Not Afraid of Dogs

by Susanna Pitzer, Larry Day (Illustrations)

Daniel is the bravest boy of all!

Daniel isn't afraid of spiders. He isn't afraid of snakes. He isn't even afraid of thunderstorms. And no matter what his sister says, he's certainly not afraid of dogs — he just doesn't like them. But there's no avoiding them when he comes home and his mother is babysitting his aunt's dog.

Susanna Pitzer's humorous look into the nature of courage, fear, and friendship has a touching outcome for both the brave and the frail of heart, with expressive illustrations by Larry Day.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Animals, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 16, 2006

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a funny and charming story and has terrific pictures, and it could be helpful to kids who have fears, especially a fear of dogs or other animals.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today was the first time I used this for a storytime. A boy says, "I'm the bravest boy of all! I'm not afraid of spiders. I'm not afraid of snakes. I'm not even afraid of thunderstorms." His sister comments that he is afraid of dogs. However, Daniel just claims not to like them. Daniel stays away from them until his Aunt's dog comes to stay in his house. Daniel hides in his room, but during the night has to go to the bathroom. He peeks out his door and doesn't see Bandit and runs to the bathroom. Only to find Bandit hiding behind the toilet, from the thunderstorm, after closing the door.

For an older preschool crowd, but one girl commented after the program that this one was her favorite. She came back with the sitter & checked this, Bark, George, & Please Take Me For a Walk out. (First time I've had 3 of the books for a story time checked out.) 8/1/12

This went over really well at Story Time too, even though it was the last book. Everyone stayed up front and one child wouldn't leave even though her caretaker, wanted to go. 8/5/14

Went over well again. Though had it as the second story.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming book about a boy who is afraid of dogs, although he is brave about everything else. He tells people, that it isn't that he is afraid of dogs, he doesn't like them. He is appalled to come into the house one day and find a dog on his Mom's lap. "Mom, you know I don't like dogs" he storms. He spends the rest of the day in his bedroom to avoid the dog...and his sister's teasing. But he needs the bathroom that night so sneaks into the bathroom thinking no one was around. He did this in a thunderstorm which doesn't bother him one bit. However, it bothers someone else. A great deal! How he handles the fear of the other inhabitant of the bathroom is utterly charming. Having never been at great ease around dogs (OK, I don't dislike them once I know them, but yeah, I'm afraid of strange dogs!) I wanted to see how the author handled this fear. This should be a very useful book for reader's advisory. It can be used for dog lovers as well as those not too sure of dogs.

[Fisal Ansari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age:
Grades 5-8

Genre:
realistic fiction

Diversity
Dogs animals.

Illustrations:
drawings.

Personal response:
This was an interesting book.

Curricular or programming connections:
Not sure.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book about a little boy who is brave and not afraid of anything. Not even dogs - he just doesn't like them. Then a dog comes to stay with his family and he learns that they aren't so bad after all.

Nice illustrations.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniel is not afraid of dogs...he just doesn't like them.

I wish I would have thought of this when I was a kid because I was TERRIFIED of dogs, lol.

Nice story!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel is the bravest boy of all! He's not afraid of spiders, snakes, or thunderstorms! His sister Jenny says he's afraid of dogs! Daniel disagrees. He just doesn't 'like' dogs. Daniel avoids dogs at all costs until one day when he comes home to find a dog in his home! His aunt needs someone to keep her dog, Bandit, while she is away on a trip. Later that night, Daniel and Bandit have a close encounter during a thunderstorm. Daniel realizes that Bandit is just as afraid of the thunderstorm as Daniel is of Bandit. Finally, they have a bonding moment and Daniel takes Bandit back to his room to comfort him during the storm.
The conclusion to this story melted my heart! It was so satisfying to see Daniel overcome his fear in order to comfort another. As a dog lover and fur-mom of 3, I recognize the vulnerability Bandit shows during the thunderstorm and his need for companionship, as well as feel pride in Daniel for showing compassion and seeing past his own fear.

