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Bark, George
"Bark, George," says George's mother, and George goes: "Meow," which definitely isn't right, because George is a dog.What's going on with George? Find out in this hilarious new picture book from Jules Feiffer.
And so is his mother, who repeats, "Bark, George." And George goes, "Quack, quack."
32 pages, Hardcover
First published June 3, 1999
46 people are currently reading
4,994 people want to read
About the author
Jules Feiffer
81 books192 followersJules Ralph Feiffer was an American cartoonist and author, who at one time was considered the most widely read satirist in the country. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1986 for editorial cartooning, and in 2004 he was inducted into the Comic Book Hall of Fame. He wrote the animated short Munro, which won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1961. The Library of Congress has recognized his "remarkable legacy", from 1946 to the present, as a cartoonist, playwright, screenwriter, adult and children's book author, illustrator, and art instructor.
When Feiffer was 17 (in the mid-1940s) he became assistant to cartoonist Will Eisner. There he helped Eisner write and illustrate his comic strips, including The Spirit. In 1956, he became a staff cartoonist at The Village Voice, where he produced the weekly comic strip titled Feiffer until 1997. His cartoons became nationally syndicated in 1959 and then appeared regularly in publications including the Los Angeles Times, the London Observer, The New Yorker, Playboy, Esquire, and The Nation. In 1997, he created the first op-ed page comic strip for the New York Times, which ran monthly until 2000.
He has written more than 35 books, plays and screenplays. His first of many collections of satirical cartoons, Sick, Sick, Sick, was published in 1958, and his first novel, Harry, the Rat with Women, in 1963. In 1965, he wrote The Great Comic Book Heroes, the first history of the comic-book superheroes of the late 1930s and early 1940s and a tribute to their creators. In 1979, Feiffer created his first graphic novel, Tantrum. By 1993, he began writing and illustrating books aimed at young readers, with several of them winning awards.
Feiffer began writing for the theater and film in 1961, with plays including Little Murders (1967), Feiffer's People (1969), and Knock Knock (1976). He wrote the screenplay for Carnal Knowledge (1971), directed by Mike Nichols, and Popeye (1980), directed by Robert Altman. He was recently given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Dramatist's Guild.
When Feiffer was 17 (in the mid-1940s) he became assistant to cartoonist Will Eisner. There he helped Eisner write and illustrate his comic strips, including The Spirit. In 1956, he became a staff cartoonist at The Village Voice, where he produced the weekly comic strip titled Feiffer until 1997. His cartoons became nationally syndicated in 1959 and then appeared regularly in publications including the Los Angeles Times, the London Observer, The New Yorker, Playboy, Esquire, and The Nation. In 1997, he created the first op-ed page comic strip for the New York Times, which ran monthly until 2000.
He has written more than 35 books, plays and screenplays. His first of many collections of satirical cartoons, Sick, Sick, Sick, was published in 1958, and his first novel, Harry, the Rat with Women, in 1963. In 1965, he wrote The Great Comic Book Heroes, the first history of the comic-book superheroes of the late 1930s and early 1940s and a tribute to their creators. In 1979, Feiffer created his first graphic novel, Tantrum. By 1993, he began writing and illustrating books aimed at young readers, with several of them winning awards.
Feiffer began writing for the theater and film in 1961, with plays including Little Murders (1967), Feiffer's People (1969), and Knock Knock (1976). He wrote the screenplay for Carnal Knowledge (1971), directed by Mike Nichols, and Popeye (1980), directed by Robert Altman. He was recently given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Dramatist's Guild.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 816 reviews
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March 30, 2019First and second graders love this book. It is too cute. They think they know how it ends and get a surprise.
July 10, 2015
A now classic told and illustrated by the classic Jules Feiffer, with great illustrations and a funny take on the somewhat familiar story of an animal or animals who for some reason do not make the sounds they are supposed to make. This one is for younguns, obviously but if you like Feiffer as I do, it is better than a lot of kid stuff because it has a little edge to it. A couple surprises in it.
