Children’s Books About Dogs

Both of these author-illustrators have separately created some joyous picture books for children and in this collaboration it sees the two create a humorous rhyming picture book with a canine theme.

The premise requires the reader to enjoy the notion that dogs really like dressing up in clothes and do this so they can ‘blend in’ with everyday human life. The idea of dogs in high heels “to make them look big” certainly can’t help but raise a smile! Dogs can sneak into all sorts of places when disguised, whether it’s a fancy café, a gym or a swimming pool. The rhyming is masterful and it would be great to see if dog-loving children can spot which dog must be dressed in the disguise based on the rhyme. It could, after all, only be a Shih-tzu that does jujitsu, and schnauzers that wear trousers!

I love the idea that dogs train their puppies to sit at tables and to walk on two legs to ensure they make the most of a disguise. Dogs are also shown in other types of disguises: dressed as a tree for example. Of course, this comes with its own disadvantage, shown rather amusingly, with a range of undisguised dogs relieving themselves against the disgruntled looking dog who is disguised as the tree! The illustrations deserve to be pored over with so many dogs in unusual outfits doing everyday jobs – I particularly like the dog disguised as a bouncer outside a club.

This is a fun book that will raise a smile on the faces of dog-lovers and non-dog-lovers alike!

Perfect for dog lovers, this book causes a smile with the ‘Tail of Happiness’- a wagging tail!

The main character, whose name we never find out, has a special bond with his dog ‘Sam’ – whose superpower is happiness. When the main character’s dad goes to work, he feels sad and the story is about the journey of following Sam to help him find happiness. They do all the usual fun games for a dog such a sniffing a shoe and chasing a ball. Once his dad comes home, he feels very happy but realises that he can now find happiness on his own, although it is even better to find it together.

The illustrations throughout the story stand out due to the white background. For children who prefer a less busy background, this story is ideal. The main character has a hearing aid, which is not mentioned during the story, supporting positive representations of characters with hearing loss.

This story is a celebration of man’s best friend as well as taking joy from all around us. Sam the dog is a great role model in finding happiness in both likely and unlikely places. This story is a wonderful addition to an Early Years/ KS1 classroom to read aloud or have in the book corner.

This is a popular picture book with a message about the right to follow individual choices even when it means opting to be different from others. Biff is not like ordinary dogs. Instead of chasing sticks and scratching his fleas, Biff likes moonlight, music and walking on tiptoes. Biff does not see himself as a dog but as a ballerina. Can he follow his dreams despite the way others see him? Dogs Don’t Do Ballet is an important story about allowing ourselves and others the freedom to express individual liberty.

For those just past the Early Readers stage, Jasper: Space Dog is a fun and easy to read first chapter book. The book is written in the form of letters from Jasper (and his human owner, Charlie) to Dr Isabella Starr, Rocket Scientist. The letters from Charlie and Jasper are silly and light; they ask questions such as ‘Is the moon made of cheese?’, ‘Do astronauts eat hotdogs?’, and ‘Did the astronauts see a man in the moon?’.

Dr Starr’s replies are fun too, but also provide interesting facts. Did you know that the landing module Eagle was originally going to be called Haystack? ‘Houston, the Haystack has landed’ doesn’t have quite the same ring! Or that the astronauts couldn’t afford life insurance, so they each signed hundreds of photos to be sold if they didn’t make it back to raise money for their families. Jasper: Space Dog provides young readers with all of these answers and more.

I love this series and jumped at the chance to get hold of River Rescue for my younger primary pupils! Paige Braddock has really hit the sweet spot for younger readers new to graphic novels. These are just lovely, simple stories of a wise grown-up dog (Crackers), a typical grumpy heart-of-gold cat (Butter) and an irrepressible new puppy (Peanut). They’re very straightforward stories which don’t rely on puns or clever vocabulary to be funny; the humour is all in the characters, making them ideal for children who have maybe struggled but are making progress into independent, confident readers. When you hear “I can’t put it down!” from these readers, you know you’re on to something a bit special.

River Rescue tells the story of a camper van trip into the woods – super-exciting for little Peanut, perhaps not quite so much for home-loving Crackers. All is comfortable until Butter’s feline pride gets the better of him, mysteriously disappearing off for an adventure with Peanut, and the two end up needing calm, steady Crackers (and a helpful beaver!) to pull them out of the river. The illustrations are bright, clean and uncluttered, with larger typeface than usual in the speech bubbles. There’s a short bonus story and a “how to draw the characters” section at the back in the same vein as Dogman and Bunny vs Monkey.

Peanut, Butter and Crackers are great stories in their own right, but they could serve as an introduction to graphic novels and is real fun for Year 1 and Year 2.

If you are looking for something to read that is fast-paced and humorous, this laugh-out-loud adventure story is the one for you! This is the whacky tale of cabin boy Shen and his friend Sika, who together with a motley crew of pugs enter an exciting race through vast and varied Arctic landscapes. This exciting and amusing tale is a great story to read aloud.

