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
by 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
by 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
by 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
by 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
by 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
by 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
by 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
by 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
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
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
by 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.