John Grogan’s internationally acclaimed first book, Marley and Me, was published in 2005, and this beautiful picture book, Bad Dog, Marley (Harper Collins 2007, ISBN 978-0-00-725842-0) is based on John’s original work.
About the story
The family in the story are very happy with their copious amounts of pets, but they do not own a dog, until one day, Dad brings home Marley, a Labrador puppy, in a cardboard box. He is terribly cute as a pup, although he gets into all manner of puppy trouble.
However, Marley grows and grows, until the trouble he creates is not easily accepted by the family. However hard he tries to be good, he always fails, until the adults in the family decide that Marley will have to go. They advertise Marley as a dog who is free to a good home, but even then, he manages to antagonise anyone who comes to look at him.
But Marley proves he is a good dog after all, when he rescues the baby from danger in the kitchen. The family is so happy with him that he is allowed to stay, which makes the children in the story, and those reading it, very happy indeed.
Fabulous Features
The book’s highly illustrated cover is made of medium-thick card, which is quite sturdy enough for children who are beyond the mauling and chewing stage of handling books, and want to sit down with a good book. The pages are large and square, made from thick, shiny paper. As well as the story, on the inside back page children will find a potted biography of both the author and the illustrator, together with a photo of John Grogan and his dog.
What makes this book extra special, and makes it a perfect gift idea for little ones, is that it also includes a most entertaining reading of Bad Dog, Marley by Neil Patrick Harris on an accompanying CD, attached in the inside back cover in a clear plastic wallet.
The retelling on CD gives the story added dimension, allowing it to be read and listened to, even by the youngest of children, and can be a godsend for busy parents who maybe do not always have the time to read the story as often as their child would like.
That is not to say that books should not be shared by adults and children – far from it. Indeed, sharing the story gives ample opportunity for discussing, laughing at and just purely admiring the fabulous, detailed illustrations throughout the book by Richard Cowdrey. The realism in the illustrations brings each page to life, while still retaining enough of the “cutesy” factor to appeal to small children.
There is much more to talk about in these illustrations than simply how they illuminate the plot. The background features are simply superb and contain huge amounts of detail in the images of the rooms in the family’s house. These could be used as starting points for discussions about children’s own houses, possessions and where items are kept.
Good Value Gift
The book and CD are priced at £7.99, which is phenomenal value for a story which is guaranteed to be read, reread and listened to by the recipient for a long time to come.
It is a story which entertains, and highlights the trials and tribulations of owning a dog, but who could resist the cute little face of Marley? Take a look at the book and see!
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