“Every Dog in the Neighborhood”
by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Matthew Bordell.
Holiday House, New York, 2022, 40 pages, Grades 1-3.
Many people enjoy reading dog stories. There are many reasons for this. First, dogs are pets in many homes. This has earned them the name, “Man’s best friend.”
Second, dogs are usually bearers of happiness. Picture books with dogs are usually fun to read. This book, by Philip C. Stead, “Every Dog in the Neighborhood,” is no exception.
Finally, people often have fond memories of dogs, which allows them to enjoy the story. In this book, we see young Louis telling his grandma he would like a dog for his own. Her response to Louis’s request is comical and touching.
The two first sit at the kitchen table, and Grandma tells Louis her knees hurt, which can only mean one thing: it is going to rain. Louis is puzzled by her thinking. Grandma tells him to put on his raincoat, because they are going for a walk.
Louis eagerly asks if he can get a dog. Grandma tells him this idea is nonsense since the neighborhood already has many dogs. She thinks City Hall should have an answer about the dog population.
As a result, Louis writes a letter to City Hall, asking how many dogs live in his neighborhood. The response from City Hall is that they do not keep records of the dog population.
City Hall is no help, so Louis decides to take a dog census of the neighborhood. He walks throughout the area, knocking on doors to ask the residents if they have a dog. Louis gets a variety of touching answers and begins tabulating the results.
Grandma is keen to know what is going on in the census. She sees an abandoned field in the center of the neighborhood and an idea begins to form. At the last house in the neighborhood, Louis meets a sad man with a lovely dog. What does Louis write in his census report?
Have you ever owned a dog? Did the dog bring you joy?
What happens to the beautiful dog at the last house? Does City Hall ever respond to the issues Louis has raised? What part does Grandma play in solving these problems? Does Louis ever get his wish?
To find out, go to the library and check out “Every Dog in the Neighborhood” by Philip C. Stead.
This is a charming story that will lift your spirits. You have to love Louis’s determination as he takes the dog census of his neighborhood, hoping to convince Grandma that he needs a pet. The writing is inviting and the illustrations are delightful. This story can be used effectively in the classroom setting or in shared reading with a child.
If you are in need of a pick-me-up, this joy filled story is just for you. I hope you get a chance to go to the library and check out “Every Dog in the Neighborhood” by Philip C. Stead.
