Ivan the Terrier

Catalanotto, P. (2007). Ivan the Terrier. New York:  Atheneum Books.

Peter Catalanotto's picture book, Ivan the Terrier is a play on the viking by the similar name "Ivan the Terrible."  However, Catalanotto's Ivan is not a viking; he is a small dog.  Yet, like his namesake, Ivan likes to cause trouble and wreak havoc.

In Ivan the Terrier, there are two speakers.  Each speaker is designated by a distinctive font.  As one speaker begins to recite a well-known fairy tale,--"Billy Goats Gruff," "The Three Bears," etc.--the other speaker begins to reprimand Ivan as he interrupts the story.  The first speaker rarely gets beyond "Once upon a time," before Ivan begins his terrier ways.

Catalanotto's book is an easy read for young readers, especially those who would recognize the fairy tales alluded to throughout.  And a great way to introduce the idea of allusions to early readers.  Since they will come in contact with allusions the rest of their literary lives.

The artwork is simple to reflect the simplicity of the plot.  The bright colors mirror the lighthearted tone, even though the audience and one speaker feels frustration, but not anger, toward Ivan.

Through Ivan, children learn that interrupting is very impolite.  The narrator is never able to finish a story for his/her audience.  The audience also begins to feel pity for Ivan, as the audience should for tragic antagonist (can you call a rat terrier tragic?).