A Spiritual Dog: Bear

[mommyreadsbooks]

I just completed this book on my kindle. I saw it was listed a children's book. I really don't feel as if this would be a book a lot of kids would want to rush to read. I love dogs and I have a dog whom I call my first born, her name is Maggie.

I did really enjoyed the pictures of the family and of the dog. It added a personal touch to it. It was nice to look at the dog and see who the author was talking about.

[gali]

I agree. I love dogs and have a dog which was adopted from a local animal shelter, so was interested in the book. However, the book fell short of my expectations. I liked it overall, but found the language a bit dry and flat. It was a quick read, but not something which would appeal to many kids mainly because of its language and theme. I have read plenty of kids' books about dogs which were better suited to kids. It is a lovely memento of the dog though, and the lovely pictures sure added to the touching story.

[e-tasana-williams]

I had a similar feeling about the book. As I read it I got the feeling this was a story mostly written for the author's family as a remembrance of their beloved pet. The quickly drawn illustrations and need for editing reinforce this perception.

[bookowlie]

I had a similar feeling about the book. As I read it I got the feeling this was a story mostly written for the author's family as a remembrance of their beloved pet. The quickly drawn illustrations and need for editing reinforce this perception.

I totally agree. I felt like the author wrote the book as a loving tribute to the family's dog. I did like the hand-drawn illustrations since they added a whimsical touch, but the book certainly could have used a good editing.

[Heidi M Simone]

I agree. I love dogs and have a dog which was adopted from a local animal shelter, so was interested in the book. However, the book fell short of my expectations. I liked it overall, but found the language a bit dry and flat. It was a quick read, but not something which would appeal to many kids mainly because of its language and theme. I have read plenty of kids' books about dogs which were better suited to kids. It is a lovely memento of the dog though, and the lovely pictures sure added to the touching story.

I agree wholeheartedly. I love dogs and adopted one, as well. Going into the book, I definitely was expecting more as well. However, this book seems more for the family to remember their loving dog.

[Annelore Trujillo]

I agree. I think that the concept behind the book is interesting. However, I didn't really like the way it was written. I don't feel like the style of writing was great for kids. I think it was a little boring for young children. I did like the pictures, and I liked that it was a true story. I thought about my nieces while reading this, though, and I don't think I would be able to keep them interested while reading this.

[Kia]

I also felt like this book served its purpose in helping to heal a grieving family. I don't know how much it will really appeal to other children though.

[Rachaelamb1]

Same here. I love dogs and was expecting something a bit more.

[t-michelle]

This does not sound like a book I want to get for my children. Everyone seems disappointed.

[Michelle92]

I don't feel this is a book that every child would enjoy becuase it depicted the dog's death too descriptively. But in a way I get it was a form of grieving for the family.

[ebeth]

Yeah I'm not a big fan of reading books with pictures but in this case I will have to agree with you on this.

[stoppoppingtheP]

I think the author sincerely wrote his true portrayal of what an important part of his life his dog was. However, it was not a very interesting book to read.

[lucymn11]

I feel like if you're writing about the death of a pet to smaller children, you have to be careful, while if you're targeting an older audience, obviously that's less important. A good idea for a book, but not totally well executed. I agree that it was likely wrote for the author's family, for which I hope it served its purpose.

[littlefrog]

I am a total dog lover...have three...always have always will. I think that I will avoid this book, as I am one that can't stand if anything happens to the dog. I read Marley and Me and was absolutely forbidden to read it in bed, because I would laugh out loud and wake my husband up, however Marley and Me was the first book I did not finish and I knew what was coming, I closed the book and didn't finish it. Left it on a high note. Also wouldn't watch the movie.

It is important to have books for children that addresses life's issues, but it really needs to be geared toward their level of thinking. It doesn't teach them anything if they can't understand. Hopefully this created closure for the author.

[Nmesoma]

I love dogs, fussy about them but the story is ill-developed and there wasn't much background. It's hard to loose a pet who's stuck by yourself through straight and curved and at least that I can relate to.