A dog is what my daughter wants more than anything. A chihuahua to be specific. Due to her obsession with dogs we have read a lot of picture books about dogs.
From puppies to caring for dogs and all of the pet love in between these books capture dogs and the beautiful relationship between people and their pets.
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17 Best Children’s Books about Dogs
1.Stay, Benson!
by Thereza Rowe
Think DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS meets CARL THE DOG books. Flick tells her dog Benson to stay but he takes off the moment she leaves. Despite the reader reminding him to be good and go home, Benson has a marvelous day playing and still makes it home in time to greet Flick. Brightly colored die cut art makes Benson’s adventures pop off the page and the brief text makes this a fun one to read with toddlers and up.
2. The Rough Patch
by Brian Lies
Oh gosh does this tug at your heart strings. Evan and his dog do everything together. They favorite thing it tending Evan’s garden. Until one day his dog dies and life just isn’t the same. Death and loss and big feelings are dealt with so artfully and skillfully and tenderly in this beautiful book about love and friendship and loss and healing.
3. Found.
by Jeff Newman and Larry Day
Oh how I love a good wordless tale and this one is so perfectly sparse and dear. It is the story of a dog – lost and found. Anyone who has ever lost (or found) a pet with so identify with this story.
4. Can I Be Your Dog?
by Troy Cummings
This book is beyond adorable. A sweet, happy puppy just wants a home. Written entirely in letter form, the dog makes his case to one neighbor after another until he finds an unexpected, but welcome home.
5. A Dog Named Doug
by Karma Wilson
illustrated by Matt Myers
This is a book kids will love. My own kids had me reading it on repeat for the first few weeks we had it and it’s still a favorite read aloud month’s later. Karma Wilson (author of the beloved Bear Snores On books) has a magical gift for words. The way she plays with words and sounds and rhyme is nothing short of genius. Matt Myers (also a bestselling illustrator) adds to the hilarity with his comical and often over the top illustrations. A fun ride.
6. Little Brown
by Marla Frazee
This book is more about not having friends and the lengths that one might go to in order to have friends. Little Brown, a dog, is cranky. It might be because no one at the dog park plays with him. It might be that no one plays with him because he’s cranky. Regardless, today he decides to do something about it but….it might not be the best approach. I like that this book doesn’t really answer any questions, but it raises good ones and will start a conversation about this ordinary childhood event.
7. Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog
by Lisa Papp
This is a wonderful, heartwarming story about a little girl decides to make a difference at her local shelter. Her small ways of trying to help the dogs are so full of childlike love and caring and in the end do make a lasting difference to at least one dog. The gentle illustrations perfectly mirror her gentle heart. The story is well paced and tugs at the heart strings. For my dog obsessed, animal loving little girl this story is perfection. You would also love MADELINE FINN AND THE THERAPY DOG.
8. The First Pup: The Real Story of How Bo Got to the White House
by Bob Staake
A super cute story about the Obama family and how they came to own Bo the First Pup. Full of energy and spunk, this is a fun story to read aloud. You can almost feel the cheerful puppy’s tail wag.
9. King and Kayla series by Dori Hillestad Butler
I love this newer series of fun mysteries. They are all told from the perspective of King – Kayla’s dog which adds to the humor. They are well written and the mysteries are simply, but interesting.
10. Madame Martine by Sarah S. Brannen
Madame Martine lives a quiet life all alone in Paris. She is rather stuck in her somewhat boring ways until one day she finds a little dog. That little dog changes her life. A sweet story about how one little thing – or dog – can make a difference in a life and how trying something new can make all the difference.
11. Juana and Lucas by Juana Medina
This is a delightful series – technically there are only two right now but we are hoping for more. Juana is so sweet and spunky and I love the way spanish words are blended into the text.
12. Doggy Whys
by Lila Prap
Silly but also super informative this is a great book for kids who have lots of questions about dogs. It answers the big ones – why does a dog pee on things? Why does a dog wag it’s tail? It also covers some of the different kinds of dogs. All that in a playful format.
13. Why Do Dogs Sniff Butts?
by Dr. Nick Crumpton
illustrated by Lily Snowden-Fine
This has a similar question and answer format as the book above. This one is a touch more informative and answers some different questions and definitely wins for best title. I would argue dog fans should read both. My favorite page in WHY DO DOGS SNIFF BUTTS was the one of different tail wags, but all of them were interesting and informative. An entertaining nonfiction book for the dog lover in your life.
14. I Love You, Fred
by Mick Inkpen
illustrated by Chloe Inkpen
This is an adorable book that lets readers see the dog’s perspective a little bit better. Dear Fred tries to be a good puppy and he mostly does everything he’s supposed to but he can’t figure out how to “Fred.” Kids love understanding something the characters don’t and they’ll root for sweet Fred to figure it out. A fun read aloud.
15. Two Dogs on a Trike
by Gabi Snyder
illustrated by Robin Rosenthal
I adore a counting book with a good story and this one is oh so fun. The words are concise and encourage little ones to count the growing number of dogs and later subtract as the dogs depart. The illustrations however tell the story of a rather determined cat chasing after them. This adds an excellent layer of suspense, adventure and humor that will keep kids coming back to this book again and again. A counting book with dogs, cats, all manner of transportation, and a little humor – really what more could you want? A excellent book for toddlers and preschoolers learning to count.
16. If You Want a Friend in the Washington
by Erin McGill
This is more of bonus because it is not just about dogs, although a remarkable number of presidents have had dogs in the White House. This is about all the pets presidents have had. It’s full of interesting facts and tidbits. For kids who love dogs, and other pets, this is a fun way to make the presidents more accessible.
17. Boop!
By Bea Birdsong
Pictures by Linzie Hunter
BOOP! is an interactive book all about dogs. It invites the reader to BOOP! them on the nose which I’ll admit was a little random of a request, but the book is so cute and the puppies are so endearing that it just feels fun. I also love the pages that encourage you to look a little closer at the illustrations. This is a great one for toddlers or young preschoolers.
18. Wonder Dogs
by Linda Ashman
illustrated by Karen Obuhanych
WONDER DOGS is the latest by the poetic Linda Ashman. It is told from a perspective of a dog who is in awe of the wonder dogs around them. The ones who rescue people, guide people, and perform impressive athletic acts. This dog however doesn’t feel particularly wonderful, but then upon reflection he realizes he does have some pretty awesome powers. This picture book is darling and perfect for the dog owners in your life.
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