Module 9: Once I Ate a Pie

Book Summary

In this book of poems, each poem features a dog sharing his or her perspective on life. For example, Mr. Beefy is a pug who likes to steal snacks, and he is not the least bit apologetic about it. He’s the one who ate the pie mentioned in the title. Gus just wants everyone in a group where he can watch them and make sure they are safe. Lucy the mutt, who was adopted from the shelter, revels in everything she owns: the couch, the chairs, the bed, even the pillow her owners gave her for sleeping between them under the covers. Wupsi knows he’s cute. Darla shares that she likes to ring her bell, especially in the middle of the night. Louis explains his many good reasons to bark. Each free-verse poem shares the point of view of some very adorable dogs.

 APA Reference of Book

MacLachlan, P. & Charest, E. (2006). Once I ate a pie. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children's Books.

Impressions

This book celebrates fourteen dogs in all their individual personalities through poems, illustrations, and playful fonts. The charms of each dog are revealed when he or she shares his view of the world with free verse. For example, Abby explains that she doesn’t steal things like stuffed animals and shoes; she borrows them. Each poem is illustrated with endearing paintings of the pups, accompanied by a playful use of fonts changing size and color, showing movement, and reinforcing each dog’s attributes. We see Abby zipping from one place to another, borrowed object firmly in mouth while she sneaks a happy peek at the reader. Children will enjoy this entertaining book.

Professional Review

Free verse poems about 14 individual dogs sprawl across oversized spreads accompanied by large oil illustrations. The poems and paintings together delightfully capture each distinct personality in few words and with broad strokes of the brush. The fonts change often and reflect the poet's words--rising and falling, sometimes in bold type, growing larger and smaller and dancing over the pages. The format allows for plenty of white space, emphasizing the postures and personalities of the pups and helping the playful fonts to stand out. The overall result is an entertaining visit with some very appealing canines, and a book that perhaps could serve as an inspiration in the classroom for young poets trying to describe their own pets. One wishes that the breeds were listed somewhere, but all in all, this title is still a real treat.

Constantinides, J. (2006, May). Once I ate a pie. [Review of the book Once I ate a pie, by
         P. MacLachlan & E. Charest]. School Library Journal,52(5), 114-115. Retrieved from www.slj.com

Library Uses

This book could be used as a library lesson on poetry. The librarian could read several poems of different genres to the children, and they could then try one to write and illustrate.