The Hospital Dog

Buy This Book * More books by Julia Donaldson

After their breakfast and a swim in the sea, Dot and her owner Rose jump on the bus to the hospital. Dot loves visiting the children of Wallaby Ward and they’re always pleased to see her too; from a crying baby to a bored teenager – a pat, a stroke and a cuddle with Dot cheers everyone up. But the work of the hospital dog doesn’t stop there and when one of her patients is in trouble, it’s up to Dot to save the day!

Teaching Ideas and Resources:

English

• Write your own story about an animal who visits a hospital to help the patients.
• Write a diary entry from the point of view of a patient in Wallaby Ward.
• Retell the story from Dot’s point of view.
• Choose a part of the story and turn it into a play script.
• Look at the illustrations and think of some speech / thought bubbles for the characters.
• Make a collection of the rhyming words in the book.
• Write a review of this book for an online bookstore.
• Write a newspaper article that explains how Dot saved Joe’s life.
• Imagine that Dot’s owner is interviewed for a news report. What questions would you ask her? How might she respond?
• Write a set of instructions to teach people how to look after a Dalmatian.
• Make a character profile for Dot. What words and phrases could you use to describe her?
• Write a script for a hospital radio show that features news about Dot’s visit / accident.
• Record your own ‘read-along’ video. Here is one example:

Maths

• Write a timetable to show Dot’s daily routine.

Science

• Write a report about dogs.

Art

• Draw your own picture of a Dalmatian.
• Look at the illustrations of Dot throughout the book. Can you create a variety of pictures of a dog in different poses and / or taking part in different activities?
• Design a mural that could be painted on the wall in a children’s ward in the hospital.

Geography

• Draw a map of all of the places that are mentioned in the story.

Languages

• One of the patients in the hospital is deaf. Can you learn some sign language to help you communicate with him?

PSHE

• When she arrives at the hospital, Bea is feeling nervous. What could you do to help her?
• The book cover mentions key workers. What is a key worker? What could you do to show your appreciation for them?