Plot Summary
This is a story of a stray dog told in a unique way. A Haiku on each page follows the story of a stray puppy as he finds a home, gets to know a family, and faces the possibility of ending up at the pound.
Personal Reaction
I am the ultimate dog-lover! I can scarcely remember a time when I didn't have a dog, or four. I once carried one home from school on the bus, and was allowed to keep her. It's no wonder that this book had such an impact on me. I love it and highly recommend it!
Memorable Literary Element
The Haiku is a fun way to introduce children to poetry, nature, syllables, and in the case of this book, a dog.
Illustrations
Warm, brightly colored illustrations tug at the reader's heart. Even the most resolute would let this Mooch in.
This is a story of a stray dog told in a unique way. A Haiku on each page follows the story of a stray puppy as he finds a home, gets to know a family, and faces the possibility of ending up at the pound.
Personal Reaction
I am the ultimate dog-lover! I can scarcely remember a time when I didn't have a dog, or four. I once carried one home from school on the bus, and was allowed to keep her. It's no wonder that this book had such an impact on me. I love it and highly recommend it!
Memorable Literary Element
The Haiku is a fun way to introduce children to poetry, nature, syllables, and in the case of this book, a dog.
Illustrations
Warm, brightly colored illustrations tug at the reader's heart. Even the most resolute would let this Mooch in.
Reviews/Awards
Booklist, 2007 - The title and the cover picture of a cute dog wistfully staring into a house are clues but not to what you might guess. This is no canine Sudoku; it’s a shaggy dog story told in haiku. When a homeless dog shows up at the back door, a family takes him in, feeds and bathes him, and names him Mooch. Mooch laps up all the attention, but will his bouncy doggie antics send him to the pound? Bowers’ lively oil paintings are, well, doggone charming. Expressions and body language are on target and animate the short, snappy text. The pet experience is a clever, fun introduction to the poetic form and an engaging lead-in to a class writing exercise. An author’s note provides background on haiku. Adorable dog / seeks a family and a home / wagging tail, ace tale. — Julie Cummins
Booklist, 2007 - The title and the cover picture of a cute dog wistfully staring into a house are clues but not to what you might guess. This is no canine Sudoku; it’s a shaggy dog story told in haiku. When a homeless dog shows up at the back door, a family takes him in, feeds and bathes him, and names him Mooch. Mooch laps up all the attention, but will his bouncy doggie antics send him to the pound? Bowers’ lively oil paintings are, well, doggone charming. Expressions and body language are on target and animate the short, snappy text. The pet experience is a clever, fun introduction to the poetic form and an engaging lead-in to a class writing exercise. An author’s note provides background on haiku. Adorable dog / seeks a family and a home / wagging tail, ace tale. — Julie Cummins
Promotion Ideas
This book is an obvious choice for a lesson in poetry, specifically the Haiku; however, it could also be used to teach inference. Project each illustration from the book on a screen or wall, wit the words covered. Students will be writing a part of a story for each illustration as it is displayed. By the time the last illustration is viewed and written about, each student should have a completed story of their own creation. To wrap-up, each student gets to share his/her own story with the class as the illustrations are displayed. Lastly, the teacher will read the actual text to the class and discuss student reactions to similarities and differences between the actual story and their own.
More poetry ideas here
How to write Haiku
How to write a "Who Am I?" Haiku
All student haikus can be displayed on a bulletin board outside the classroom to be shared with others in the school. It could be changed seasonally, which would allow the teacher to revisit/reinforce this form of poetry throughout the year.
This book is an obvious choice for a lesson in poetry, specifically the Haiku; however, it could also be used to teach inference. Project each illustration from the book on a screen or wall, wit the words covered. Students will be writing a part of a story for each illustration as it is displayed. By the time the last illustration is viewed and written about, each student should have a completed story of their own creation. To wrap-up, each student gets to share his/her own story with the class as the illustrations are displayed. Lastly, the teacher will read the actual text to the class and discuss student reactions to similarities and differences between the actual story and their own.
More poetry ideas here
How to write Haiku
How to write a "Who Am I?" Haiku
All student haikus can be displayed on a bulletin board outside the classroom to be shared with others in the school. It could be changed seasonally, which would allow the teacher to revisit/reinforce this form of poetry throughout the year.
Bulletin board photo by Tara Sullivan.