December 27, 2018
What a great book! I loved it! So cleverly comical. You and your kiddo will enjoy this - so I'm definitely putting this on the-must-read-list!
Ages: 3 - 7
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Ages: 3 - 7
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Visit my website!
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June 6, 2018This is one of my favorite picture books to recommend for anyone looking for something fun to read to their little one. The illustrations are hilarious as you see George's mother see what her pup has been up to. This is a classic not to be missed! – Wendy M.
July 14, 2018
There is a reason (actually many reasons) that George is not barking. You'll laugh when you find out why. Very cute book, with funny, cartoonish illustrations by the author.
March 21, 2012
“Bark, George,” says George’s mother. Unfortunately, George makes everyone sound but a proper doggy “Arf.” He meows, moos, and oinks, but he just can’t seem to bark. So his mother takes him to the vet. When George meows instead of barking, the vet reaches inside George’s mouth and pulls out a live cat! Finally, after pulling out a duck, a pig, and a cow, George is able to bark. Walking home, his mother proudly says, “Bark, George.” George says: “Hello.”
The text is concise and full of dialogue, which makes this a quick and fun read aloud book. Kids will enjoy the funny ending and the repeated refrain, “Bark, George.” And although it may seem gross that George has animals living inside his stomach, most kids will find this element hilarious rather than off-putting. The illustrations use loose line work and bright backgrounds to create exaggerated and expressive characters.
Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...
The text is concise and full of dialogue, which makes this a quick and fun read aloud book. Kids will enjoy the funny ending and the repeated refrain, “Bark, George.” And although it may seem gross that George has animals living inside his stomach, most kids will find this element hilarious rather than off-putting. The illustrations use loose line work and bright backgrounds to create exaggerated and expressive characters.
Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...
April 2, 2019
George is a dog. George's mother wants him to bark. George makes other animals noises instead, so his mother brings him to the vet. Hilarity ensues.
Bark, George is my favorite book to read aloud. It's simple, interactive, repetitive, and funny. The text is concise, the colors are bold, and the illustrations are large, clear, and expressive. It's a brilliant conceit that builds to a perfect punchline. I never tire of reading it at story times, on school visits, or at home to my children.
- John D.
Click here to find the book at the Prince William County Public Library System.
Click here to find the audiobook at the Prince William County Public Library System.
Bark, George is my favorite book to read aloud. It's simple, interactive, repetitive, and funny. The text is concise, the colors are bold, and the illustrations are large, clear, and expressive. It's a brilliant conceit that builds to a perfect punchline. I never tire of reading it at story times, on school visits, or at home to my children.
- John D.
Click here to find the book at the Prince William County Public Library System.
Click here to find the audiobook at the Prince William County Public Library System.
September 12, 2012
The picture book Bark George has always been one of my favorites since I was a small child. This book is about a mother dog who is trying to teach her puppy, George, to make the sound of a dog "arf." To her surprise George lets out other sounds of different animals such as a duck, pig, cat, cow, etc. I would use this book in a classroom setting where children are starting to associate familiar sounds with what type of animal they come from. This picture book keeps the illustrations very simple with a solid background on each page, and keeping the mother dog, George, and the doctor placed consistently throughout the book. Most small children would enjoy this book because they can find humor in the different sounds the dog makes before he can actually "arf." Most children are aware of the sounds dogs make, and when George is constantly letting out another sound other than a dog bark, children will find it silly or funny. This book would fit nicely in a curriculum with pets or animals unit in a classroom setting.
January 18, 2020
This is probably my favorite storytime book. I could read it in a boring monotone, and kids would still love it. It's a masterful combination of elements: adorable illustrations, easily recognizable animal sounds, a genuinely funny story, and a tone that is both irreverent and unobjectionable. Just awesome.
April 8, 2015
Fun book. Loved George's mom's facial expressions!
