Why Alligator Hates Dog

Why Alligator Hates Dog

Information for students

Author: J.J. Reneaux Title: Why Alligator Hates Dog

Book Genre: Traditional Publishing Info: August House Publishers 1995 (26pgs)

Summary: This is a story about a dog that outwits M’su Cocodrie. The dog calls for the alligator every night, but it is not until alligator does corner dog, that he comes to dog’s house. The dog’s master sees the alligator and scares him off. Alligator says that the dog will not trick him again.

Personal rating: ****

Rationale: This story has an interesting plot and would be good for all elementary ages, whether the teacher reads it to the students or the students read it independently. The illustrations are incorporated well into the plot and help create the setting.

Information for teachers

Reading level: 4 Interest level: K-5

Thematic Areas: Trickery and deception, lessons to be learned (learn from mistakes)

Content Areas: Cajun Culture, Science

Potential Problems or Difficulties: The Cajun culture and lingo integrated into the story.

Possible use in classroom: The students could research the lingo to find out what it means. They could journal on whether or not the dog will trick alligator again and how. They could do a character map on the dog and the alligator (compare and contrast).