Pug's Road Trip

by Kyla May

Big Idea

True friendship is defined by thoughtfulness and the ability to turn unexpected setbacks into creative solutions. Through Bub the Pug's journey, students learn that the best souvenirs are those that carry the heart and memory of an experience.

Discussion Questions

1.Why was it important to Bub and Bella to bring a souvenir back for Jack?
2.How did Bub feel when the original souvenirs broke, and how did he change his perspective?
3.What does this story teach us about how to handle disappointment when plans change?
4.If you were going on a road trip, what is one 'treasure' you would want to collect for a friend?
5.How does Bub's perspective as a dog make the road trip more exciting or funny?

Classroom Activity

The Souvenir Story Map

Students will create a 'Road Trip Map' souvenir, similar to the one Bella and Bub make in the book, by drawing and labeling key locations from their own lives or a fictional journey, focusing on the memories associated with each place.

Lesson Plan

⏱ 45 minutes📦 Large construction paper, markers, crayons, colored pencils, glue, and printed templates of map icons.

Learning Goals

Identify the sequence of events in a narrative.
Practice creative problem-solving by repurposing materials.
Express empathy and thoughtfulness through written and visual storytelling.

Activity Steps

1.Discuss the moment in the book where Bella's souvenirs break and how she solves the problem.
2.Ask students to brainstorm three 'special places' they have visited or would like to visit.
3.Provide paper and art supplies for students to draw a map connecting these locations.
4.Have students write one sentence for each location describing a 'treasure' or memory found there.
5.Allow students to share their maps with a partner, explaining why their chosen memories are special.

Standards Connections

ELA: RL.K.3 (Describe characters, settings, and major events)
ELA: W.K.3 (Use a combination of drawing and writing to narrate an event)
SEL: Relationship Skills (Demonstrating care for others)

Pace-Write-Read Study with Pace-Write It!

Pug's Road Trip is an exemplary text for studying the craft of early chapter books because it balances high-interest, fast-paced action with the intimate, reflective voice of a diary. By analyzing how Kyla May uses the diary format, students can see how internal monologue drives a story forward while keeping the reader engaged through constant, bite-sized narrative beats. This book teaches the 'Pace-Write-Read' method by demonstrating how to use page turns as rhythmic tools. Each page turn acts as a mini-cliffhanger or a punchline, teaching students that writing for young readers requires a deliberate cadence where every sentence serves a purpose in moving the character toward their goal.

Element	How to notice or teach it in the novel
Pace	The story moves quickly through short chapters, mirroring the excitement of a road trip.
Plot	The plot is driven by a clear goal: finding the perfect souvenir for Jack.
Prosody	The text uses enthusiastic, dog-centric language that encourages expressive reading aloud.
Word Pause	Short, punchy sentences allow for natural pauses that emphasize Bub's excitement.
Concept	The core concept is the 'road trip,' which provides a natural structure for episodic storytelling.
Voice & World View	The story is told entirely through Bub's eyes, focusing on smells, treats, and his love for Bella.
Setting & Place	The setting changes frequently, allowing the author to introduce new, quirky cousins at each stop.
Point of View	First-person perspective keeps the reader close to Bub's emotional journey.
Original Characters	Bub is a relatable, funny protagonist whose personality shines through his diary entries.
Dialogue	Dialogue is sparse and natural, keeping the focus on Bub's internal thoughts.
Details	Specific details about the 'treasures' Bub collects make the story feel grounded and real.
Descriptions	Descriptions are sensory-focused, highlighting what a pug would notice on a trip.
Strong First Lines	Each entry starts with a hook that immediately establishes the day's mission.
Immediacy & Engagement	The diary format makes the reader feel like they are experiencing the trip in real-time.
Story Scenes & Summaries & Unique Structures	The book uses a diary structure to summarize travel time and focus on key scenes.
Flashback & Flash Forward & Cliffhangers	The promise to Jack acts as a recurring anchor, creating tension throughout the trip.
Tension & Suspense & Surprise	The breaking of the souvenirs provides a moment of genuine suspense and emotional stakes.
Page Turns and Chapter Breaks	Page turns are used to reveal new locations or the result of a funny mishap.
Performance	The text is written to be performed with high energy and varied vocal tones.
Personality	Bub's personality is defined by his loyalty and his love for snacks.
Humor	Humor is derived from Bub's dog-like misunderstandings of human travel.
Pause	The author uses white space to create pauses between Bub's frantic thoughts.
Poetry and Poetic Devices	The rhythmic repetition of Bub's excitement creates a poetic flow.
Repetition	The recurring theme of 'finding a souvenir' provides structural repetition.
Rhythm	The rhythm is fast and upbeat, matching the energy of a road trip.
Punctuation	Exclamation points are used frequently to convey Bub's high-energy personality.
Questions	Bub often asks himself questions, which helps the reader track his problem-solving.
Compare-Contrast	Bub compares his life at home to the new, strange places he visits.
Objects	Souvenirs serve as physical objects that represent the emotional arc of the story.
Threes	The story follows a classic three-act structure: the plan, the journey/mishap, and the resolution.
Whitespace & Negative Space	Generous whitespace allows the illustrations to breathe and supports early readers.
Art & Graphics	Full-color illustrations are essential to the narrative, showing what Bub sees.
Interactives & Gamification	The book invites readers to 'collect' memories alongside Bub.

Pace-Write It!

In 20 minutes, have students write a one-page 'Diary Entry' about a trip they have taken. Instruct them to include one 'problem' they faced and one 'creative solution' they used, mimicking Bub's diary style.