I stumbled across Bad Dog by Mike Boldt (find at your local library or purchase on Amazon) at a local bookstore early last year. I’m always in search of new books for our various themes, and I had our “Pets” unit on the brain. When I found myself giggling out loud page after page, I knew I had to add this one to our school library.

This adorable book stars a gap-toothed little girl and her new “dog” Rocky (spoiler alert: Rocky is actually a cat). She proceeds to explain why Rocky is not a good dog. Rocky won’t go on walks, Rocky won’t sit or listen or do tricks. Rocky is just a bad dog.

What makes the book so funny are the joyful and frustrated looks on her face as she earnestly details Rocky’s failings as a dog. And equally hilarious are the expressions of abject exasperation and irritation on the face of Rocky, who cannot explain the obvious to her new owner — that she’s not actually a dog, thus, why she is so bad at being a dog.

This is a good one for a pet unit because it invites the questions of what qualities make a “Good Dog” and a “Good Cat” and we’ve created an enrichment activity below that you can use to track your kiddos’ responses.

This one had our kiddos howling with delight as once again they found themselves smarter than a book character — this is a common theme in favorite books in our classroom. I like that they get to learn about cats vs. dogs, and I like that it starts them talking about their own pets. Anything that gets them talking and sharing is a plus in my book.

(Below please find a list of reading comprehension questions and vocabulary words. This list is not exhaustive, and it may spark additional questions from your kiddos. As always, we recommend that you scaffold based on your age group and the wigglies of your kiddos.)

*Downloadable/printable copy of the book/lesson plan below*

Reading Comprehension Questions

Before you read: Show the cover, “What do you think this book is about?” You will get a lot of answers that it’s about a cat. Then read the title. “What do you think this book is about now?”

As you read: On the first page, where the little girl says she got a pet dog for her birthday, point to the cat — “What do you think Rocky the cat is thinking here? What does her face make you think she’s feeling? Why do you think Rocky doesn’t like other dogs? Why do you think Rocky likes sticking her paws in the fish tank? Why do you think Rocky likes playing in the fish tank but doesn’t like bath time?”

After you read: Why do you think the little girl thinks Rocky is a bad dog? What is the actual reason that Rocky is a bad dog? What makes a good dog? What makes a good cat? Do you think Rocky would make a good cat? What do you think the little girl means at the end when she says that Rocky would make a good cat “most of the time”?

Vocabulary Words

• fur
• pointy
• listen
• fetch
• shake (as in a hand)
• paw
• delivered

Enrichment Activities

Literacy: Good dogs? Good cats? What exactly makes a good dog or good cat? Encourage your preschoolers to think about what qualities make a good dog or cat with our free Good dogs & Good cats can/have/are printouts you can download below.

Art (and Math): Our “Bad Dog” cat face art activity is constructed from common shapes. Download the template below. You have several options for this project: Print the template on white paper and have children color, cut out and assemble the pieces; print the templates on assorted colored papers, cut, and mix the different-colored pieces up; or print the template onto cardstock, cut and trace the shapes onto various colors of paper. Or, if you have a die cutter, you can also use your own shapes to create the cat face using the template as a guide.

More Art: Fireflies and Mudpies has an adorable little bobble head black cat craft you can access for free here.