A Writing Root for Black Dog

Outcomes:

Postcard, dialogue, retelling, description

Main Outcome:

Own version ‘suspense’ narrative

Length:

15 sessions, 3 weeks

Overview and Outcomes:

In this Writing Root children will be reading the book Black Dog by Levi Pinfold and identifying the structure of the text. They will look at the issue of the size of the dog and how it relates to fear and worry.  Children will write their own suspenseful story based on a fear they might have using the structure of Black Dog. This will provide opportunities to embed speech, and adverbials for how, where and when, which they will apply within their own writing.

Synopsis of Text:

A black dog appears outside the Hope family's home. As each member of the household sees it and hides, the dog grows bigger and bigger. Only Small, the youngest Hope, has the courage to face the Black Dog. When it chases her through the forest she shows no fear, so it grows smaller and smaller. Finally, back to the size of a normal hound, the Black Dog is welcomed into the Hope household as their newest addition.

Text Rationale: 

This poignant story by author-illustrator Levi Pinfold won the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal and provides the perfect springboard for discussing children’s fears and how to confront them.  Told as a metaphor and using repetition and rhyme, it lends itself well to the study of literary language. The visually stunning illustrations which accompany the text also help reinforce the metaphor and invite high levels of inference from the children. Strong PSHE links can be made throughout.

Links and themes:

Dogs, fear, bravery, hope, emotions, family

Date written: February 2014         Updated: December 2020