Teaching points: anger, fear, SEL, courage, dogs, bonding, character analysis

Suggested grade level: K-2

Location:
LES library

Related reads:
Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio
Hello Goodbye Dog by Maria Gianferrari
Hickory Dickory Dog by Alison Murray
The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! by Mo Willems

[Caitlin Connelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel, who is the main character likes to think he is very brave and not scared of anything. Except for dogs. He avoids them at all cost and would rather take the stairs then be in an elevator with one. Unexpectedly, his aunt drops off her dog, Bandit. Daniel is very scared and won't even come out of his room. One evening there is a huge thunderstorm and Daniel wakes up to go to the bathroom. In the bathroom he encounters Bandit. He eventually overcomes his fear of dogs and ends up cuddling with Bandit all night long. The major theme of this book is overcoming your fears. I really enjoyed this book as it has such a great message. It took something not so scary that you could control unlike the weather and makes him overcome his fear. I would recommend this book because I think this would be a great book for children who are afraid of dogs to read. This could be a great way to begin a conversation about it.

[Milton Louie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniel meets Bandit. B

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my 6-year-old grandson who really enjoyed this book, predicting the ending. The illustrations are well-done. A good read for young boys!

[Vlada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute picture book, perfect for Storytime.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very realistic, and very fun to read.

[allyson skibinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book and to the point.

[Kandrea Cheney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awe... such a cute sweet little story about a boy scared of dogs, a dog scared of thunderstorms, and how they finally find comfort in each other.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about a boy coming to terms with his fear of dogs. Charming art and lovely heart-warming story.

[Krista Vogts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because it shows that everyone has something that they are afraid of. This book would be great to show to students because it teaches them that sometimes you have to face your fears. Daniel decides to face his fear of dogs when he sees that the dog is scared of the thunderstorm. Daniel realizes that dogs aren't as scary as he thought, and he decides to protect the dog. This story is cute, and flows really well.

[Alexis Espinosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Afraid of Dogs: Daniel is the bravest boy of all. He isn't afraid of spiders or snakes. He isn't even afraid of thunderstorms. And no matter what his sister says, he's certainly not afraid of dogs -- he just doesn't like them. But there's no avoiding them when he comes home and his mother is babysitting his aunt's dog.

Comments/observations: This books reading level is kindergarten through second grade and the themes include values, overcoming fears, and character. My emotional readers response to this book was that it has a good message to readers that it is okay to be afraid of something and that sometimes what you are afraid of can be harmless and you can overcome that fear if you take a chance.

How I can use this book in a classroom: If I read this book to first graders I would read the book to them and then ask them some questions to reflect on the story. Some of these questions include, Why do you think Daniel always says "I'm not afraid of dogs, I just don't like them"?, How did Daniel feel when he saw Bandit in the bathroom?, and then I would ask if they ever stopped being afraid of something and what was it that helped them overcome that fear.

Pitzer, S., & Day, L. (2006). Not afraid of dogs. New York, NY: Walker Childrens.

[Elizabeth Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pitzer, Susanna. Not Afraid of Dogs. Illus. Larry Day. New York: Walter Publishing Company, Inc. 2006. Print. Fiction, fears, courage. In this this children’s story we meet a boy named Daniel who isn’t afraid of anything…accept for dogs. One day his family is dog watching for his aunt and he learns to face his fears and discovers that he really likes dogs. I think the author depicts fear incredibly accurate. In this book Daniel is afraid of dogs for what seems like no reason and he goes to ridiculous lengths to not ever face his fear. When he has to one night he’s very cautious at first and analytical but he soon realizes that there was nothing to be afraid of. This process is something that anyone can relate to, not just children. I think this book would be good to read to a class and talk about fears and how they are okay to have and sometimes help us. Sometimes though what we fear isn’t real and we can learn ways to face them.

[babyhippoface · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I'm the bravest boy of all!" Daniel announces loudly and proudly to his sister. "I'm not afraid of spiders. I'm not afraid of snakes. I'm not even afraid of thunderstorms."

But Jenny knows the truth: "You're afraid of dogs."

"I'm not afraid of dogs, I just don't like them."

No matter what he says, Daniel is most definitely afraid of dogs. He'll deny it all day long, but he's afraid. So you can imagine how he feels when he comes home to find his mother sitting on the couch holding his Aunt Rose's dog in her lap. Daniel spends the rest of the day in his room. A bedtime bathroom trip gives Daniel another shock, and a realization as well.

Nothing really spectacular here, but it's cute and would be good to share with little ones who are afraid of dogs (no matter what they say).

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Afraid of Dogs in the story of a little boy Daniel, who isn't afraid of anything. He just doesn't like dogs. When he comes home to find his mom holding Aunt Rose’s dog Bandit, he doesn't know what to think. His sister calls him a “fraidy cat” and he reinforces he just doesn't like dogs. Daniel spends the rest of the day in his room away from Bandit, but then in the middle of the night he has to use the bathroom and finds Bandit hiding. Daniel learns that sometimes it’s more important to help others than to worry about your own problems.
In elementary school, this is another good book to teach empathy and compassion for others. Could be used as a read aloud of independent reading, also would be a great narrative writing hook, to begin a unit on writing about your fears

[Ngoc Dang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great in teaching children to understand that everyone has something that they are afraid of. The kid is afraid of dogs, but he says that he doesn't like dogs. He makes excuses to stay away from dogs. When he had the chance to see that a dog was afraid of thunder, the kid understood that everyone has something that they are afraid of. This book shows that it is okay to be afraid of things. We just have to try and understand new things.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many a child is afraid of dogs, of these most are scared for no apparent reason. Sometimes this is overcome by the realization that dogs are not so different from people. This is the case with Daniel, who bonds with Bandit over a shared emotion. The author see no reason to go into greater depth in what is a very serious problem for some people. It is not that she makes light of the matter, but for a phobia, Jason overcomes it too easily.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daniel is not afraid of dogs! He just doesn't like them. His dislike is tested when Aunt Roses' dog has to come stay for awhile. One night there's a terrible thunderstorm. Daniel finds the little dog howling in the bathroom, afraid of the thunder. The two of them find that they can keep each other company.

[Melissa Gruber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book, "Not Afraid of Dogs". I have the biggest weakness for dogs and this story got me. It made me laugh and it also touched me heart. I think dogs are very compassionate creatures, and to me, this book portrayed that. I would definitely recommend to other children. It may even help young children overcome a fear of dogs.

[Chantel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't connect with this story. The illustrations were fine but didn't warm me to the story. Maybe if I had a child who was afraid of dogs I would add a star or two. My puppy loving family can't relate.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

on many levels, a great book. boy is brave about everything, except dogs. when a thunderstorm hits during the family's dog-sitting of aunt's dog, he changes his mind through comforting a dog terrified of storms. girls liked it.

[Christine Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young Daniel must confront his fear of dogs when his mom dog sits his aunt's pet. www.hcpl.net

I like that this book deals with a fear that many children have. Also, it focuses on caring for others.

[Katey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book about not being controlled by your fears. You always need to be cautious about dogs but there is nothing to be scared of. Daniel learns that since he is the bravest boy then he can help comfort those that are scared.

[Gryphon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an exceptionally cute book about a boy that "is not afraid of dogs!" He just "doesn't like 'em."

This is a good book to show little kids who may not like dogs that dogs get scared too.

Hopefully this book will help children and their adults get over the fear of dogs.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

AR 2.2 -- 0.5

Enjoyable book.
Boy turns his attitude from "I'm not afraid of dogs, I just don't like them" to loving dogs.