Spike: Ugliest Dog in the Universe

Great book even for my boy students! Can't wait to read it to them. Being a dog lover these issues are close to my heart.

Outstanding storytelling! Images are fresh and the texture pops. I know that kids will gravitate toward this beautiful-ugly-beautiful pup! Give Spike a read!

Spike Ugliest Dog in the Universe was released on October 1!!I guess you can't call this a book review -it is really a book recommendation. Debra Frasier appears to have done it again creating a perfect book as a teacher mentor text. She has in the past connected to vocabulary learning (Miss Alaineus), science concepts (The Incredible Water Show), alphabet learning (A Fabulous Fair of Alphabets), as well as her original book connection to birth and the world around us (On the Day You Were Born).Now she gives us a wonderful way to explore teaching voice in our writing. The story is of Spike an ugly dog building a friendship against all odds. Spike is written in first person, which give us a chance as teachers to explore writing from another persons or animals view point.Debra's creative art works as a metaphor for the beauty we find in things that may appear old or useless. She works in collage, which is a great medium to use with students.With Debra there is always an added bonus. Stop by her web site to view how Spike was created from "ugly" old blue jeans or view the gallery of images on how to develop a characters voice. [...]

Again, Debra has integrated robust vocabulary into an interesting story. A bit over the top for preschool/ kindergarten.... but has potential. Illustrations are different, making it a topic for comparison as well. Enjoyable.