W is for Woof: A Dog Alphabet

by Ruth Strother, Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen (Illustrator)

What walks on four legs, runs in a 1,150-mile race, detects bombs, tracks bad guys, and still enjoys an afternoon of chasing Frisbees? It's Canis familiaris, otherwise known as the dog. Whether a mutt or purebred, the domesticated dog has been a part of human society for thousands of years. W is for A Dog Alphabet offers a canine course through simple rhymes accompanied by informative, entertaining sidebar text. Subject matter includes behavior, obedience training, grooming, and health care. O is for Obedience A dog who sits, and comes, and stays, and, overall, one who obeys, is calm and happy and carefree because she knows how she must be. After reading W is for Woof, you will have a better understanding of what makes "Rover" tick from the top of his head to the tip of his tail.Ruth Strother was the first editor-in-chief of BowTie Press, the book division of Fancy Publications which publishes magazines such as Dog Fancy and Popular Dogs. Her books for children include My Pet Dog, which was nominated for the 2000 ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award. Ruth lives in southern California. Artist Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen has illustrated more than 20 books with Sleeping Bear Press, including the bestselling The Legend of Sleeping Bear; Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot; Friend on Freedom River; and his popular Hazel Ridge Farm stories. Gijsbert lives in Bath, Michigan, with his wife, Robbyn. They both travel to schools in the Great Lakes area.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Dogs, Childrens, Nonfiction

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 16, 2008

About the author

Ruth Strother has been in the publishing industry for over thirty years. She was the first editor-in-chief of BowTie Press, owned by the publisher of Dog Fancy magazine, among others, and was instrumental in launching its book division. She's written twenty-five books for children, some under the name Ruth Berman.

Ruth was born in New York and spent her childhood in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She now lives in Southern California with her husband, daughter, and dog.

Reviews

[Amanda Hegel]

This book is a great way to teach kids about the alphabet since it is about cute puppies! There is a small writing of text that the child can read but also a more in depth paragraph on the border of the page so that older kids will be engaged as well.

[Peacegal]

W is for Woof begins with ‘A’ for ‘American Kennel Club.’

Breeds from all around the world stay true and perfect as can be, under the watchful eye of the AKC.

Yeah, about that. Maybe not so much.

However, unlike the show breeders’ world, the author of this book does not snub those animals who are not members of the canine 1%. The artwork showcases a collage of smiling mutts under an “M” for Mixed breeds, applauds shelters’ work and doesn’t shy away from showing a sad picture of a skinny stray dog.

Unfortunately, the author parrots the lines of pit bull terrier ownership and breeding groups in other areas of her book. After a section of sport and working dogs, the author states:

In the past, though, dog entertainment included dog fights, bull baiting, and other violent activities. Fighting breeds were developed and are still around. Most of these dogs make loving and obedient pets if they are bred and raised properly. Strict laws protect dogs today, and any form of dog fight is illegal.

Dogfighting is indeed illegal, but that hasn’t deterred those determined to engage in this cruel but lucrative “sport”. (Just ask Michael Vick.) Dogfighting is, in fact, now more widespread than it ever was, and many fighting breeds are not bred properly. Pit bulls and their close relations remain backyard-bred animals frequently selected either for outright aggression, or for certain looks (huge heads, popular coat colors) without heed to temperament.

At the book’s conclusion, the author presents a short section of fun facts, two of which specifically highlight pit bull terriers. The first makes the strange-sounding yet common claim that there is no such thing as a pit bull terrier.

She then pulls out the most tiresome of canine fables:

At one time, pit bulls were known as nursemaid’s or nanny dogs because they were so trustworthy around children.

False. There is absolutely no proof that pit bulls (or any other breed, for that matter) were widely known as “nanny dogs” in any world other than the Internet-amplified PR machine of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.

[Allison]

This book is of similar fashion to Strother's other book, B is for Blue Planet. There is a lot of text on each page but the main alphabet part is readable for younger audiences. It would require a more experienced reader to assist with the rest of the text. It is a very informational book on dogs and what kid doesn't enjoy learning about animals?

This book is appropriate for ages 5+

I would utilize the book in a classroom setting to teach the alphabet and to possibly do a project revolving around dogs.

[Kayla]

This book is good for teaching children about dogs and the alphabet. Each page starts with a new letter and has a small rhyming for the dogs. It also has explanations and fun facts as foot notes for the parents to read if the child has questions. The pictures of the dogs look like paintings and are very nice.

[Heather Chang]

Lots of good dog information and pictures are done in soft watercolors. The book probably would not hold the interest of a beginning to read child as it is very text heavy but older dog lovers will enjoy all the dog facts.

[Jeanette Johnson]

The book is extremely informative but not accessible for younger students. The illustrations are lovely but there is too much text. I don't think an older student would appreciate the alphabet concept of the book as well.

[Amy Brown]

Another alphabet book by Sleeping Bear Press, this time about dogs. Gives good info and has illustrations by my favorite Michigan Artist, Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen.

[Jim]

the first drawing is of the most viscious looking poodle i've ever seen, but if my ass were shaved like that i'd be pretty damn mad. "z is for Zig Zag Zoomies" it is? really?