Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Square Fish (1994), Edition: 1, 32 pages
Description
A young boy with muscular dystrophy tells how he is teamed up with a dog trained to do things for him that he can't do for himself.
Media reviews
Voices from the Margins
... The book is not about muscular dystrophy, but about the boy's desire to be independent and treated like everyone else. Even more important, it is about the team's wonderful friendship. It is realistic about the seriousness of what working dogs do and how important they are. ... [From "Voices
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from the Margins: An Annotated Bibliography of Fiction of Disabilities and Differences for Young People," 2002.] Show Less
New Books Kids Like
... Buddy is a service dog. ... This book describes Buddy's training and his life with the boy who needs his help.... [From "The New Books Kids Like," 2001. For this book, the authors "surveyed children's librarians from around the country, bringing together the wisdom and experiences of librarians
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from both school and public library settings for one collection of expert picks."] Show Less
Contemporary Education
This is a interesting story of a young boy's special relationship with his buddy - who is a Service Dog. The story also describes how the dog helps the boy who is in a wheelchair because of his struggle with muscular dystrophy. [From "Using literature to enhance inclusion," Vol. 70, Issue 2.]
Booklist
A young boy with muscular dystrophy tells about being teamed up with his best friend, Buddy, a golden retriever service dog.... This is a rather generic account of a service dog and his partner (the boy's name is never given nor is the dog ever less than perfect). Still, the work is generously
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illustrated with descriptive watercolors and will serve to acquaint children with the work of service dogs.... Show Less
School Library Journal
Gr 1-3 -- A young boy with muscular dystrophy... is paired with an intelligent golden retriever who performs everyday tasks that are too difficult for the physically challenged. ... Readers will benefit from this easy-to-read, first-person narrative of an unusual friendship that also demonstrates
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the desires of the handicapped to be independent and to be treated like everyone else. Graceful watercolor illustrations that emphasize the closeness between boy and dog are a perfect accompaniment to this entertaining and informative book. Show Less
A lad with multiple sclerosis describes his Service Dog... whose name is Buddy.... A detailed, upbeat picture of happy cooperation between boy and dog, appealingly illustrated with realistic watercolors.
User reviews
LibraryThing member sdglenn
A young boy with muscular dystrophy goes to camp. He meets a dog named buddy, who helps him do everything. Great Book! Appropriate for k-3.
LibraryThing member baphilipson
I liked this book because it teaches kids about the handicap. This child is handicap and he needs a dog to help him out with everyday tasks. It shows children that eventhough this child has muscular dystrophy, he is a normal child. He loves his dog and plays with him, just like a normal dog.
LibraryThing member cashelton
This is a great book to teach children about muscular dystrophy. It is also a good way to teach them about working dogs in case they were to ever see one. I liked it because it teaches children the value of a pet and friendship.
LibraryThing member gundulabaehre
Audrey Osofsky's My Buddy is a delightful and engaging first-person narrative about Buddy, a Golden Retriever, who is Service Dog for a young boy with muscular dystrophy. Narrative and illustrations are not only informative, but also heartwarming and sweetly humorous at times. I loved the episode
I especially appreciate the fact that My Buddy not only focuses on the daily life and routine of the young boy and Buddy, but also demonstrates the hard work that goes into the training of a Service Dog. The young boy does not simply receive a trained "machine" (both Buddy and he have to get used to each other, learn how to work with each other). The instruction and lessons are hard for both of them, sometimes even frustrating, but ultimately more than worth it.
Although I am glad that neither the teacher nor the young boy's classmates have problems with there being a dog in class, I do wonder wether the easy acceptance of Buddy's presence at school is perhaps not a trifle too effortless, too uncomplicated. I think it would make for a more interesting and realistic story, had there been some obstacles to overcome (maybe classmates who refuse to heed the rule of not petting Buddy while he is working, or a classmate or teacher who is allergic to or afraid of dogs). A further minor problem (at least for me) is the fact that we never learn the name (the actual identity) of the young boy. I know that My Buddy is written as a first-person account, but not knowing the young boy's name, while on the other hand knowing his friend's and his Service Dog's name, kind of depersonalises the boy to an extent.
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where Buddy picks up a bag of doggy treats at the pet store, and I also chuckled (as the other children in the school cafeteria did) when Buddy "retrieves" the boy's empty milk can from the trash bin. Buddy clearly loves his job, loves the young boy; they are a team. As the young boy points out, before Buddy, he had to rely on friends, family, even strangers to help him with the many things he could not do by and for himself. Buddy is the young boy's arms and legs; he provides and gives independence.I especially appreciate the fact that My Buddy not only focuses on the daily life and routine of the young boy and Buddy, but also demonstrates the hard work that goes into the training of a Service Dog. The young boy does not simply receive a trained "machine" (both Buddy and he have to get used to each other, learn how to work with each other). The instruction and lessons are hard for both of them, sometimes even frustrating, but ultimately more than worth it.
