Independent Reading Level: Grades: 2-3

Reading level: pk-1
Awards: all time best selling hardcover children's book

One of my first books. Read to me many times by Mom and Dad. ( )

When my kids are slow, I refer to them as "My Pokey Little Puppies." ( )

So this is a terrible story. 5 puppies keep sneaking out of their yard, and one is really poky (hence the name). The 4 faster puppies get caught disobeying their mother and don't get dessert, while the Poky Puppy sneaks in and eats it all (?) after everyone goes to bed. First of all, dog mom is obviously a terrible mother what with letting her puppies wander around with no supervision. Secondly, it seems weird to reward the slow one for getting home last. Thirdly, I don't ever punish/reward my kid with food so I find the whole "bed without dessert" thing obnoxious.
We bought this in a boxed set and I kind of wish we hadn't. I read about half the text, so that the story becomes a heartwarming tale of 5 puppies who go on walks and eat dessert before bed. The End! ( )