The first book I ever read - my favorite childhood story - was Janette Sebring Lowrey's The Poky Little Puppy. One of Simon and Schuster's twelve original Little Golden Books, The Poky Little Puppy was actually listed as the bestselling hardcover children's book of all time (at about double the sales of any Harry Potter book) back in 2001[1]. The story follows five puppies who have escaped the confines of their yard by digging a hole under the fence to go and explore "the wide, wide world." One puppy is pokier than the rest and, by hanging back, he alerts his siblings to the rice pudding being made at home. By hanging back again, he is able to sneak in after the others are scolded by their mother and sent to bed early so that he can eat the rice pudding by himself. The next day they repeat this chain of events despite the previous results and a written warning - the dessert this time being chocolate custard. Again there is a repeat of events - strawberry shortcake this time - but the four puppies fill up the hole before their brother returns and are rewarded with the shortcake. Poky comes home and goes to bed hungry and feeling "very sorry for himself." The next day there is a threat of a permanent ban on deserts for digging under the fence.
It is a fun book and addresses the reality of ultimate consequences for misbehavior even if you seem to get away with it for a time. The artwork by Gustaf Tenggren is also a plus. A few years back we managed to find an ornament and miniature version of the book. It is a neat addition to the tree and a reminder of that joy of reading I have had since I was a tyke.
[1] Publisher's Weekly.
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