Although I am glad that neither the teacher nor the young boy's classmates have problems with there being a dog in class, I do wonder wether the easy acceptance of Buddy's presence at school is perhaps not a trifle too effortless, too uncomplicated. I think it would make for a more interesting and realistic story, had there been some obstacles to overcome (maybe classmates who refuse to heed the rule of not petting Buddy while he is working, or a classmate or teacher who is allergic to or afraid of dogs). A further minor problem (at least for me) is the fact that we never learn the name (the actual identity) of the young boy. I know that My Buddy is written as a first-person account, but not knowing the young boy's name, while on the other hand knowing his friend's and his Service Dog's name, kind of depersonalises the boy to an extent.
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LibraryThing member jaimie919
A young boy as muscular dystrophy and he has a special dog. This dog is his service dog and they go everywhere together. The dog goes to school with him and to his friends house to play video games. This is a great book to show children what a service dog can do for someone like this boy. I would
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read this when teaching about disabilities. Show Less
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
In this picture-book examination of a very special relationship - one based on a real-life child and his dog - a wheelchair-bound boy with muscular dystrophy and his golden retriever helper dog, Buddy, work together as a team. Explaining all the things that Buddy can do for him - turning light
An engaging introduction to the idea of service dogs, My Buddy is also a story that can teach young readers about the needs and desires of disabled children: that (like any other kid) they long both for independence and for companionship. How lovely that the Buddys of this world can provide both for them! I appreciated the fact that Osofsky's narrative emphasizes all the hard work that goes into training a service dog, and the fact that the person being helped also has to learn quite bit. Ted Rand's artwork didn't particularly stand out to me, but I think it is engaging enough to keep young readers' attention.
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switches on and off, pushing elevator buttons, picking up things that have fallen - the boy also describes the training process they both went through, at a Service Dog "boot camp." Although Buddy is his best friend, he is also a working dog - something that is emphasized throughout, with the frequent statements about people not being able to pet or hug him, while he is working - and accompanies the boy to school, where he is the quietest student in the class...An engaging introduction to the idea of service dogs, My Buddy is also a story that can teach young readers about the needs and desires of disabled children: that (like any other kid) they long both for independence and for companionship. How lovely that the Buddys of this world can provide both for them! I appreciated the fact that Osofsky's narrative emphasizes all the hard work that goes into training a service dog, and the fact that the person being helped also has to learn quite bit. Ted Rand's artwork didn't particularly stand out to me, but I think it is engaging enough to keep young readers' attention.
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LibraryThing member dbond
My Buddy by Audrey Osofsky is the story of a young boy with muscular dystrophy who has a service dog named Buddy. The story gives great insight into what goes into having a service dog. Not only is the dog trained, but the child is also trained on how to give commands and take special care of the
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dog. “I had to believe I was a leader before buddy would believe.” Buddy gave the child independence at home, school and play. Because Buddy is a service dog, there are many reminders throughout the story that Buddy should not be touched by the other children while he is working; he is special and not like other dogs. This is a great story not only for children with disabilities to relate to, but an insight for other children as well. Show Less
LibraryThing member mderob1
This story is very cute and informational all at the same time. The big idea of the story is friendship along with Muscular Dystrophy. The boy in the story as M.D and has a service dog that does things for him that he cannot do himself. The book illustrates what a service dog does such as turning
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on the lights. The story has a great message that shows that a disability and being wheelchair bound does not hold you back or make you less capable. The illustrations in the story are very realistic and go along well with the story. I loved this story and will definitely include it in my classroom. Show Less
LibraryThing member rhigginbotham
My Buddy is a story of a young boy who is wheel chair bound and his service dog. He has to learn how to work with his dog, and then goes to school and teaches his classmates that Buddy is working, and can not play. Buddy and his master have to learn how to do things together. Great story to teach
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children about service dogs and disabilities. Show Less
LibraryThing member Karen_Curtis_Wood
A story of a boy and his service dog.
LibraryThing member KaylanJ
"My Buddy" was a book about a young boy who was paralyzed. The boy also had a dog that traveled every where with him to help him out. The dog took showers with him, picked up his books and also traveled to school with him .This book would most likely be appropriate for a 5-6 year old because of the
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difficulty of word choice. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cheryl_in_CC_NV
I enjoyed this quite a bit. I still prefer stories, that actually have something going on or a conflict or development, rather than just exposition - but if a child is curious about service dogs this is probably one of the best introductions you could find to share.
LibraryThing member jthodesen01
Great to read to understand what a service animal is and how some people use them. Helps educate non-disabled students.
Awards
CCBC Choices (1992)
NCTE Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K—Grade 6 (10th Edition: 1988-1992)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
32 p.; 8.72 inches
ISBN
080503546X / 9780805035469