Jen Carney writes with love and humour. A brilliantly funny, family-friendly story perfect for fans of dogs, pranks and adventures. Cleverly illustrated with comic strips and cartoons this is both easily accessible and inclusive, with representation of families of different shapes and sizes.

Ferris Foster’s neighbour Destiny boasts about videos of her dog going viral. So in retaliation, Ferris claims that his dog Aldo can become an even bigger internet star. However, despite being his best friend, Aldo is not big or clever or talented. He is a dog! So when Aldo is filmed doing what looks like an amazing trick Ferris believes he is onto a winner. . . will Aldo give Ferris the break he needs and live up to his comic book alter-ego? Or will this be FAILURE with a capital F? Who doesn’t want to be famous these days?

This is a funny, feel-good, laugh-out-loud adventure to prove that family and friends are everything.

The Dog That Saved the World (Cup) is a thoroughly enjoyable story of a dog and his family. Inspired by events of 1966, Phil Earle brings the legend of the Jules Rimet trophy theft up to date by placing his tale in a contemporary setting with contemporary problems. Being narrated by Pickles the dog, difficult – but real – issues of unemployment, single-parenting, poverty and homelessness are explored with an innocent honesty that makes them accessible and appropriate for younger readers. Despite the underlying struggles and heartaches, this is not a story of sadness, but it is a quick, positive read that is fun and uplifting.

After the ending of the story, there is an author’s note explaining the real-life inspiration behind the book. Fara Williams, England’s most capped women’s footballer, has shown that dreams can come true as she herself was homeless but never without hope because she had football in her life. Elsie is a reflection of Fara – full of hope, determination and undefeated by life’s challenges.

Printed on a dyslexia-friendly font on cream paper, the story is delightfully illustrated by Elisa Paganelli. The drawings are predominantly joyful. showing happy faces and the bond between a family who have lots of love even when they have little else.

A fun, super-readable story of football with much, much more besides.

A gripping mountain-based adventure with strong female role models. Clova has grown up with the mountains and moors as her playground, with her Mum and Dad’s love of the outdoors shared passionately since the day she was born. When her Mum’s life is lost during a search and rescue mission, Clova loses not just her Mum, but her Dad, her best friend and the freedom to run wild that, to her, is the very essence of life itself. By chance she meets Taffy, an abandoned collie, and a bond develops between them that might just save more than one life, including their own.

This is a story filled with loss and heartbreak, hope and fear, and a delicate web of characters, each experiencing and dealing with loss in their own way.  I found myself wanting to pack a rucksack and hiking boots and head straight off to the highlands of Scotland, then became mindful of the dangers that might arise if I did just that. Masterful and sweet, each character is introduced, sometimes fleetingly, only to return at a poignant point later as their paths cross again and the elaborate tapestry that Forrest sews comes together.

This is a positive and uplifting book that would appeal across Key Stage Two year groups. This empathy-boosting story explores themes of change, friendship, animals and neurodiversity.

11-year-old Alex is autistic and having difficulty navigating school and friendships, especially with the transition to secondary school on the horizon. His relationship with his dog, Kevin, is at the heart of the story and their ambitions ultimately lead to important lessons about friendship.

Dog-themed books are hugely popular with children.  As well as the bond between children and pets, the story covers some of the anxieties and concerns associated with the transition to secondary school and the particular challenges of change for autistic individuals. It would also be suitable for much younger, capable readers and will be enjoyed by a wide range of readers, making it a great choice for a school library.

A fantastic dog-themed book to satisfy emotionally mature readers in year 6.

A Street Dog Named Pup is a gripping adventure story seen through the eyes of Pup, a dog who is cruelly abandoned by an adult in his family. The story follows Pup as he tries to find his “Boy” again. There are highs and lows, good spells and deeply, deeply unhappy spells in the dog’s life as he tries to be reunited with the boy he loves.

I’ve honestly not read a book like this before. The powerful imagery and raw emotion that you feel reading this are immense. The dogs that Pup meets as he tries to survive on the streets each come with their own stories, which have been beautifully thought out and with which we humans can identify. There is a story about, for example, a small dog who is so old she barely comes out of the handbag she was abandoned in – who also has a threadbare collar with one last jewel hanging on by a thread. Another of Pup’s companions is a French bulldog who is desperate for a snout as he can barely breathe through his flat nose. Another is a hound that has been scarred, physically and mentally, by the fox hunts he worked on before being abandoned.

There are very human qualities to the dogs and the story is so well written that you end up caring what happens to each and every one of them. Will Pup reach his destination and be happy? Will he end up being caught by The Snatchers and go to Dogsdoom, perhaps even end up going through the Door of No Return?

Whatever happens, you will be sure to be caught up in the emotional rollercoaster of his journey. 

Thinking and talking about war with children is difficult. Is war exciting? Are all soldiers brave? Is playing war games violent? When is killing other people justified?