January 10, 2020
This is one of my go to books for story time. Kids love this book, and I always have them act the book out with me. If you ever need a smile, read it. Over and over and over.......
November 13, 2020
This is my dog’s favorite book. She cries when it’s done because she wants me to keep talking. So I have to read it again ... every time. She’s a 6 lb chihuahua.
November 20, 2015
I haven't met a book with a dog in it that I haven't liked yet. "Bark, George" is no exception! This is an adorable book about a puppy named George who cannot seem to bark for his mother. No matter how many times she tries to get him to bark, George always says the sound of another animal from "meow" to "moo." The mom's facial expression in the illustrations are priceless and I think show true frustration that would come from any parent, human or animal. Eventually the mother takes him to the vet and the vet begins to pull out all of the animals that George has been making sounds from. Finally, George can bark! The mother is so proud she wants to show him off to everyone and he ends up saying "hello!"
This book would be good for lower elementary grades from as low as Pre-K up to 2nd or possibly 3rd grade. "Bark, George" would be a good book to use for teaching predictions. Since George continually makes animal noises that do not fit him, you could ask students predict why he is not barking and what noises he might make next. Also, since the end is unexpected and it doesn't explicitly explain why George says "hello" you could ask students to think critically about why George is not barking again and saying hello instead.
This is a WOW book for me because it is full of fun surprises. When you start out you have no idea what could possibly be wrong with George. Then at the end, I had a good laugh myself when George said "hello." Any book that can keep children and adults both on their toes makes for a great book! I love being able to enjoy books along with my students.
This book would be good for lower elementary grades from as low as Pre-K up to 2nd or possibly 3rd grade. "Bark, George" would be a good book to use for teaching predictions. Since George continually makes animal noises that do not fit him, you could ask students predict why he is not barking and what noises he might make next. Also, since the end is unexpected and it doesn't explicitly explain why George says "hello" you could ask students to think critically about why George is not barking again and saying hello instead.
This is a WOW book for me because it is full of fun surprises. When you start out you have no idea what could possibly be wrong with George. Then at the end, I had a good laugh myself when George said "hello." Any book that can keep children and adults both on their toes makes for a great book! I love being able to enjoy books along with my students.
July 21, 2021
I've been reading and loving this book for years. I can't believe I never put it on here. This is the best, best, best read aloud book ever written. Seriously! I have been known to read it aloud to adults - at Thanksgiving, at book club, etc. Wonderful book and it never fails to please.
Bark, George is one of my all time favorite children's books. I read it each year during meet your teacher. It never fails to get the kids pumped up about reading and read aloud. This year I drug it back out as an author example for a series of writing mini-lessons on repeating lines.
Classroom Connections
Good writers use repeating lines because they are fun for the reader and they help the reader to predict coming action.
August 25, 2016
I've been an elementary school librarian for a little over a week. This is the book I choose for my first read aloud. I read this book aloud 23 times in one week, reading to every grade level from K to 4 all week long. This book is a universal hit. I have not met a single child or adult who doesn't love it. Bark, George really is a perfect book. I wish I had a video of all the Kindergartners laughing and exclaiming at the very last line of the book - pure joy to watch.
August 15, 2017
I read this book again to all the students in library. All the students who were here last year clapped and cheered that I was reading it again. This is a wonderful book!
Bark, George is one of my all time favorite children's books. I read it each year during meet your teacher. It never fails to get the kids pumped up about reading and read aloud. This year I drug it back out as an author example for a series of writing mini-lessons on repeating lines.
Classroom Connections
Good writers use repeating lines because they are fun for the reader and they help the reader to predict coming action.
August 25, 2016
I've been an elementary school librarian for a little over a week. This is the book I choose for my first read aloud. I read this book aloud 23 times in one week, reading to every grade level from K to 4 all week long. This book is a universal hit. I have not met a single child or adult who doesn't love it. Bark, George really is a perfect book. I wish I had a video of all the Kindergartners laughing and exclaiming at the very last line of the book - pure joy to watch.
