Today is National Dog Day! From the tiniest of Chihuahuas to the biggest of Great Danes, we here at Scholastic love our dogs. Don’t fret if you don’t have a furry one to call your own, because we’ve got a great selection of new books that have plenty of dogs to love:
I Love My Puppy (Love Meez) by Caroline Jayne Church (Ages 2–4): Caroline Jayne Church’s new Love Meez series asks, “What do you love most about your puppy?” With touch-and-feels on every page, little ones will follow along with adorable preschooler Mia as she shows just what makes her puppy so special!
Counting Dogs by Eric Barclay (Ages 3–5): In Counting Dogs, follow 10 adorable dogs as they learn to count from 1-10 using the animals around their neighborhood. A simple counting story brilliantly packaged in a unique, hands-on storybox format with die-cut, tabbed board pages that will keep kids learning and having fun!
A Handful of Stars by Cynthia Lord (Ages 8–12): In A Handful of Stars, Lily’s blind dog, Lucky, slips his collar and runs away across the wide-open blueberry barrens of eastern Maine, and Salma Santiago manages to catch him. Salma, the daughter of migrant workers, is in the small town with her family for the blueberry-picking season. After their initial chance meeting, Salma and Lily bond over painting bee boxes for Lily’s grandfather. But when Salma decides to run in the upcoming Blueberry Queen pageant, Salma and Lily’s friendship transforms. Should an outsider like Salma really participate in the pageant—and possibly win? As the summer progresses, they’ll have to face some tough truths about friendship, migrant life and belonging.
Ranger in Time series by Kate Messner, Illustrated by Kelley McMorris (Ages 7–10): Ranger in Time stars Ranger, a time-traveling search-and-rescue golden retriever, who has a nose for trouble and always saves the day! This action-packed series will take you through the dangers of the Oregon Trail, the excitement of Ancient Rome, and the secret trails of the Underground Railroad.
Woof by Spencer Quinn (Ages 8–12): Woof pairs Bowser, a dog detective on the loose, with an 11-year-old girl, Birdie. Bowser and Birdie live on the Louisiana coast with Birdie’s Grammy. When a prize stuffed marlin is stolen from Grammy’s bait and tackle shop, Birdie and Bowser decide to take on the case. But what looks like a straightforward break-in soon becomes as tangled as a tourist’s fishing line. Was Grammy hiding a treasure map in the marlin? What’s up with Old Man Straker, owner of a rival tackle shop, and his juvenile delinquent son? And most sinister of all, why does it suddenly look as if someone wants to harm Birdie?
OOM readers, what are some of your favorite “dog-themed” books?
- Brooke Shearouse
