Reviews

Along Came a Dog, by Meindert DeJong

poplartears's review

3.0

This was an different sort of book for us as it is told mostly from the animals' perspectives. It was interesting to look at things from each animal's point of view, how the dog knew the man was good, how the rooster felt about the chickens, how the little red hen felt about the other chickens and the man. Blake found the violence of the chickens a little disconcerting at first. The development of the relationships between the dog, the hen and the man and the way the three are able to communicate with one another is charming and realistic. In his own way the man is a naturalist and we see how his observations of life around him influence his behavior.

minda's review

relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

erinnicole's review

informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

theblessedeveryday's review

1.0

This is truly one of the most boring books I’ve ever read in my life. We valiantly tried to do this as a family read-aloud. I forced the first 100 pages before allowing my kids to abandon it. My daughter, not usually sneaky, then guiltily admitted she has tried hiding it under the couch just so we wouldn’t have to read it for school time. I finished the last 70 pages on my own purely out of determination and wanting to mark it as read on my Goodreads list.

1morechapterplz's review

5.0

Along Came A Dog is an adorable story about a loyal stray who ends up best friend and protector to an outcast chicken. It doesn't have a sad ending like some dog books do. It's a feel-good book with a simple plot, endearing characters, and some animal antics!

tamarayork's review

3.0

A dog decides it’s his duty to protect a little red hen in the barnyard. This story did a great job of giving insight into the minds of the animal characters without anthropomorphizing them. It reminded me of The Underneath by Kathi Appelt. I went between 3 and 4 stars on this one. In the end, I wanted a bit more heart in the story.

tealmango's review

3.0

Read the full review here: http://newberyandbeyond.com/newbery-book-roundup-january/

This book is by Meindert Dejong, a guy who I’ve had limited success reading in the past. This is partly because his books are old, and they read that way–the stories are old-fashioned and slow, and usually not much happens. Another strike against Dejong is that he tends to write animal books, something I have a hard time liking. But this one wasn’t too bad. I enjoyed the story of the little red hen, the big dog, and the man who watches out for them both. It’s cute and lighthearted, especially if you or your kids are particularly interested in the eccentricities of farm animals.

darthchrista's review against another edition

3.0

An interesting book about unlikely friendship and PS chickens are mean.

triscuit807's review against another edition

5.0

4.5-5 stars. "A stray dog earns a home for himself by protecting a little red hen and her chicks from a preying hawk." This description is 100% true, but it doesn't really describe the book. I'm not sure how sensitive readers would handle the events of the book. The little hen's toes have frozen off over the winter and she walks on the stumps of her feet. Because she is odd, the other chickens attack her over and over (yes, henpecked is a thing). There is a dog who is searching for a home (and a purpose) and, in spite of the man repeatedly driving him off and abandoning him, keeps returning to the barn and the chickens because he can sense there is kindness in the man. There is death in the story, but it's the death found in the farmyard. This is not a gentle read, but there is kindness in it just as there is kindness in the man. I have become a Meindert DeJong fan. I read this for my 2020 Reading Challenge (PopSugar "bird on cover"-rooster) and my Newbery Challenge (Honor 1959).

luann's review against another edition

4.0

I really liked [b:The Wheel on the School|468116|The Wheel on the School|Meindert DeJong|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1319734799s/468116.jpg|2943137] by Meindert DeJong, but I didn't expect to like this one as much. It's just about a dog and some chickens! But DeJong kept me fascinated with this story. I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen with the dog and the little red hen.

I've read some reviews complaining about the violence, but the rooster and chickens in the story acted pretty much just like all the roosters and chickens I've ever seen. My family nearly always had chickens while I was growing up, so I've seen a lot of chickens.

If you are looking for a realistic, well-written, award-winning story about a loyal dog and a brave little red hen, look no further! This was a Newbery Honor winner in 1959. I enjoyed it a lot. Now I look forward to reading: [b:The House of Sixty Fathers|508836|The House of Sixty Fathers|Meindert DeJong|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347654717s/508836.jpg|3026511], [b:Shadrach|474934|Shadrach|Meindert DeJong|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320318064s/474934.jpg|2943139], and [b:Hurry Home, Candy|1377515|Hurry Home, Candy|Meindert DeJong|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1319733727s/1377515.jpg|1802977], also Newbery Honor books by Meindert DeJong.