the physics and math of it all such as buoyancy. With great photographs to chronicle Gidget's story, this is a stand alone book on a topic that I never even knew existed.
January 29, 2022
This one is for a niche audience. I liked the scientific explanation of waves and surfing, and in the back of the book there is a good message about garbage and plastics on the beach. For most of the book, however, I was thinking WTF--why are you teaching your dog to surf???
April 28, 2020
This book has such a wonderful story and lots of great photos. I also liked that there were som info-boxes with more information.
September 1, 2020
Surfing tips are spot on.
September 22, 2020
This was so cute and informative!
I did not know a great deal of the science involved with surfing. Lovely story and it has a pug!
I did not know a great deal of the science involved with surfing. Lovely story and it has a pug!
December 3, 2021
Amazing dog!
February 6, 2026
This is more of a documentary/biography of real dogs who enjoy surfing, along with a lot of surfing information. Those dogs and their human companions are incredible!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews