REVIEW: Ivan the Terrier

Catalanotto, P. (2007). Ivan the Terrier. New York: Antheneum Books for Young Readers.

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Readers, I'm bouncing with joy over here. I randomly came across yet another metanarrative. And you know how much I love metafiction! Mmmmmm. Delicious reading.

Ivan the Terrier begins intertextually with the story of the three billy goats gruff, which a teacher or parent will probably want student to be familiar with before or after sharing this story (along with Goldie Locks and the Three Bears, The Three Little Pigs, The Gingerbread Man). Ivan, the troublesome terrier, interrupts the story in similar fashion to what occurs in Chester and Chester's Back!, interrupting the narrative and forcing the narrator to change stories. If a teacher were to share all three books, I would recommend using Ivan the Terrier first, since the Chester books include many words crossed out with a marker, Ivan the Terrier would be easier to take in initially.

If I were to share this book as a read aloud, I would have two people share the reading duties. One student or teacher could read the moments the narrator is introducing a new story and someone else could read the narration when Ivan has interrupted the story. The parts are in different fonts, so the book lends itself to being read in more than one voice.

Activities:

The title of Ivan the Terrier is referencing Ivan the Terrible. Since the youngest of readers won't get this, Ivan the Terrier is a wonderful book to bring in and share with middle grade readers who are actually learning about the historic figure.

Aside from sharing the other stories referenced throughout Ivan the Terrier, this book could inspire a teacher or parent to discuss why it may be important to give a dog obedience training. Or a teacher could discuss how people or animals often act out when they want attention.

Quotes of Note:

"Once upon a time there were three billy goats named Gruff."

"Ivan! You naughty dog! You're ruining the story!"

"Oh well. I guess we'll have to read a different story."