Thematic Reading List: Dogs- 15 Books About Dogs
Dog characters are no stranger to children’s literature- Biscuit, Clifford, Hank the Cowdog just to name a few. We have chosen a variety of books, suitable for ages 5 to 12, that show dogs in many distinct roles and situations. Many of the titles will provoke meaningful conversations about responsibility, loyalty, acceptance, and much more.
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Gaston By: Kelly DiPucchio A proper bulldog raised in a poodle family and a tough poodle raised in a bulldog family meet one day in the park. |
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A Dog Wearing Shoes By: Sangmi Ko Mini finds a dog in the park wearing shoes but no collar and begs to keep him, but soon she realizes that whoever put the shoes on him loves the dog, as well. |
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Americanine: a haute dog in New York By: Yann Kebbi From Broadway to the subway, the Flatiron to Central Park, Americanine explores New York City from the ground up! |
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Captain Pug : the dog who sailed the seas By: Laura James Pug is going on a seafaring adventure. He’s had jam tarts for breakfast. He’s wearing a smart sailor suit. There’s just one problem. Pug is afraid of the water! |
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Argos : the story of Odysseus as told by his loyal dog By: Ralph Hardy Retells the epic tale of Odysseus, the ancient Greek hero who encounters witches and other obstacles on his journey home after fighting in the Trojan War, told from the point of view of the steadfast companion who never gives up hope of his master’s safe return. |
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Sojo : memoirs of a reluctant sled dog By: Pam Flowers A sled dog on an Alaskan dog team relates her exciting adventures, including a trek across the Arctic with explorer Pam Flowers. |
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The Poet’s Dog By: Patricia MacLachlan Teddy, a dog, leads siblings Nickel and Flora through a terrible snowstorm to shelter in a cabin, where he is flooded with memories of his deceased owner, the poet Sylvan. |
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Snow Dog, Sand Dog By: Linda Joy Singleton When Ally’s allergies prevent her from owning a pet dog, she uses her imagination to craft four-legged friends during each season, including a snow dog, flower dog, and leaf dog. |
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Dogs By: Cari Meister This photo-illustrated book for early readers tells how to take care of a pet dog. |
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Found Dogs By: Erica Sirotich Counts up ten dogs who are waiting in a shelter, then counts back down to one as each dog is adopted. |
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Won Ton and Chopstick: a cat and dog tale told in haiku By: Lee Wardlaw Won Ton and his boy are enjoying a fine life until “Doom” arrives–a dog that is smelly and steals his dinner, but soon the disgruntled cat learns that his new family member might have some good points, too. |
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The Dog That Nino Didn’t Have By: Edward van de Vendel Nino has a wonderful time playing with his imaginary dog until he gets a real one, and although the new dog does not always behave as he expects, Nino is still content. |
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Please Take Me for a Walk By: Susan Gal A dog gives many good reasons it likes to go for a walk–to chase away the neighbor’s cat, to greet people on the street, to watch guys shooting hoops, and to feel the wind lifting its ears. |
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Dogs By: Emily Gravett Big dogs, small dogs, stripy dogs, spotty dogs. There are so many different kinds of dogs. How can anyone pick one type of dog to love the most? |
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The Missing Dog is Spotted By: Jessica Scott Kerrin Trevor and Loyola, paired together for a dog walking assignment, become friends as they try to track down a missing spotted dog. |
My favorite dog picture book is Trouper by Meg Kearney, illistrated by E.B. Lewis. I highly recommend that one.
I meant illustrated
Great list! For readers who care about dog and child safety, I’d like to immodestly add my book MAY I PET YOUR DOG? The How-to Guide for KIDS Meeting Dogs (and DOGS Meeting KIDS). It’s a Hornbook Fanfare title and an ALA Award-winning video from Dreamscape. It also stars a very cute dachshund.
http://stephaniecalmenson.com/books/may-i-pet-your-dog-the-how-to-guide-for-kids-meeting-dogs-and-dogs-meeting-kids/