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Cover of Dog breath

Dog breath

Dav Pilkey

First published 1995 · 32 pages

A hilariously pungent tale that proves even the most embarrassing flaws can save the day.

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What it feels like

Reading this book feels like sharing a massive, goofy inside joke with a child. It moves at a brisk, energetic clip, propelled by exaggerated illustrations and a delightfully irreverent narrative voice that never takes itself too seriously. The atmosphere is purely chaotic and cheerful, leaning into the kind of mild gross-out humor that reliably elicits giggles from young readers. Beneath the surface-level silliness and clever wordplay lies a surprisingly sweet core about loving our pets exactly as they are. It is a vibrant, laugh-out-loud experience perfect for energetic storytimes, appealing directly to kids who love rooting for the underdog and celebrating the wonderfully weird quirks that make us unique.

Mood
  • goofy
  • cheerful
  • lighthearted
  • chaotic
Tone
  • playful
  • irreverent
  • exaggerated
  • punny
Pace
brisk
Themes
unconditional love for pets · hidden strengths · accepting flaws · comedic redemption
The writing
The text is punchy and accessible, driven by clever wordplay, sight gags, and a delightfully silly narrative voice.
The arc
The journey shifts from the comedic anxiety of losing a beloved pet to a triumphant, laugh-out-loud celebration of her unique flaw.
Who it's for
Young readers who delight in mild gross-out humor, silly puns, and underdog stories will beg to read this again and again.
Content notes
  • mild gross-out humor
  • comedic home invasion

About the book

Hally, the Tosis family dog, has such bad breath that Mr. and Mrs. Tosis plan to give her away, until she proves to be an invaluable watchdog.

Description from Open Library.

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