Clarion Books, Ages 4-8
ISBN: 978-0-618-79362-4
“A delightful romp . . . along with all the silly fun, there are also some heartfelt messages about friendship and the bond between animals and their human companions.” — ALA Booklist
“Readers will cheer for this well intentioned heroine and applaud her eventual success.” — Kirkus Reviews
— Bank Street Best Children’s book of the Year
— IRA/CBC Children’s Choice
The Desperate Dog Returns!
“Pitch perfect for those children adjusting to a new person in their lives.” — Kirkus
— A Junior Library Guild Selection
Facts about the Desperate Dog:
Name: Emma
Birthday: February 14, 1997
Breed: high-strung mutt
Hobbies: Eating
Favorite thing to do: Eating
Favorite sport: Eating
Favorite food: You name it; I’ll eat it! Cell phones, Halloween candy, trash…
Job: Keeping my humans in line.
Skills: Ladder-climbing, mouse-hunting, eating, running and …Shh-h-h! Don’t tell anyone—writing on the computer.
Favorite newspaper column: “Dear Queenie”
The Story:
Bad! Bad! Bad!
That’s all Emma hears from her human, George, all day long. What’s a poor, misunderstood, desperate dog to do?
Write to Dear Queenie, of course!
The canine advice columnist for the Weekly Bone suggests that Emma get off the couch and find a job. Soon Emma is embarked on an exciting career. . . and a whole new dilemma!
Find out how Emma and George decide they each are not so “Bad! Bad! Bad!” after all!
The Idea:
This book was inspired by the sometimes fractious relationship between my husband and our dog, Emma. Since I wrote this book, they are getting along much better! I think it helped them understand each other.
The Illustrations:
Letters From a Desperate Dog is part comic book, part picture book. Each of Emma’s misadventures is told in a comic strip; but it’s still important to have the surprises happen when the reader turns the page.
The illustrations were done with pen and ink and watercolor.
Written and Illustrated by Eileen Christelow
Clarion Books—2006
Age: 4–8
IRA-CBC Children’s Choice
Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year
“A delightful romp . . . along with all the silly fun, there are also some heartfelt messages about friendship and the bond between animals and their human companions.” — ALA Booklist
“Readers will cheer for this well intentioned heroine and applaud her eventual success.” — Kirkus Reviews
Click on the blackboard for classroom activities!
