Good Dog, Carl!
The Good Dog, Carl! series is a series of children’s picture books about a Rottweiler named “Carl” and his little girl “Madeleine.” The stories use illustrations to tell the stories, and the popular titles have been continuously in print since 1985. There are fourteen titles in the series, and board book versions are especially popular. The first two books are especially heartwarming, with the children loving their new pet and learning about their new role as Nanny Dog.
Despite its title, Carl is no Dr. Seuss-like fantastic creature. The big, muscular rottweiler opens its mouth and reveals its fearsome teeth, which are perfect for grabbing prey! While it’s difficult to imagine a rottweiler as a nanny, his story will end happily. He is a good babysitter, and he and his human babysitters go on many adventures, including visiting the department store and going to a masquerade party. But, somehow, they always get home before their mother knows they’ve left.
The plot of the Carl books is similar to that of Dr. Suess’ classic,
In the Cat in the Hat, in which the mother leaves her baby in the care of a Rottweiler. In the book, the mother leaves her child in the hands of a dog, and the dog ends up taking care of the baby. Although this is a serious crime, the author never charges the child with this.
The concept is a popular one with dog lovers. Barbara Kay, a public affairs columnist and illustrator for the “Good Dog Carl” series, popularized the concept of a good dog and a good owner. The book includes a list of helpful tips on how to train a Rottweiler. It also addresses the issue of aggression in dogs and the need for a balance between the two.
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