Pug's Got Talent
by Kyla May
Pug is determined to show off his unique talents in the big neighborhood talent show. This sweet story reminds kids that everyone has something special to contribute.
Big Idea
True talent is about more than just being the star; it is about supporting friends and finding joy in shared experiences. Bub learns that there is plenty of room for everyone to shine in the spotlight.
Discussion Questions
- 1.Why was Bub so excited about the talent show at the beginning of the story?
- 2.How did Bub feel when he realized another performer was also very talented?
- 3.What does it mean to be a good friend, even when you are competing for the same goal?
- 4.If you were in the talent show, what special skill would you perform and why?
- 5.How does Bub’s diary format help us understand his feelings better than if the story were told by someone else?
Lesson Plan
Learning Goals
- Identify the main character's motivations and emotional growth.
- Practice narrative writing by adopting a specific persona.
- Understand the relationship between text and visual storytelling.
- Reflect on personal strengths and the value of supporting others.
Activity Steps
- 1.Discuss the concept of a 'talent' and why Bub wanted to show off his skateboarding skills.
- 2.Have students brainstorm one 'talent' they would like to share in a classroom talent show.
- 3.Provide students with a template that includes space for a drawing and a short diary-style paragraph.
- 4.Students write a first-person entry describing their talent and how they feel about performing it.
- 5.Students illustrate their entry, using speech bubbles or action lines similar to Kyla May’s style.
- 6.Share entries in small groups to celebrate individual strengths.
Standards Connections
- ELA: RL.K.3 (Character feelings)
- ELA: W.K.3 (Narrative writing)
- SEL: Self-awareness
- Art: Visual literacy
Printable Teacher’s Guide
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Get the printable teacher’s guide for Pug's Got Talent, including discussion questions, classroom activities, a Big Idea, and a writing prompt.
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Pace-Write-Read Study with Pace-Write It!
Pug's Got Talent serves as an excellent mentor text for teaching the 'diary' genre, which relies on a conversational, immediate pace. By using a first-person perspective, Kyla May creates a sense of intimacy that allows young readers to feel like they are inside Bub’s head, experiencing his nerves and excitement in real-time. The book demonstrates how to balance short, punchy sentences with descriptive illustrations to maintain a brisk, engaging rhythm suitable for early readers. In this study, students will observe how the author uses the diary format to control the flow of information. The book teaches the craft of writing by showing how to use 'voice' to establish character personality quickly. By analyzing the interplay between the text and the graphic elements, students learn how to use white space and visual cues to pace a story, ensuring that the reader is never overwhelmed and always eager to turn the page.
| Element | How to notice or teach it in the novel |
|---|---|
| Pace | The story moves quickly through short, diary-style entries that keep the reader engaged with Bub's immediate thoughts. |
| Plot | The plot follows a simple, linear structure centered on the preparation and execution of a talent show. |
| Prosody | The text uses enthusiastic, simple language that encourages expressive reading aloud. |
| Word Pause | Short sentences and diary headers create natural pauses that help young readers process the narrative. |
| Concept | The core concept is the relatable experience of wanting to be a star and learning to share the spotlight. |
| Voice & World View | Bub’s voice is optimistic, dog-centric, and full of energy, reflecting his limited but enthusiastic world view. |
| Setting & Place | The setting is familiar and cozy, primarily taking place in Bub’s home and school environment. |
| Point of View | The first-person diary format allows the reader to experience the world directly through Bub’s eyes. |
| Original Characters | Bub is a distinct, lovable character whose personality is defined by his love for costumes and stunts. |
| Dialogue | Dialogue is sparse and punchy, often used to highlight Bub’s interactions with his best friend, Bella. |
| Details | Specific details about Bub’s snazzy costumes add humor and depth to his character. |
| Descriptions | Descriptions are brief, relying heavily on the accompanying illustrations to fill in the visual gaps. |
| Strong First Lines | The book opens with an immediate hook about the excitement of the upcoming talent show. |
| Immediacy & Engagement | The diary format creates a 'right now' feeling that pulls the reader into Bub’s daily adventures. |
| Story Scenes & Summaries & Unique Structures | The book uses a diary structure to summarize events while focusing on key emotional scenes. |
| Flashback & Flash Forward & Cliffhangers | The book avoids complex time shifts, keeping the narrative focused on the present to suit the target age group. |
| Tension & Suspense & Surprise | Tension is built through the arrival of a rival performer, creating a 'will he win?' moment. |
| Page Turns and Chapter Breaks | Page turns are used to reveal the results of Bub’s stunts or the reactions of his friends. |
| Performance | The talent show theme is inherently performative, encouraging readers to imagine the action. |
| Personality | Bub’s personality is established through his bold claims and his eventual humility. |
| Humor | Humor is derived from the absurdity of a pug trying to perform complex skateboarding stunts. |
| Pause | The layout uses white space to create pauses that allow the reader to look at the illustrations. |
| Poetry and Poetic Devices | The text uses simple, rhythmic language that mimics the cadence of a child’s diary. |
| Repetition | Repetition of Bub’s excitement helps reinforce his character traits throughout the book. |
| Rhythm | The rhythm is fast and upbeat, matching the energy of a dog preparing for a big event. |
| Punctuation | Exclamation points are used frequently to convey Bub’s high energy and excitement. |
| Questions | Bub often asks himself questions, which helps the reader follow his internal decision-making process. |
| Compare-Contrast | The story contrasts Bub’s skills with those of the other performer to drive the plot forward. |
| Objects | Objects like the skateboard and costumes are central to Bub’s identity and the plot. |
| Threes | The book often groups events in threes—preparation, performance, and reflection. |
| Whitespace & Negative Space | Generous white space makes the book accessible and prevents the pages from feeling cluttered. |
| Art & Graphics | The illustrations are essential to the story, providing the visual punchline to Bub’s diary entries. |
| Interactives & Gamification | The diary format invites the reader to 'join' Bub’s world, making the reading experience feel like a game. |
Pace-Write It!
In 20 minutes, have students write a 'Diary Entry' about a time they felt nervous or excited. Instruct them to use at least three exclamation points and one drawing to show their 'talent' or 'big moment,' mimicking Kyla May’s style of combining text and image to convey emotion.
Classroom Activities
Bub’s Talent Show Spotlight
Students create their own 'talent diary' entry and a corresponding illustration, focusing on a unique skill they possess, mirroring Bub’s excitement for the talent show.
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