I`m My Own Dog - Children`s Book Week

I’M MY OWN DOG
Story-Time Kit
Many dogs have human owners. Not me. I fetch my own
slippers, curl up at my own feet, and give myself a good
scratch. But there is one spot, in the middle of my back, that
I just can’t reach. And one day, I let a human scratch it.
In I’m My Own Dog, Caldecott Honor winner David Ezra
Stein puts a spin on the saying “man’s best friend” that has
both humor and lots of heart. Young dog lovers will chuckle
as this dog teaches its human all the skills he needs to be a
faithful companion.
Extend your story-hour fun with these kid-friendly (and
canine-friendly!) projects inspired by I’m My Own Dog. This
kit includes reproducible elements with directions for a story
time that will make kids bark with excitement!
HC: 978-0-7636-6139-7
DIRECTIONS
I AM My Own Dog
After reading I’m My Own Dog, ask the children to
imagine what they would do if they were their own dog.
What kind of dog would they be? What would they eat?
Where would they go? What would they do that other
dogs can’t? If they could choose their own name, what
would it be? Then have them draw a picture of
themselves doing their favorite Own Dog activity and
write their Own Dog name on the corresponding
reproducible.
Dog Tag
Challenge the children to name the dog. Use the
corresponding reproducible and have the children write
the name they came up with on the dog’s tag, then color
in the rest of the scene.
This Is My Story
As a group, write your own version of I’m My Own
Dog by filling in the blanks on the corresponding
reproducible. Call on the children to get ideas for the
items in parentheses, such as a type of animal, a piece
of clothing, and so on. Once all of the blanks are filled
in, read the story out loud.
This is a story about a very independent dog who
doesn’t think it needs anyone — until it finds the perfect
“friend.” Ask the children if they have a pet and discuss
the feelings they have toward their pet. Ask them to
think about their pet’s name. Then ask them the name
of the dog in the story. They will soon realize that the
author did not provide it with a name or a gender!
I’m My Own Dog Story-Time Kit ∙ Candlewick Press ∙ www.candlewick.com
Illustrations copyright © 2014 by David Ezra Stein
This is me:
I AM MY OWN DOG
This is my dish with my name on it:
I’m My Own Dog Story-Time Kit ∙ Candlewick Press ∙ www.candlewick.com
Illustrations copyright © 2014 by David Ezra Stein
DOG TAG
I’m My Own Dog Story-Time Kit ∙ Candlewick Press ∙ www.candlewick.com
Illustrations copyright © 2014 by David Ezra Stein
THIS IS MY STORY
I’m my own . No one owns me — I own myself.
(animal)
When I get home, I fetch my own ,
(piece of clothing)
eat my own , and curl up on my own
(food item)
.
(piece of furniture)
If someone told me to “ ,” I wouldn’t do it. Even if they
(a command)
said, “I’ll give you .”
(treat)
One day, a human named followed me home.
(name)
So we went to the and played .
(place)
(game)
Some folks say humans aren’t worth the trouble. You can’t keep them
from .
(verb that ends in -ing)
But between you and me, we’re best friends.
I’m My Own Dog Story-Time Kit ∙ Candlewick Press ∙ www.candlewick.com
Illustrations copyright © 2014 by David Ezra Stein