The Best Dog Books For Kids
Dogs have a loyal, energetic, and content nature by nature. Unfortunately, they also tend to be mischievous rascals who love getting themselves into mischief.
Dog books make great reading material for kids and can help them hone their literacy skills. Here are some of my top picks.
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
Where the Red Fern Grows is a beloved classic book that depicts the intense love between a boy and his dogs. A favorite of readers both young and old since 1961, this special edition cover commemorates its 50+ years in print!
Ten-year-old Billy has a dream to own two beautiful coonhound puppies. Unfortunately, his parents cannot afford it so Billy saves up his own money and earns enough to purchase two puppies.
He names them Old Dan and Little Ann, training them to become gold-cup hunting dogs. Together they live an exciting life as they roam the Ozark Mountains in pursuit of wildlife – until their winning streak comes to an end. Billy is devastated when their success finally ends.
Billy’s strong sense of right and wrong, his determination, and his unfailing love for his family provide him with strength during this trying time. He finds solace and hope in the place where the red fern grows – a place filled with red-tinged beauty.
This story is ideal for children who want to explore the wilderness and uncover their inner strength. It also tells a touching tale of friendship and eternal love, with Billy as its inspiring protagonist determined to make his dream come true even when it seems impossible. Children will be charmed by Billy’s unwavering determination and inspiring determination.
Walter the Farting Dog by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray
Walter the Farting Dog, a New York Times best seller and beloved of many children, is an entertaining book that’s sure to have readers laughing out loud. It follows a pup with serious gas problems who must adapt in his new family’s home environment – much to his owners’ dismay!
Billy and Betty, two young children, decide to adopt a dog from the pound. But soon they discover that this adorable pup is far more than what he seems.
Walter suffers from an irrepressible gas problem that causes him to be excessively flatulent during meals, sleeps, playing and baths. Although it’s an inconvenience for him, he still adores his new family and hopes to be able to stay for some time.
He is then pressured into helping out a criminal by filling balloons with his foul-smelling eruption and blowing them up like stink bombs. Additionally, he helps wake up his sleepy family after two burglars break into the house.
Audrey Colman’s illustrations bring to life the simple narrative of Walter the Farting Dog with her slightly surrealist digital collages. Her sharp-edged, cartoony images feature both sharp edges and oversized text, creating an effect that is both humorous and poignant at once. Colman’s quirky sense of humour and portrayal of Walter as a perpetual apology are major components behind why Walter the Farting Dog has won so many hearts.
Strider by Leigh Botts
Beverly Cleary has always written books “about kids like us,” and her Newbery Medal-winning novels such as Henry Huggins, Ramona Quimby and Ralph Mouse continue to capture the hearts of readers around the world. This epistolary novel about a boy connecting with his favorite author explores the growing pains of friendship and self-acceptance that come with age – making it an ideal read for upper elementary or middle school students.
Since second grade, Leigh Botts has been writing to his favorite children’s book author, Boyd Henshaw. Now in sixth grade, he feels lonely and angry about the absence of his dad – a cross-country trucker – as well as frustrated by an unknown thief who steals from his lunchbag.
Strider, a stray dog, makes his way into Leigh’s life and transforms it from the inside out. He helps him find strength to accept his parents’ divorce and introduces him to an attractive redheaded girl who’s been admiring him for some time.
Strider is an engaging, funny, and deeply moving story about friendship and growing up. It would make a wonderful addition to any library – readers of all ages are sure to love it!
Sounder by Beverly Cleary
Beverly Cleary wrote books that captured the hearts and imaginations of generations of young readers, inspiring characters such as Ramona Quimby and Beezus Quimby in her beloved Henry Huggins series. Millions enjoyed following along on Henry’s adventures with neighbors Ellen Tebbits, Otis Spofford, Beatrice “Beezus” Quimby and Ramona on Klickitat Street in Portland, Oregon–where Cleary spent her childhood years.
Cleary drew inspiration from her own experiences as an only child and the small moments in life to create memorable characters. She captured both the mundane and joyful moments in a child’s life, such as the first snowfall, school plays, disagreements with classmates or miscommunications with teachers.
Cleary’s candid, sometimes humorous and at other times hysterical stories about everyday kids will delight families of all ages. Her stories offer parents a chance to discuss the struggles they share with their own kids while encouraging them to find the good in each other.
On April 12, Cleary will celebrate her 101-year birthday at her retirement home with a slice of carrot cake and screening of “Discovering Beverly Cleary: An Oregon Art Beat”, which explores her work and pays homage to her legacy.
The Perfect Dog by Laura Amy Schlitz
Laura Amy Schlitz’s The Perfect Dog, illustrated by Brian Floca, is one of the sweetest books about dogs you’ll ever read. It follows a girl who desperately wants to have a pup but doesn’t have enough money for one. Ultimately, though, she ends up getting what she wants – an adorable pup named Theo!
Laura Amy Schlitz is a Newbery Medalist and author of several popular children’s books. Additionally, she has written an adult novella entitled A Drowned Maiden’s Hair: A Melodrama which I personally think is her best work.
She is a teacher from Maryland and an accomplished author of historical fiction, including the Newbery Honor Book Splendors and Glooms.
This short book is perfect for young readers just beginning to read chapter books. It has just enough detail and humorous writing to keep kids engaged throughout.
This book is ideal for kids who enjoy reading short, sweet dog stories. It’s suitable for preschoolers and toddlers as well as older readers who are ready to tackle longer chapter books. The illustrations are large and bold enough to draw attention while also tickling readers’ funny bones.
Homer the Wolf Camp by Laura Joffe Numeroff
An enjoyable tale about three sisters (chickens) with unusual talents who first annoy their neighbors and then save the day. Created by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond, this book is an inventive combination of text and art.
The plotline is straightforward: Violet, Poppy and Babs are three chicken sisters who are unbeatably unique in their baking, knitting and singing skillsets. Unfortunately for them, none of their neighbors share their eccentric interests – until a local big bad wolf takes an interest in what they have to offer.
What follows is an entertaining tale of how the trio (and their animal companions) overcome the wolf through cleverness, bravado and some good luck. While not quite as clever as some of Numeroff’s past work, this remains an enjoyable romp.
The book’s tarot-inspired page layout is not overly complex, making it an ideal choice for preschoolers. Illustrations by collaborators Numeroff and Bond are as charming as the girls they portray. Plus, there are some neat interactive elements like a small spooky eyeball on the cover and paper-over-board mini-book edition in a box.
A Stone for Sascha by Aaron Becker
Aaron Becker’s wordless picture book The Loss of a Pet takes readers on an epic journey across time and history to reimagine the loss of one child’s pet as part of an ancient cycle that spans millennia. It is truly captivating – one that will keep readers turning pages over and over again.
A young girl mourns the loss of her dog during a summer vacation. Walking along the beach to collect cool, polished stones proves to be an inspiring turning point in her grief journey.
As she skips from stone to stone, this tranquil picture book explores the power of connection beyond time and civilizations. With beautiful, dreamlike illustrations that will draw readers in, the story offers comfort for those who have suffered loss.
This book offers an intriguing perspective on loss and the passage of time, but it’s best suited for kids with some basic knowledge of geology. The captivating illustrations will captivate those who appreciate traveling back in time to view nature with new eyes.