Which dog should you take to work?
Happy Take-Your-Dog-To-Work Day!
Although there are many dog owners among our staff, unfortunately not one of our beloved friends have the qualifications necessary for work experience at Readings. So to console ourselves until the working day is over and we can return home to… see what they’ve destroyed this time… we’ve made a list of fictional dogs in picture books and junior fiction who would be a real asset to your workplace.
Bookseller:
Dog from Dog Loves Books by Louise Yates
Dog knows better than anyone that selling books is a real labour of love. At first, business is a little slow but Dog consoles himself with the knowledge that he is surrounded by friends (books). And when the customers start to arrive, he hand-sells like a pro.
(See also: the forthcoming Dog Loves Fairytales)
Farmer:
Banjo from Banjo and Ruby Red by Libby Gleeson and Freya Blackwood
It’s Banjo’s job to round up chickens. Chickens being chickens, Banjo has to be firm, consistent, thorough but very gentle and perceptive, especially when one pesky bird called Ruby starts playing up. If work on the farm dried up, Banjo would be an asset to any primary school needing help to round-up its ‘chickens’ after recess.
Astronaut:
Spacedog from Space Dog by Mini Grey
Spacedog is used to lone missions (perhaps he would also make a good novelist). His challenge in this story is when he meets Astrocat, and somehow they have to find a way of working together in order to help Moustronaut. A great picture book for children who like a more involved and wordy story.
(See also: Laika by Owen Davey)
Kindergarten Teacher:
Trevor from Pig the Pug and Pig the Fibber by Aaron Blabey
The importance of sharing and the perils of fibbing are the two huge life lessons that Pig the Pug has to come to terms with, like many pre-schoolers. Trevor the sausage dog is blessed with very high moral fibre, and keeps a level head in the face of Pig’s tantrums.
In-between Jobs:
Ted from Ted by Leila Rudge
Not everyone knows what they want to end up doing, and this takes the kind of persistence and resilience that Ted shows. Show dog, circus dog, guard dog – none of these are quite right for Ted. But in the end, his open mind and quiet self-belief pays off.
Detective:
Claude from Claude in the City by Alex T. Smith
Claude’s owners, Mr and Mrs Shinyshoes, have no idea what their pooch gets up to while they’re at work. In the first adventure, Claude somewhat accidentally apprehends some robbers – but as long as the job gets done, that’s all that matters. Like all good detectives, Claude has a sidekick – Sir Bobblysock (yes, he is a sock).
(See also: the Claude collection.)
Scientist:
Einstein from Eliza Boom: My Explosive Diary by Emily Gale
Our final dog is my own creation. Despite his moniker he is no genius, but what he lacks in brains he makes up for in enthusiasm. He’s also a willing assistant for Eliza’s many experiments (never fear, she is a highly scrupulous scientist). In true life-imitates-art style, we now have a real Einstein at home with the exact same brains/enthusiasm ratio.
(See also: My Fizztastic Investigation)