These are the sorts of questions raised by Jack, the eleven year old boy at the centre of Tom Palmer’s new story, D-Day Dog. Jack’s dad is a reserve soldier about to be called up to Afghanistan and Jack couldn’t be more proud. At school, the class is preparing for a trip to Normandy to visit the site of the D-Day landings and Jack is already really excited.

But as Jack learns more about war, through learning about the life of his new Syrian classmate Kasandra and reading about WW2 Private Emile Corteil and his dog Glen, he begins to question everything he thought he knew about war.

This is such an important book to read to all children who are learning about war and the impact it has on the lives of the people and animals involved. Through the voice of Jack, Tom Palmer sensitively yet unflinchingly discusses the consequences and emotions involved in warfare. Brilliantly researched, the book is full of fascinating facts which are woven together to create a truly moving and gripping read.

Dyslexia-friendly in a clear, uncluttered font, this is a must-read for all 9-12-year-olds, not just in this year on the commemoration of the D-Day landings. Reading aloud to a whole class would allow the children to discuss the plot and the questions as they are unveiled through the story. It would also work well as a read-alone book or one to read at bedtime. But, do leave time for conversations afterwards. The ideas and issues contained within this simple and compelling story are too important to gloss over.

Cosmo’s best friend is Max and they are inseparable. When Max feels something, Cosmo feels it too. Max sees his family falling apart and fears they may get separated as a result, so together Max and Cosmo hatch a plan to show everyone they need to be together. The only problem is the plan involves them winning a dance competition and Cosmo has never danced. Oh, and also that Cosmo is a dog.

Sensitively written from the unusual perspective of a dog, Sorosiak charts the journey one family takes as their once unified family falls apart, but shows that even when love changes it can still endure.

Perfect for dog lovers, this appealing story is full of heart. Interspersed with flashbacks and observations, Sorosiak paints a picture of Cosmo’s story – how he came to be with the family, his weaknesses and strengths but above all his unquestionable love and devotion to one little boy. The story may help those whose own families are going through a break up or just provide an interesting perspective to start discussions on how other characters in the book may be feeling at different points in the story.

Perhaps most suited to mature readers in upper KS2 or lower KS3, this book offers great scope for discussions on inference, perspective and prediction. All that said, this book will win your heart and have you up reading past your bedtime as you fall in love with Cosmo and root for him to succeed. If you want to convince someone to get a dog, this might just be the book to do it.

Digger And Me is a touching story about a boy called James, who absolutely adores his dog Digger. His beloved furry friend has become even more important to him as his parents have separated, and James finds himself living between two homes where his parents both have new partners. As well as that, his last year in primary school has been off to a shaky start with a succession of different supply teachers.

The easy-going golden retriever has become the one constant in James’ life. He is the one James can depend on, tell all his worries to and the one that will be there for him no matter what. Until suddenly everything changes when James discovers a lump on Digger’s leg.

With his world full of uncertainty, Mr Froggett, the latest new teacher, shows James how to channel his emotions through poetry. After some initial scepticism, James finds his voice; able to share his thoughts and feelings that he finds too hard to share otherwise. Poetry soon becomes a source of comfort as he journeys through this challenging time in his life.

This is a book takes you on an emotional rollercoaster!

Being written from James’ point of view, you can’t help but feel the depths of emotions the character goes through as if you were there with him. It is a relatable story that I imagine will resonate with many children, as well as adults. Family separation is sadly quite common, yet this does not make it any less of a confusing and turbulent time for any child. It is often hard for children to find a way to deal with these types of situations, and to find a channel to express their feelings. This book takes a considerate and thoughtful approach to these sensitive issues; punctuated with poetry that draws attention to ways we can find to help us cope in times of need.

Zana Fraillon is a brilliant writer, and this story is no exception. Because it’s written in verse, the pages turn quickly, making it great for less confident readers who still want a story with emotional depth.

This is an emotional read that deals with animal cruelty and neglect. The main character is a dog who starts life in a puppy farm and experiences mistreatment at the hands of humans, as well as the loss of loved ones.

It captures the ‘voice’ of a dog perfectly. It doesn’t shy away from the harder parts of a dog’s life, but it ends on a note of hope. A really powerful addition to any class library.

Any child who has loved Phil Earle’s war stories or Sheila Burnford’s ‘The Incredible Journey’ will love ‘I am Rebel’.

Ross Montgomery tells the story of Tom, a restless and idealistic farm boy, who makes the dangerous decision to join a civil rebellion against an oppressive and heartless king, and Rebel, his brave and faithful dog. Rebel, determined to track Tom down, sets out on a journey to find him and makes friends along the way. What begins as one dog’s search for his boy turns into an epic animal odyssey.

Montgomery draws in all kinds of issues to his narrative; the desire of a young boy to rebel and follow the promise of a dream in defiance of his parents, his misguided trust in an unknown adult, and, more positively, the power of love and faithfulness in friendships and family.

It is often said of new releases that they read like classics – but this one truly does. Ross Montgomery’s vivid and emotive storytelling paired with simple language make it a must for school libraries. It’s timeless, touching, and thrilling throughout.