I Am Not a Dog Toy

by Ethan T. Berlin, Jared Chapman (Contributor)

A toy bear insists that he's a kid's toy--not a dog toy--in this story that shows that a true friendship is always one that goes in both directions.

A fun bear, who wears a vest with many pockets, is the brand new toy for a little girl. Bear couldn't be more excited to play with the girl, but she is a little less than enthused. In fact, she throws him into the dog's water bowl. Splash! Bear doesn't take the hint. Dog, however, is very excited to play with Bear. But Bear insists he is not a dog toy, he is a kid's toy. So he keeps trying to get the girl's attention... to no avail. Will Bear ever realize that Dog is the better friend?

Kids making friends will see that friendship isn't really friendship unless it's reciprocated in this hilarious and sweet picture book.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Humor, Childrens, Fiction, Friendship, Animals

40 pages, Hardcover

Published March 23, 2021

Reviews

[Michelle Kellar · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 4 y/o granddaughter loved it. Giggled all the way through

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I was going to like this book, but I had no clue it would be my new favorite picture book. I love reading picture books. This book made me laugh so much. Everyone needs a friend, let the shenanigans begin.

[Savannah Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK.

[Linda Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandson loved this book. It was just right for an almost five year old who has two dogs and a cat. I enjoyed the story line and illustrations too. It is a fun read.

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I am not a dog toy.” Is literally what I tell my whacky mutt on the daily. She loves toys and they are everywhere except in her toy box. Still I am tugged on, climbed on, nibbled and licked as if I am one of her prized toys. I laugh until I can’t breathe and she gets distracted by a squirrel.
This book brought me that same joy!

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unrequited love story?

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a hilarious book about a new teddy bear that wants to be friends with the birthday girl that he was given to. Unfortunately, she is not interested in him and throws him to the side. Her dog, however, would love to be friends with the bear. But the bear doesn’t want to be a dog toy, until he realizes that the friendship he is looking for, is with the dog.

It is a great message to kids about finding friends that are friendly and actually want to be friends with them. That message is a bit to old for my three year old, but he loved it anyway. He cracked up laughing at so many parts. This is a really fun book to read aloud, especially you you like to do different voices for the characters. Highly recommend!

[Kelly]

Really cute even if some of it was a Toy Story rip off.

[Cyndee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable - great illustrations - we have dogs, and if they could talk...this would be the conversation they have with their dog/people toys. LOVE!!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told from the perspective of a stuffed bear who is ready to have fun with his recipient, this picture book will prompt smiles from readers. And maybe they'll treat their stuffed toys a little bit better. In the story, the bear is super excited about all the adventures he and his new owner will have, but she isn't interested in him and tosses him aside. However, somebody else is eager to play with the bear. But the bear sees that as a comedown since dog toys tend to be beat up and dirty, and he is above all that. After all, he's destined to be a toy for a child. No matter how appealing the bear makes himself, his new owner is completely disinterested, tossing him behind the bed and pushing away while she's reading. Eventually, he realizes that he needs to take what's been offered and that the dog will be a far better companion than the girl ever could be. The simple digital illustrations fit the storyline perfectly and make the games the two new friends are playing particularly exciting when compared to the girl simply reading on the couch.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a little girl gets a teddy bear for her birthday, she leaves it in the dog's water bowl. the dog is so excited for the teddy bear, but the bear is not a dog toy. When the bear tries to convince the dog that he is a fancy kids' toy, the dog plays with him anyway. Although he has fun, the bear is determined to make the girl like him, rather than the dog. But maybe he needs to appreciate the one who wants to play with him.

The situations were funny and the idea is clever, but Ugh - I really don't love it when authors tell the whole story in character dialogue - especially when objects talk to people (and this one answers back!) The illustrations are great - very like a comic book, especially when the dog and the bear are playing together, and I especially loved the pages that were illustration only.

Cross posted to https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Read Ribbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of identity confusion when a toy bear who sees himself as a child's toy is embraced by the family dog as a dog toy instead. The bear resists the dog's interest as he pursues a relationship with the little girl. She does not want to have anything to do with the bear leading the bear to conclude a more exciting life might come from embracing the dog's friendship. Discussions about who makes the best friend would grow naturally from the book. The illustrations are done in a funny cartoon style. The three main characters' dialogue are written in different fonts which sets the book up well for triad/choral readings.

[Cass · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happens when a perfectly new children's toy becomes a dog toy? What if they didn't want to be a dog toy?!

Love the concept. The artwork is fun. Not in love with the final execution as much as I thought I would be. It didn't sing as much as I thought it was going to sing. Is it the writing? The tone? I'm unsure.

(Also, did anyone raise an eyebrow at the illustrations of the dog and the bear on the bed covered in pillows after the "Smack Pow" fight?)

Fun recommendation for a kiddo with a dog. Not screaming about this from the rooftops though.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars My 9-year old read this book and literally laughed all night thinking about it! He LOVED it. I didn't find it quite as funny as my son but children will appreciate the story of a teddy bear who is determined NOT to be a dog's chew toy. The book is a little difficult to read out loud because it's all dialogue between the characters so you really have to distinguish who is talking. I also didn't love the illustrations.

[Jj · Rating 2 out of 5]

WOW. Is the child in this story simply allowed to act so abusive towards all toys? I get that this kid doesn't want the toy, but how is it acceptable to hurl it and kick it around? I also don't see any older siblings or adults around, so maybe that's how things roll in the household?

And yes, as others have pointed out, too many similarities with some Toy Story elements, which is... not great. Overall, disappointing.

[Lori Tart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a laugh-out-loud, hilarious read aloud book that should not be missed for children first grade and under. I read this to my Kindergarten/1st grade group at our local elementary school and they begged to read it again when we finished. I think that is the true test of a successful story when I hear that.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unwanted teddy bear gets adopted by the family dog. This had a "Toy Story" ring to it, and was decently funny. The girl being really unappreciative of the toy made me a bit grumpy, though. Like if you don't like it, fine, but you don't have to chuck it in a water bowl.

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Bear is in for a rude awakening when his expectations are shattered. The girl he's gifted to doesn't appreciate his uniqueness, but Dog does. This is an adorable story of enjoying life with new friends. The illustrations are bright and comic book like, which adds to the charm.

[Judy Sobanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed out loud at the dialogue between the teddy bear and the dog. The expressive illustrations were very fun, too. A clever premise of a child's toy who totally thinks he's above being a dog toy but in the end, realizes that he much prefers the treatment and friendship of the dog.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

When his human flings him away, Teddy has to contend with the dog thinking that they should play together. But he's NOT a dog toy! Or is he? Who does he really have the most fun with? Who would never throw him into "the wedge."

Hmmm ... maybe being a dog toy isn't such a bad thing afterall.

[Michele Knott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of Toy Story-ish, parts were funny, but I did not like how the child acted and how the bear sometimes spoke.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and fun.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and amusing.

But what is that kid's deal?!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and enjoyable storybook

[Lynsey McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hysterical little graphic storybook

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bears are definitely having their picture book moment, but this funny take stands out from the stacks. A great pick for bookish kids with dogs.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect mentor text for voice.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a dog lover, you'll find this to be pretty cute.

[Kary · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun to read aloud! My students LOVED it.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bear learns he is a dog toy.