Two Dogs in a Trench Coat Go To School Book Review

Two Dogs in A Trench Coat Go to School by Julie Falatko Illustrated by Colin Jack 

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Genre: Fiction

Introduction and Justification:

          Every year a list of Bluebonnet books is released. The Bluebonnet books are read and voted on by students in the State of Teas. Two Dogs in a Trench Coat Go to School is nominated for the Texas Bluebonnet Award 2019-2020. Julie Falatko is also the author of Snappsy the Alligator Did Not Ask to Be in the Book and Snappsy the Alligator and His Best Friend Forever (Probably). Both books have whit and charm. They have become stables in the classroom library.  Her books use talking animals and humor to share a message. The cover itself also was cute seeing two dogs standing on top of each other in a trench coat. This amusing book tells the tale of what happens when two dogs go to school to save their human.

Evaluation of book:

          Two Dogs and a Trench coat uses dialogue, understatement, and unexpected insights. This humorous book intertwines these elements to make a fun book that everyone can relate to and enjoy. Falatko is able to teach lessons and about society, how we treat each other, and problem solving in her dialogue, understatement, and even her unexpected insights.

          The dialogue in Two Dogs and a Trench Coat is simplified and expressive. You can tell what happens in the dog’s lives and their perspectives through their dialogue. It also gives you insight into their thoughts and wants. The reader also gets to see the eyes of a school through a dog’s perspective. The dogs love gym and lunch and trick their way into extra food using appropriate language for a student. Each sentence is intentional. She is giving everyone in the story clues that they are dogs, as well as setting up the plot and conclusion of the story. Even the last line where the Dad talks about getting rid of the trench coat and Stewart saves it has meaning.

          Falatko is an expert at using understatement. When she is talking about Bax she can let the reader draw their own conclusions. “I’m Bax. Bax the Bully,” (Falakco, 2018, p. 52). The reader initially assumes that Bax is a Bully. She then has Sassy and Waldo say “He doesn’t smell like a bully though” (Falakco, 2018, p. 66). As the book progresses you find out that his last name is Thabully. The way she progresses the story lets the reader make conclusions and think about the story.

          “Humans said what the rules were, and if you followed the rules, you got a cookie” (Falakco, 2018, p. 62). This simple statement gave unexpected insights into the way humans think and operate. The dogs talked about how they get a cookie if you follow the rules. Humans are always working for “cookies” as well. For the project and information sheet the “cookie” is a good grade, for work the “cookie” is a raise, affirmations, or promotion. Even in home the “cookie” is being viewed as successful. This simple line shows how humans are always working for a reward or an end goal and the rules help humans to achieve their product.

Response:

(a) Two Dogs in a Trench Coat is a humorous book. This book reminds me of my cats’ disdain for their mortal enemy squirrel. How they watch and keep the squirrels away. It connects as someone who just also desires resting. (d) I love how one of the dogs just want to take a nap but cannot because he has a job to do.  I feel like a lot of American’s feel this way. We are taught to keep doing and never let our bodies rest and relax. (e)This heartfelt book is a great book for all students, and adults. We all have times we struggle completing problems and do not even know how to ask for help. A wise person once said let me give you a list of things you can ask for help with because it might be so overwhelming you don’t even know what you need.   It is important to see that would can help someone, be there for someone, and ask for help. This book does a great job discussing how we need to get out of our comfort zone and do good. It also shares how we are all experts on our own thing, and we can share this expertise.

Conclusion:

This book is a must-read book. It deserves it place as a Texas Bluebonnet. It is light heartened, easy to read and can connect with adults and children. The book also, lets people know its ok to make mistakes, be a friend, and try something new. This book will be a book for animal loves as well. Most pet lovers will relate to Sassy and Waldo. They are like our cats and dogs at home. Always hungry, also wanting the correct attention, and always there for us when we need them most.

APA Citations:

Works Cited

Alsc. (2019). Awards, Grants & Scholarship. Retrieved from Association for Library Service to Children : http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants

Falakco, J. (2018). Two Dogs in a Trench Coat Go to School. New York, New York: Scholastic.

Texas Library Association. (2019). Reading Lists. Retrieved from TLA Texas Library Association: https://txla.org/tools-resources/reading-lists/

Williamson, O. M. (n.d.). How to Write a Reaction Paper or Reader Response. Retrieved from Reader Response: http://utminers.utep.edu/omwilliamson/engl0310link/readerresponse.htm