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The Pup Speaks Up
Pal is a pup who’s a bit on the quiet side. But after some gentle prodding and encouragement from a few “talkative” friends, the pup finds the courage to speak up and take his final bow-wow!
- GenresChildrensPicture Books
32 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 3, 2025
Bo and his new dog wander around checking out animal sounds while they wait to see what the dog will sound like.
Even my dog-loving daughter found this book meh when she was two-and-a-half.
Even my dog-loving daughter found this book meh when she was two-and-a-half.
October 24, 2008
Hays, Anna Jane. The Pup Speaks Up, Random House, 32 pages. Step into Reading series, leveled early reader.
Description: Bo has a new dog named Pal. Pal doesn't make any sounds, but after visiting different animals and hearing the sounds they make, Pal finally barks much to Bo's delight.
Review: This level one reader is effective for children who are in the very earliest stages of reading. Each page contains four to 12 simple words appearing in large type with ample leading. Each word contains either one or two syllables and most words will be familiar to young children. New words are introduced through rhyming or through some other commonality with nearby, known words. The images provide context clues, but are simple enough to keep from being distracting. Similarly, the plot is not complex and builds to the resolution of one simple problem--to get the pup speak up.
In a short introduction, the publishers of this series explain that The Pup Speaks Up, is intended for children in pre-school or kindergarten. This may be true for kids who have already mastered the alphabet, but some children may not be ready for this book until first grade.
Professional Reviews:
Cooper, Ilene. Booklist, July 1, 2003.
Cooper stresses the repetition and rhyme used in this book and how this helps foster recognition. I completely agree with this assessment.
Description: Bo has a new dog named Pal. Pal doesn't make any sounds, but after visiting different animals and hearing the sounds they make, Pal finally barks much to Bo's delight.
Review: This level one reader is effective for children who are in the very earliest stages of reading. Each page contains four to 12 simple words appearing in large type with ample leading. Each word contains either one or two syllables and most words will be familiar to young children. New words are introduced through rhyming or through some other commonality with nearby, known words. The images provide context clues, but are simple enough to keep from being distracting. Similarly, the plot is not complex and builds to the resolution of one simple problem--to get the pup speak up.
In a short introduction, the publishers of this series explain that The Pup Speaks Up, is intended for children in pre-school or kindergarten. This may be true for kids who have already mastered the alphabet, but some children may not be ready for this book until first grade.
Professional Reviews:
Cooper, Ilene. Booklist, July 1, 2003.
Cooper stresses the repetition and rhyme used in this book and how this helps foster recognition. I completely agree with this assessment.
December 5, 2023
Clever wordplay enlivens this charming book with a phonics approach to learning how to read.
"Clever" that is, for a very young reader. Perhaps, Goodreaders, you will not feel thrilled to read text like this, from two facing pages:
A train calls,
"Choo choo!"
A baby cries,
"Boo-hoo!"
Look, Shakespeare it's not. But the creative use of illustrations, and the straightforward incentive to read-read-read, have charmed me.
I'm delighted to rate this early reader at FIVE STARS.
"Clever" that is, for a very young reader. Perhaps, Goodreaders, you will not feel thrilled to read text like this, from two facing pages:
A train calls,
"Choo choo!"
A baby cries,
"Boo-hoo!"
Look, Shakespeare it's not. But the creative use of illustrations, and the straightforward incentive to read-read-read, have charmed me.
I'm delighted to rate this early reader at FIVE STARS.
May 25, 2021
I like it because I like dogs. My favorite part was when Pal spoke up saying " bow wow wow" at a cat.
February 16, 2023
This book is pretty good. Easy to read ish. There are silly names in this book.
(narration by an 8 year old)
(narration by an 8 year old)
April 5, 2024
My 6 year old daughter was almost able to read this book by herself.
March 26, 2009
The Pup Speaks Up is about a boy who tries to get his dog to talk. The dog"s name is Pal and all he does is wag his tail. Bo, the boy, takes his dog for a walk so they can hear how other animals talk. They see a duck, bee, rooster and owl. After they hear how all the other animals speak, Bo says "Bow wow wow."
July 31, 2013
Level 1 Ready to Read Phonics
I have to admit the eyes kind of creep me out in this book. As you can see on the cover the eye color is determined by the "halo" around the eye. It's different.
The story is pretty basic. The pup is quiet as the boy goes around and introduces the pup to all the other barnyard animals. Finally the pup speaks up when introduced to the cat.
I have to admit the eyes kind of creep me out in this book. As you can see on the cover the eye color is determined by the "halo" around the eye. It's different.
The story is pretty basic. The pup is quiet as the boy goes around and introduces the pup to all the other barnyard animals. Finally the pup speaks up when introduced to the cat.
May 8, 2015
This book would be a fun read to beginning readers. I enjoyed how the book was set up with repetition of words, the sounds animals make, as well big text. I would have my transitional readers read this. There is more words to read, a small plot, and great use of phonemic awareness. I would read this with kindergartner or early first grade readers.
August 12, 2016
A very fun book that not only has simple words for beginning readers but helps with teaching/reinforcing recognition of animals and the sounds they make. Rowan thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and has even taken it to bed with her several times.
Read
February 7, 2008Right now we're working on me reading this book to mommy! We do just a few pages a night because I'm so stubborn!
February 20, 2012
A bouncy ball goes boink, boink, boink and a happy pig says oink, oink, oink. J
November 15, 2012
I thought this book was okay.
May 15, 2013
You told me you liked it, but the eyes were weird.
January 8, 2014
A cute find from the local library.
This was an easy reader with colorful pictures, a nice basic animal to sound review, and simple words.
This was an easy reader with colorful pictures, a nice basic animal to sound review, and simple words.
December 27, 2015
Lots of repetition / familiar format for beginning readers.
June 8, 2016
Yay more onomatapoeia books.
Read
October 2, 2016also rhymes
shows a pup going on a walk and what he sees and hears
the pup finally makes his own sound
shows a pup going on a walk and what he sees and hears
the pup finally makes his own sound
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews