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Animus
A girl tries to make friends with a chained dog she meets along her path. When she realizes that the dog growls at others and is not going to accept her offers of friendship, she learns to accept that she cannot make every encounter a friendly one and continues to enjoy the friendly animals she does meet.
34 pages, Board Book
First published October 15, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 14, 2022
A pop up, moving picture book about a girl who befriends a tied up & neglected dog with patience and a gentle voice.
July 25, 2024
Pretty pop up book with a lesson I feel like you don't see much in children's media.
October 19, 2013
This is another book from Baby Tattoo Books catalog. Came across this publishing company while looking up Gris Grimly. check out their books. www.babytattoo.com
This short little kids book is very strong worded for children, but the cool little pop-ups keeps them glued. A story of a little girl trying to friend a dog that shows wrath. Here is a line from the book.
"Knowledge is a sword, but also protection. For what is important, and this should be mentioned:
It's not the sharp words, the claws or fangs, It's what we do to ourselves that cause the angst."
This short little kids book is very strong worded for children, but the cool little pop-ups keeps them glued. A story of a little girl trying to friend a dog that shows wrath. Here is a line from the book.
"Knowledge is a sword, but also protection. For what is important, and this should be mentioned:
It's not the sharp words, the claws or fangs, It's what we do to ourselves that cause the angst."
February 8, 2007
This is a wonderful little book. It's a pop-up book that shows the relationship between a little girl who can't understand why the mean pitbull barks at her when all she wants to do is make friends. In the end she realizes that it really has nothing do with herself, and finally comes to live harmoniously in that relationship. It makes a great gift for sensitive people.
June 29, 2012
This is a beautiful little pop-up book with a difficult message, that no matter how hard we try or how much we desire convergence, it just may not come to be. A lovely depiction of acceptance.
March 24, 2008
Good for teaching children about not being afraid of the past.
June 20, 2008
complete perfection.
August 5, 2016
4.5 stars. A quiet, sensitive little girl attempts to make friends with an aggressive, chained dog. She doesn't understand why the angry pit bull rebuffs her every overture, and the situation haunts her. Finally, however, she realizes that the dog's behavior has nothing to do with her, and some animals (and people) simply don't want to be reached out to. It's best to stick with those who do enjoy our company.
I related easily to the main character, and I feel this is a message we all need to hear sometimes. I have encountered many "angry dogs" throughout my life, many of which I spent entirely too much time trying to help or befriend and getting growled and snapped at in the process. I suppose it's the nature of us oversensitive people.
While is a pop-up book, I recommend it to adults and older children who can understand it is an allegory. If taken in a straightforward manner, Animus models some extremely dangerous behavior. Children should be taught never to approach an unknown dog, especially one on a chain. Chained dogs frequently become unsocialized and highly territorial, and placing a child into that volatile mix is a recipe for disaster. So judge for yourself if the youngsters you're reading to are able to grasp the story's true meaning.
I related easily to the main character, and I feel this is a message we all need to hear sometimes. I have encountered many "angry dogs" throughout my life, many of which I spent entirely too much time trying to help or befriend and getting growled and snapped at in the process. I suppose it's the nature of us oversensitive people.
While is a pop-up book, I recommend it to adults and older children who can understand it is an allegory. If taken in a straightforward manner, Animus models some extremely dangerous behavior. Children should be taught never to approach an unknown dog, especially one on a chain. Chained dogs frequently become unsocialized and highly territorial, and placing a child into that volatile mix is a recipe for disaster. So judge for yourself if the youngsters you're reading to are able to grasp the story's true meaning.
December 22, 2019
Gorgeous illustrations, but the text did not work for me at all. I don't mind so much the "big" words in the text--serenity, intractable, indiscriminate, etc. What I disliked most was the rhythm of the story. The main character is just about to solve her problem, and then you get a single page with about as much text on it as was in the whole rest of the book combined. And the text on that last page doesn't continue the story--it shifts gears and gets all preachy with morals like "Knowledge is a sword" and "A full life is marked by the highs and the lows".
I have a hard time envisioning any child who will like a "story" like this. And I also have a hard time envisioning any parent who will want their young child to read a story about a vicious, chained-up dog whom a little girl walks right up to in order to "face her fears".
I have a hard time envisioning any child who will like a "story" like this. And I also have a hard time envisioning any parent who will want their young child to read a story about a vicious, chained-up dog whom a little girl walks right up to in order to "face her fears".
October 25, 2008
This book I bought at Wordstock in Portland last year. This book is a book that every child should read. It is so very touching, especially if you read it as an adult. Everyone that I have shown this book too has cried at the end. It's just amazing.
It shows children how to find your own peace in a sometimes scary world.
I just LOVE this book!
It shows children how to find your own peace in a sometimes scary world.
I just LOVE this book!
June 1, 2012
This book puzzled me upon first read. In a literary double-take I re-read it. Then I had an a-ha moment.
The reason I read it twice was simply because the message that this story conveys is not that which is generally found in popup books.
Simple and brilliant for kids of all ages.
The reason I read it twice was simply because the message that this story conveys is not that which is generally found in popup books.
Simple and brilliant for kids of all ages.
September 28, 2008
Very cute. The writing was kind of goofy but the pictures were just too freaking adorable.
February 17, 2010
Maybe I expected too much, but this was a disappointment.
August 4, 2010
This is truly a work of book art: a pop-up for grown-ups.
December 28, 2010
Beautiful illustrations. cute story.
March 25, 2014
This was NOT what I was expecting; very strange little book. It's either waaay deeper than I took it for or exactly what I thought it was. Either way, the graphics/layout are nifty.
September 14, 2013
It was pretty good but a little young for my age.
July 14, 2008
i like this illustrator.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews