Lou Berger

Dream Dog, written by Lou Berger is a story of a boy named Harry who desperately wants a dog. With the help of a strong imagination, Harry creates the perfect pup that only he can see. This book teaches children how powerful their imaginations can be. It also encourages creativity.

The Elephant Wish is about a little girl, named Eliza Prattlebottom. She makes a wish on her eight birthday that an elephant would come and take her away and thats exactly what happens. However, Adelle, a ninety-seven year old woman with her two-hundred-year-old dog also made that wish many years ago, and she's wants the elephant again. This tale tells the story of a little girls wishes, who aren't very different from an old womans, come true beyond their wildest dreams.

This book touched me, show more and it actually made me cry. The story is far from possible, but somehow, there is still a sense of believability. The plot in The Elephant Wish is so moving, and the art and illustration is so dramatic, that even adults will love and understand this wonderful story of imagination and remaining childlike.

In the classroom, I would use this story to reach inside the children and contact that part of them that fears growing up. It would let them know that its okay to want to remain a kid forever, and it would give them hope about growing up.
I would also have the children write or draw something or someone that they would wish for, if they could stay young forever. show less

Dream Dog by Lou Berger tells a tale of Harry wanting a puppy. Not just wants a puppy, but WANTS a puppy. He cannot have one because his father has an oversensitive nose due to working in a pepper factory and dogs cause him to sneeze a lot. Harry then creates an imaginary dog, Waffle, and that provides companionship for him. Harry's friend, Mathilda tells him that his dog is not real and he does not pay her any mind. After his dad switches jobs, his nose is not as sensitive so he buys Harry show more a real dog, Bumper. Harry then realizes that Waffle is imaginary because Bumper cannot see OR smell him. Children can learn about 'real' and 'imaginary.' After learning about what those terms mean, they can compare Waffle and Bumper and explain why Waffle is imaginary and Bumper is real. show less

Dream dog is an adorable story about a young boy that wants nothing more than to have a dog of his own. Only one problem stands in the way, his dad will not let him. So Harry takes matters into his own hands and he creates his dream dog with his X-35 Infra-Rocket Imagination Helmet! He creates the dog of his area. No one else can see it and is confused by Harry's new imaginary friend. But Harry loves his dog Waffle more than anything. One day, Harry's dad gets a new job and is no longer show more sneezing. He comes home with a real dog for Harry. Harry introduces the two dogs and eventually Waffle runs off as happy as ever. Harry and his new dog Bumper live happily ever after. show less