August 15, 2017
I read this book again to all the students in library. All the students who were here last year clapped and cheered that I was reading it again. This is a wonderful book!
Want to read
September 5, 2008Judging by the sample page here: http://www.julesfeiffer.com/nubark.html
I am literally on the edge of my seat wondering if George, despite his mother's patient educational tactics, will ever say what Dogs are meant to say. What is George's motivation...is he a slow learner, confused, petulant? I guess I'll have to read it to find out. Where did he learn to Quack? I should just read it rather than manufacturing these speculations.
I am literally on the edge of my seat wondering if George, despite his mother's patient educational tactics, will ever say what Dogs are meant to say. What is George's motivation...is he a slow learner, confused, petulant? I guess I'll have to read it to find out. Where did he learn to Quack? I should just read it rather than manufacturing these speculations.
June 25, 2013
Mildly entertaining for our family, my 5 yr old tells me the idea was a fun one, but dogs get boring and there was nothing special about this one. Perhaps we read it too soon after reading the book called "There was an old woman who swallowed a fly"? Either way, my preschoolers seemed to enjoy it more. At the very least it kept them engaged and following along, which is always a difficult thing to do with 2 yr olds.
July 12, 2018
Okay, I've had a small run of not-great picture books lately (I'm reading my way through the New York Library's list of 100 Great Children's Books, and there's been some difference of opinion) but this is hilarious. George's mother, in particular, is fantastic - each time I turned the page and saw her expression when faced with another indication that her precious pup was a greedy idiot I laughed my arse off. Delightful.
March 5, 2020
This book is so funny, and relate able. Poor George just cant get it right. Mama wants him to bark, but he just cant do it. This book is a great example of our special needs children that simply has a mind of their own and will do as they please. I absolutely love this book. In the end there was nothing wrong with George, except he wasn't barking!
September 25, 2018
I found something off-putting about the illustrations, but it was not enough to stop my enjoyment of this story. The story itself is absolutely hilarious (with a fun surprise ending) and is sure to be a hit with story time groups and young readers.
November 14, 2018
George's mother is trying to teach him how a puppy barks. Something is wrong and George must take a trip to the vet to see if they can fix it. Funny story.
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May 15, 2019This is a cute book. Watch the mother dog in the illustrations. Her body language is very funny.
September 2, 2020
Very simple pictures & kind of a slow start but it gets funnier & funnier! The kids burst out at the end & had to read it to their dad when he got home 💝
August 20, 2021
Love this book!
November 20, 2021
One of my very favorites. Ambiguous ending, it can leave you really thinking for days. This is an original!
December 27, 2021
I had never read this book and decided to listen to it read by John Lithgow. It gave me a good chuckle.
January 3, 2024
The best plot twist in history
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January 24, 2025Le livre de mon enfance
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January 16, 2023
A masterpiece
April 11, 2014
This book by far, has been my favorite book since childhood! I like how his mom tells him to bark and he does all types of animal sounds except for "arf" and how after a while she took him to the doctor. The ending of this book is unique, the doctor opens Georges mouth to check him, and it turns out there are other animals inside and this is the cause of George making different sounds. At the end, when the mom and doctor think George is fine now, the doctor tells George to bark and he says "Hello!" Hahaha! Tooo cute! I love this book.
I remember when I first saw this book, I was at my aunts house and she was cleaning her library at home to select book to take to her classroom. She said "Read this book, if you like it, you may keep it." Since then, I have treasure it.
I remember when I first saw this book, I was at my aunts house and she was cleaning her library at home to select book to take to her classroom. She said "Read this book, if you like it, you may keep it." Since then, I have treasure it.
June 15, 2011
You know sometimes there is a joke and you just know the punchline is brilliant but for some reason you can't even manage a chuckle? That's how I felt about this book. I-just-didn't-get-it. But, it looks like a lot of people did--and loved it--and you might be one of them :-)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 816 reviews