Pug's Got Talent

by Kyla May

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?

Classroom Activity

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.

Lesson Plan

⏱ 45 minutes📦 Paper, pencils, colored markers, crayons, and printed diary-entry templates.

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

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.