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Chip Wants a Dog
Chip is dog-crazy. All he ever thinks about is dogs. All he ever talks about is dogs. If Chip had a dog he would teach it to sit stay, fetch, and rollover. He would love it, and it would be his best friend. But Chip's parents do not want a dog. His mother is a "cat person," and his father has the usual concerns. Poor Chip. He resigns himself to his sad fate, until one night he dreams up the perfect solution to his dog problem.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2003
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 1, 2014
No. NO! This is the most brilliant beginning reader I have ever read. Chip wants a dog. Chip is played by one of William Wegman's gorgeous Weimaraners, but that is not what is genius about this book. Chip's parents - who do NOT want a dog, for all the usual reasons - are also played by Weimaraners. One in a wig. And while a dog in a wig is GENIUS of the first water, that is not what is genius about this book!
NO!
What is genius about this book is the ending! A surprise ending in a Beginning Reader! Who ever heard of such a thing! I MEAN. We know that Amelia Bedelia is going to fuck things up because of her literal interpretations of common idiom. We know that Elephant and Piggie's friendship will conquer all.
BUT I DID NOT KNOW that one of William Wegman's Weimaraners was going to wake up from a dog-dreamy sleep, look in the mirror, and go "HOLY SHIT! I do not need a dog! I AM A DOG!" (Paraphrase.)
This is new to me. I have watched William Wegman's Weimaraners pose, nap, contort, allow themselves to be wigged and costumed, all while gazing at the camera with the most soulful expression. But I have never seen one of William Wegman's Weimaraners wake up and claim his dogness.
GENIUS.
NO!
What is genius about this book is the ending! A surprise ending in a Beginning Reader! Who ever heard of such a thing! I MEAN. We know that Amelia Bedelia is going to fuck things up because of her literal interpretations of common idiom. We know that Elephant and Piggie's friendship will conquer all.
BUT I DID NOT KNOW that one of William Wegman's Weimaraners was going to wake up from a dog-dreamy sleep, look in the mirror, and go "HOLY SHIT! I do not need a dog! I AM A DOG!" (Paraphrase.)
This is new to me. I have watched William Wegman's Weimaraners pose, nap, contort, allow themselves to be wigged and costumed, all while gazing at the camera with the most soulful expression. But I have never seen one of William Wegman's Weimaraners wake up and claim his dogness.
GENIUS.
April 22, 2013
William Wegman continues to delight children in another picture book; Chip Wants a Dog. This book is a humorous look at Chip who wants a dog more than anything else in life. Chip spends the majority of the book talking about why he wants a dog, and trying to convince his parents that he needs a dog only to discover at the end that he is a dog. Wegman stays true to his form by using his weimareiner dogs in place of human characters. This technique adds unique whimsy to his stories, and is found entertaining by children.
Children will thoroughly enjoy watching Chip as he pursues a puppy of his own, especially since they are already aware that Chip is a dog. This classic use of dramatic irony propels the story and the humor. While the reader knows that Chip is a dog, he remains unaware until he has a dream. Wegman’s obvious use of irony also makes Chip Wants a Dog an ideal introduction to literary technique in the classroom. Teachers can use leading questions such as “why is it funny that the main character is a dog?” to lead students into a basic understanding of irony and its effectiveness.
Readers should not be fooled by the simple content, and light-hearted nature of this picture book. It is a short enjoyable read for children and adults, yet still manages to provide many teaching moments for students.
Children will thoroughly enjoy watching Chip as he pursues a puppy of his own, especially since they are already aware that Chip is a dog. This classic use of dramatic irony propels the story and the humor. While the reader knows that Chip is a dog, he remains unaware until he has a dream. Wegman’s obvious use of irony also makes Chip Wants a Dog an ideal introduction to literary technique in the classroom. Teachers can use leading questions such as “why is it funny that the main character is a dog?” to lead students into a basic understanding of irony and its effectiveness.
Readers should not be fooled by the simple content, and light-hearted nature of this picture book. It is a short enjoyable read for children and adults, yet still manages to provide many teaching moments for students.
April 17, 2021
One of my favorite kids books.
June 3, 2024
Chip is dog-crazy, according to the author. By the time sensible readers go through this easy reader, they may be temporarily addled. Just a bit.
What's the problem?
Okay, the hero of this book is dog-crazy. He wants a dog badly.
That's not so weird, is it?
Only right from the first page, an alert reader cannot help but notice that Chip himself is a dog.
To this Goodreader, that's troubling. On so many levels.
