Once I Ate a Pie

Summary: This book encompasses a variety of poems told from a dogs persepective. The words within the poems reflect each of their personalities from big dogs to medium sized dogs to tiny dogs.

Bib Info: Maclachlan, P. & Maclachlan Charest, E. (2006). Once I ate a pie. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children’s Books.

Interest Level: K-3

Impression: This is a cute book of poems told from thirteen different dogs perspectives. Some of the words within the poems look like themselves or are portrayed how one might say them. The illustrations compliment the poems well.

Reviews and Awards: ALA Notable Children's Books 2007, Kirkus Reviews 05/01/06, Booklist 05/01/06, New York Times 07/09/06, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 06/01/06, School Library Journal 05/01/06, Horn Book 10/01/06, Wilson's Children 10/01/10

Reviews: Every dog has a unique personality, as seen in these fourteen poems. There's the timid puppy who stays close to his owner; Lucy, adopted from a shelter, who claims everything is "mine"; and Pocket, who's tiny but thinks he's huge. The paintings of these appealing dogs add to their charm. Some of the shaped lines of text, however, are distracting.
[Review of the book Once I ate a pie, by E. MacLachlan Charest & P. MacLachlan]. (2006, Fall). Horn Book. Retrieved from: http://www.hbook.com

PreS-Gr 3-Free-verse poems about 14 individual dogs sprawl across oversize spreads accompanied by large oil illustrations. The poems and paintings together delightfully capture each distinct personality in few words and with broad strokes of the brush. The fonts change often and reflect the poet's words-rising and falling, sometimes in bold type, growing larger and smaller and dancing over the pages. The format allows for plenty of white space, emphasizing the postures and personalities of the pups and helping the playful fonts to stand out. The overall result is an entertaining visit with some very appealing canines, and a book that perhaps could serve as an inspiration in the classroom for young poets trying to describe their own pets. One wishes that the breeds were listed somewhere, but all in all, this title is still a real treat.
Constantinides, J. (2006, May 1). [Review of the book Once I ate a pie, by E. MacLachlan Charest & P. MacLachlan]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from: http://www.slj.com/

Use in library setting: This book can be paired with a poetry unit. Limericks or concrete poetry could be a fun way to peak student interest and get them engaged.

Another book that comes to mind that could be paired with a poetry lesson is called Flawed Dogs by Berkeley Breathed (pictured below). It isn't a poetry book, but the writing is colorful. The pictures alone can spark a student to use descriptive language.