The World According to Dog: Poems and Teen Voices by Joyce Sidman

I dream of deep-sea fishing: awake to find dog breathing in my face.

A collection of poetry by Joyce Sidman along with dog essays written by teens. Photos accompany the poems and essays and the author includes a page of dog terms.

I am a dog person so this was a hit with me! The poems and essays captured the dog's spirit. I burst out laughing numerous times. Poems were haiku and free verse. I didn't remember how to write a haiku until I saw the three lines on a page and fifth grade poetry came flooding back. Definitely a great gift for dog lovers. It would be a good book to introduce poetry to reluctant poetry readers, like myself.

Sidman, J. (2003). The world according to dog: Poems and teen voices. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.
ISBN: 0618174974
80 pages
Photographs by Doug Mindell

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum

Dorothy and Toto are swept up by a tornado and set down in the Land of Oz. So begins the tale of their journey back home to Kansas and the characters they encounter along the way.

It is hard to read this book without picturing Judy Garland as Dorothy and the Munchkins. I wonder if there are children who have not seen the movie? I wish that I had read the book before I saw the movie. It is a page turner with good descriptions. I would have liked to have been able to picture these characters like the author must have not Hollywood.

Baum, F. (1970). The wonderful wizard of oz. Racine, WI: Western Publishing Inc.
ISBN: 030701520X
Illustrated by Erika Markling

Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery by Deborah and James Howe

Harold, the family dog, tells the tale of the introduction of Bunnicula, a rabbit, to the family and the problems that ensue. Chester the cat is convinced that Bunnicula is a vampire and goes to great lengths to prove this to the family with hilarious results.

This book was great fun to read. The author captured the personality of the dogs and cats perfectly. The dialogue is just what I imagine my cat or dog thinking sometimes. The chapters were short, 8-10 pages, and each chapter told of an event that concluded with the chapter end. Few illustrations were used but the story was engaging enough to keep a child interested. The humor was written to appeal to children and adults. I laughed out loud at times while reading the story especially when Chester dons the towel like a cape. A good choice for a child to move to a new level of reading.

Howe, D. and Howe, J. (1979). Bunnicula: A rabbit-tale of mystery. New York, NY: Avon Books.
ISBN: 0380510944
Illustrated by Alan Daniel

Nate the Great and the Pillowcase by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and Rosalind Weinman

In the middle of the night, Nate the Great is called upon to solve the case of the missing pillowcase so Rosamond's cat, Big Rex, can fall asleep. After stopping at the diner, it is his dog, Sludge, who helps solve the case.

A mystery story written humorously and accompanied by simple illustrations that aid in solving the case alongside Nate the Great. The pages are covered mostly in text with simple sentences and mostly simple, known words. It is written for level two readers. Are milk bottles familiar to kids these days?

Sharmat, M. W. and Weinman, R. (1993). Nate the great and the pillowcase. New York, NY: Delacorte Press.
ISBN: 038531051X
Illustrated by Marc Simont

That New Animal by Emily Jenkins

Two dogs have to adapt to the introduction of a new baby in the household. At first suspicious and unhappy, they surprise themselves when grandpa comes to visit.

An excellent book that could be used to explain the new baby concept to an older sibling or the importance of pet's roles in the household. The illustrations are amusing and colorful.

Jenkins, E. (2005). That new animal. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
ISBN: 0374374430
Illustrated by Pierre Pratt

Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion

Harry dislikes taking a bath so he hides the scrubbing brush and runs off. He plays and enjoys the day becoming dirtier and in the end must insist on a bath. The illustrations are filled with detail following the story.

A great story applicable to younger children not liking bathing and getting dirty. Children also can recognize the idea of running off and exploring on their own without mom and dad around. The illustrator captured dog movements and expressions.

Zion, G. (1956). Harry the dirty dog. New York, NY: Harper and Row.
ISBN: none listed
Illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham

Rickie & Henri by Jane Goodall

Rickie, an orphaned chimpanzee, rescued from a Congolese market by a man who brings her home and Rickie struggles to adapt to this very different world. She learns to love the man and Henri, the dog. As she grows too large, she is taken to a chimpanzee sanctuary. Illustrations are beautifully done and can really feel Rickie's emotions throughout the story.

I am a great admirer of Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall so seeing Jane's name on this book I immediately picked it up. Rickie's mother is killed in front of her and Rickie is shot in the process. I was surprised at that in a picture book designed for easy readers. American children might be upset by this turn of events depending on how protective their parents are in reading materials. Overall, Rickie's story is too important to not tell. Perhaps educating children early will help instill a value for animals/conservation early on. Jane also writes a postscript describing Rickie's status today and information on the chimpanzee sanctuary.

Goodall, J. (2004). Rickie and henri. New York, NY: Penguin Young Readers Group.
ISBN: 069840002X
Illustrated by Alan Marks

Bad Dog, Marley by John Grogan

The story of a yellow labrador puppy, Marley, adapting to his new home with a few bumps along the way.

I had a yellow lab puppy, Jake, and we had a similar adapting problems. The story is true to my experience. The illustrations are great fun for children to look at especially if they have a dog at home.

Grogan, J. (2007). Bad dog, marley! New York: NY, Harper Collins Publishers
ISBN: 9780061171147
Illustrated by Richard Cowdrey

Dog's Colorful Day: A Messy Story about Colors and Counting by Emma Dodd

A dog's adventurous day is a demonstration of colors and counting for young children.

The topic of this book coupled with the illustrations is an enjoyable book to read aloud with children. The colors are bright and dogs are a topic most everyone relates. The explanatory words (ie squish) are fun to say and encourage participation.

Dodd, E. (2001). Dog's colorful day: A messy story about colors and counting. New York, NY: Dutton Children's Books.
ISBN: 0525465286
Illustrated by author.