But young readers don't specialize in complexity. Or even assessing the human condition, and how dogs don't experience that, not even if the dogs have cute names that sound human, like "Chip."
FIVE STARS so we can keep this reviewing simple.
What's the problem?
Okay, the hero of this book is dog-crazy. He wants a dog badly.
That's not so weird, is it?
Only right from the first page, an alert reader cannot help but notice that Chip himself is a dog.
To this Goodreader, that's troubling. On so many levels.
But young readers don't specialize in complexity. Or even assessing the human condition, and how dogs don't experience that, not even if the dogs have cute names that sound human, like "Chip."
FIVE STARS so we can keep this reviewing simple.
October 28, 2025
This takes the cake for the weirdest, most outlandish children’s book I’ve ever read and I loved every second of it. Chip wants a dog. Is it a little strange that Chip looks like a dog? Maybe. The real problem is that Chip’s parents don’t want a dog because Chip’s dad says they’re too much work, and Chip’s mom says she prefers cats. Is it a little odd that Chip’s parents look like dogs? Perhaps. The weirdest and best part of the whole book is Chip having a dream he’s a dog and waking up to realize that he is, in fact, a dog! Bananas! Perfection!
October 8, 2017
Weirdest. Book. EVAR. And I loved it. Chip wants a dog, but his parents won't let him have one. Spoiler alert, his parents also have Weimaraner heads. This is a beginning reader so it might be a little long for a younger storytime, but it's silly enough that it could probably keep the attention of some older kids.
March 14, 2023
Every parent who reads this book will understand Chip's persuasion to beg for a pet. As a child, I begged my parents for a fish. We had dogs. My kids have begged for rabbits, fish, birds, kittens & puppies. As parents, we know the responsibility of caring for an animal beforehand, so we say no. Or we could say yes. You will have to read to find out if it was a yes or no answer to get Chip's pet.
November 23, 2017
This seems to be one of my daughter's favourites; she has rented it for the 3rd time from the school library. It's a strange story, but she loves the pictures and gets a kick out of the ending every time. It has made her smile
November 16, 2017
This is such an ironic, sarcastic amazing book.
November 27, 2017
Simple, complex, profound.
December 25, 2017
Funny stuff.
April 20, 2018
Another book that may not have mass appeal but my school groups usually think it's as funny as I do.
January 16, 2020
Funny pictures and a story kids will engage with easily.
September 21, 2019
I love this book. Different ages like the book and story for different reasons. Chip is obsessed about getting a dog, and going through his daydreams about wanting something so badly is a very real thing we can all identify with. In the end he realizes ... I won't spoil it for you. The message is one reason this book is so dear to me. The photos are adorable, too. Kids and people like me could reread this book over many times just to look at the photos. If you love dogs, you love Wegman. At least I always have.
January 17, 2008
I love this book. So do my kids. in my opinion, the best of william wegman's Chip/Fay/Batty/Chundo/Crooky dog series. If we ever get a dog, I'm going to try to persuade my kids to give it one of the above five names.
February 16, 2015
I really enjoyed the theme of this book. I think many children go through spells during their childhood of wanting one thing more than anything else. However, I found the illustrations in this book creepy and disturbing. I would not read this to a classroom full of children.
August 1, 2012
I know some people find his stuff really creepy, but I love that about it. Chip had great expressions and the decor of the house was FABulous.
August 12, 2012
Part of a collection of books used to support a unit devoted to learning more about self through learning about dogs and pets. This is a darling book in which Chip learns more about HIMSELF! Perfect!
May 25, 2013
What a weird, weird book. Apparently I missed those episodes of Sesame Street. I liked it in a weird way.
December 3, 2013
dear bill
u rok
u r my faverit
see u latr
u rok
u r my faverit
see u latr
July 8, 2014
As much as I enjoy Wegman's photography, the book was just okay. It didn't really grab the Offspring or myself.
October 22, 2014
I think this is great fun and kids always enjoy William Wegman. How nice that Penguin is putting these out as beginning readers.
January 14, 2015
There's nothing more hilarious than animals dressed as people. This book delivers!
January 24, 2015
Pick enjoyed the photos and the story was good.
May 26, 2023
un peu bizarre et trop sympa j'adore les images c'est super kitsch
August 6, 2011
What a cute story by Wegman! And, even more awesome photos!
September 11, 2012
but I AM a dog!!! I AM a dog!!!!! wegman and his weimaraners at their very best.
February 10, 2016
The best book ever for little kids and their parents who want a dog.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews