The Children’s Book Review | August 29, 2010
Dog Days of Summer
This list of books for dog lovers is one that I’ve been compiling for a while, waiting for an opportune moment—the right doggone moment—to let it of the leash for all of you to enjoy.
The Dog Days of summer seemed like it would be the right moment, especially when I received an e-mail from Emily Pourciau of Random House Children’s Books that began with: Usher in the DOG DAYS of summer with titles from Random House Children’s Books!
So, I waited patiently for the Dog Days of summer to arrive. Very patiently! Only to have them arrive by surprise, stay for two days, and then disappear. Well, I hope they come back; however, even if they don’t, I know all of you dog lovers will find joy in the following books.
Picture Books
HOW ROCKET LEARNED TO READby Tad Hills
Publisher’s synopsis: New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Tad Hills—creator of the celebrated and bestselling Duck & Goose books—has created HOW ROCKET LEARNED TO READ, an expressive and affectionate new picture book that introduces the concept of learning to read in a fun and engaging way. The perfect back-to-school book for teachers and kids, HOW ROCKET LEARNED TO READ makes reading fun, while it simultaneously teaches the importance of listening, working hard and practicing.
Schwartz & Wade Books | July 27, 2010 | Ages 3–7 | 40 pages
Add this book to your collection: How Rocket Learned to Read
DOG LOVES BOOKSby Louise Yates
Publisher’s synopsis: A picture-book treat for the youngest dog lovers.
Dog loves books SO much he opens his very own bookstore. At first he’s short of customers. But that’s all right, because when Dog is surrounded by books, he is never short of friends—or fun. And when customers begin arriving, he knows just which books to recommend.
Louise Yates’s expressive little white dog—and his many expressive doggie customers—extend an irresistible invitation to the very youngest to try reading. It’s fun!
Knopf Books for Young Readers | July 27, 2010 | Ages 4-8 | 32 pages
Add this book to your collection: DOG LOVES BOOKS
PUPPY LOVEby Christophe Loupy & Eve Tharlet
Publisher’s synopsis: Greeted enthusiastically when they were first published, Hugs and Kisses, Don’t Worry, Wags, and Wiggles have been charming children—and their grown-ups—for years. Now these three popular books are combined into one volume!
NorthSouth | April 1, 2010 | Ages 3 and up | 72 pages
Add this book to your collection: Puppy Love
DOGSby Seymour Simon
Publisher’s synopsis: Dogs are the most popular pet in the world and Seymour Simon provides useful tips and guidelines for any kid looking for a new pet. Lavishly illustrated with full-color, appealing photographs, Seymour Simon captures dogs as they work, and play.
Collins | September 29, 2009 | Ages 5-8 | 32 pages
Add this book to your collection: DOGS
DOGS DON’T BRUSH THEIR TEETHby Diane deGroat and Shelley Rotner
Publisher’s synopsis: Readers of all ages will howl out loud as fifteen different dogs show what they can do, and what they can’t do! The hysterical photographs and illustrations are paired with fold-out fun. Dogs make us laugh with the many things they do. But readers will laugh out-loud when they discover what dogs can’t do.
Orchard Books | August 1, 2009 | Ages 3–7 | 32 pages
Add this book to your collection: Dogs Don’t Brush Their Teeth
PANTALOONby Kathryn Jackson
Publisher’s synopsis: Pantaloon is a poodle with a sweet tooth. He adores cookies and yummy pastries. So when the Baker is looking for a helper, Pantaloon applies for the job.
“Oh, no, Pantaloon!” says the Baker. “You look to me as if you’d eat more than you’d bake.” But Pantaloon proves him wrong in this charming Golden classic, brilliantly reillustrated by Steven Salerno.
Golden Books | March 9, 2010 | Ages 4-8 | 40 pages
Add this book to your collection: Pantaloon
MAGGIE’S BALLby Lindsay Barrett George
Publisher’s synopsis: This is Maggie’s ball.
Now all Maggie needs is a friend to play with.
Will you help her find one?
Greenwillow Books | May 18, 2010 | Ages 3–7 | 32 pages
Add this book to your collection: Maggie’s Ball
SABU AND MEby Maura Lane
Publisher’s synopsis: Sabu & Me (for children ages 2-6) is the story of Maura and her dog Sabu and the wonderful times they spent together during Maura’s early life. Written by Maura (age 7) herself, the book is a re-telling of her earliest memories with her best friend. Since Sabu was a rescue dog Maura thought it was a good idea to donate profits from her book to PAWS Chicago.
Maura’s words are complemented by the wonderful illustrations of Hazel Mitchell. Through a rainbow of colors, her illustrations bring the story of Sabu & Me to life. Mitchell works from her studio in Maine, and has illustrated many children’s books as well as commercial illustrations and painting.
Award: 2010 Book of the Year (Children’s Picture Book Category) for Creative Child Magazine
Alton Road Publishing | August 21, 2009 | Ages 2-6 | 24 pages
Add this book to your collection: Sabu and Me
MIDDLE GRADE
BULU: African Wonder Dog*
by Dick Houston
Publisher’s synopsis: This is the true story of a remarkable dog that found his calling as a foster parent to the orphaned baby animals in the African bush. Packed with vivid descriptions of adrenaline encounters, and illustrated throughout with black-and-white photographs, BULU: African Wonder Dog will leave fans of dog stories begging for more!
Random House Books for Young Readers | May 25, 2010 | Ages 9–12 | 336 pages
Add this book to your collection: Bulu: African Wonder Dog
LOVE THAT DOG
by Sharon Creech
Publishers synopsis: Jack hates poetry. Only girls write it and every time he tries to, his brain feels empty. But his teacher, Ms. Stretchberry, won’t stop giving her class poetry assignments — and Jack can’t avoid them. But then something amazing happens. The more he writes, the more he learns he does have something to say.
With a fresh and deceptively simple style, acclaimed author Sharon Creech tells a story with enormous heart. Written as a series of free-verse poems from Jack’s point of view, Love That Dog shows how one boy finds his own voice with the help of a teacher, a writer, a pencil, some yellow paper, and of course . . . a dog.
Scholastic Trade | June 30, 2003 | Ages 8 and up | 86 pages
Add this book to your collection: Love that Dog
YOUNG ADULT
ALPHA DOGby Jennifer Ziegler
Publisher’s synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Katie isn’t used to being in control. Her mother drives her crazy with her constant criticism and advice, and her boyfriend of two years just destroyed her whole world by dumping her on her birthday. When Katie adopts a dog that turns out to be a holy terror, everything changes. She takes Seamus in for obedience training and learns that she’s the one who has to be the “alpha dog.” Soon Katie’s in control of all aspects of her life and is finding it addictive. A perfect summer read, ALPHA DOG is empowering and fun!
Laurel-Leaf | May 11, 2010 | Ages 12 up | 336 pages
Add this book to your collection: Alpha Dog
Leave us a comment: Do you have a favorite dog book? Which one? Why?
*Emily Pourciau’s suggestions.
13 Comments
http://video.scholastic.com/services/player/bcpid75580074001?bctid=590000287001
This is a Cool book about a dog who loves books!
Thanks for the link to a fun looking book.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful list and I linked back to you on my blog. My baby signs blog which talks about using baby signs and the family pet. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the list. Thanks for linking back to us—much appreciated!
Congratulations Maura Lane!
Yes, she is off to a good start.
Great list. And surprisingly, I have several of them.
For our adult readers, may I suggest some non-fiction? Tell Me Where it Hurts. It’s a day in the life of a vet.
And for our adults and YA some fiction: The Art of Racing in the Rain.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Great list, I’m always looking for good kids books about dogs since we have 2 at home. I recently heard about this book because the author is a teacher in my child’s school, its a great kids book about dogs! http://www.toriisadventures.com
I’m glad you enjoyed the list. Thanks for sharing your suggestion with us!
What a great site! My kids will love some of these. Here’s a personal favorite of theirs: http://www.amazon.com/Bird-Pooped-My-Head-ebook/dp/B003YH9J2G
I’ll have to post on Facebook about this site!
Please consider reviewing my daughter’s book – JUST PUBLISHED. She is donating 50% of her proceeds to a local animal rescue. She is 7 years old!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1530072328
Bo Dog’s True Story tells the captivating story of a 100 year old homeless veteran who lived under the highway with his dignified dog. All they had was each other. Bo acted like watching over old Wildhawk was his only job. This wonderful story with a powerful message needs you review. Thank you for considering Bo Dog’s Book.