We are a family of dog lovers. We had dogs in my house growing up, and the dogs in our family are some of my daughter’s best friends. So we recognize the power of friendship between dogs and their owners. Dogs can provide comfort and love at the times that we need it most, and we can do the same for them. We were thrilled to have the opportunity to check out these sweet dog books for kids, and pair them with activities that celebrate the kindness of dogs, and the kindness we can show to them.

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Grammy’s Superhero Series: Adventures of a Seeing Eye Dog

Written by Wendy Kerr Sherid and illustrated by Janet M. Jones

Feather’s Playground Adventure
This book introduces the reader to Grammy, her seeing eye dog Feather, and her grandson Callen. On a trip to the playground, Callen meets some new friends and tells them about his Grammy’s dog and her superpowers. When Callen falls and gets hurt, Feather helps Grammy get to him quickly. Callen’s new friends are impressed by Feather’s skills, so Grammy and Callen share all the ways that Feather helps out. This is a great introduction to the ways that Seeing Eye Dogs help the visually impaired.

Feather’s Santa Train Surprise

Feather is back in this adorable Christmas adventure. Grammy, Callen, Feather, and their friends are heading on a train ride with a bunch of Seeing Eye puppies in training. The story is full of examples of how Seeing Eye Dogs help their owners, and gives readers a glimpse into how puppies are trained to become Seeing Eye Dogs.

Nap Time with Feather

Grammy and Callen are out running errands, and Feather is busy protecting Grammy and helping her to get around. She stops Grammy from walking in front of a car, helps her find the door handle, and helps her to cross the street safely. When they get home, Callen and Feather drift off to sleep and dream of being superheroes that save the day together. The story and some of the illustrations in this book are inspired by her grandson Callen, and introduce readers to the ways that Seeing Eye Dogs help their owners.

We’ll Get Through This Together!

Written by Ulrike Szalay and illustrated by Roberta Marovelli

This sweet book was written to support the Canines-N-Kids Foundation, whose goal is to end cancer for both kids and canines. The story is told from the perspective of a Labrador as he stays by the side of a sick child and comforts him as he deals with his experiences at the hospital. The text explores the feelings that children may have while entering the hospital and undergoing treatments. It also shows how a dog companion can help those children to feel strong and comforted. The illustrations show the strong connection between patient and canine pal, and reminds the reader that they are not alone. The back of the book also includes information about the foundation and the incredible work that they are doing.

Mr. Scruff

Written and illustrated by Simon James

This adorable book explores the idea that there is a perfect pet out there for everyone, even if it isn’t what you expect. The rhyming text shows all kinds of pet and owner pairings that seem to make perfect sense. Even their names rhyme! But poor Mr. Scruff doesn’t have the perfect owner. Until a young boy named Jim comes along. Jim and Mr. Scruff aren’t alike at all, but Jim knows that they are perfect for one another. The story has an interesting twist, and the illustrations are adorable, featuring sweet dogs and their loving relationships with their owners.

Boomer at Your Service

Written by Vanessa Keel and illustrated by Adriana Hernandez Bergstrom

In addition to being loving pets, dogs an also have important jobs. This story follows Boomer, a sweet dog who is about the graduate as a Service Dog when disaster strikes. As he causes chaos wherever he goes, Boomer starts to think that he won’t ever find the right place for him. When a chance encounter with a lost kitten leads him on a new mission, he finds exactly the right place for him. The story is accompanied by adorable illustrations showcasing the sweet puppy and his mission to help people.

Related Post: Learning about Service Dogs with Boomer 

Finding Local Dog Charities

There are tons of charities out there that help dogs of all kinds. From service dog training to rescue organizations and shelters, there are lots of ways that you can find to help dogs in your area. Shelters may need volunteers to walk dogs, or they may need donations of blankets, toys, or other items. Several members of my family volunteer for rescue organizations in our area, and I have taken my daughter to some of their events. She loves seeing all of the dogs, and it’s always a joy to see the right pet go to the right family. Research the types of organizations in your area that are looking for volunteers, and have a family discussion about how you want to help!

Related Post: How Your Dog Can Help Your Child with Reading

Dog Craft

Since these stories celebrate the loving relationship between dogs and humans, we decided to create this dog craft out of paper hearts. Since our dog is black and white, I decided to use those colors to create our dogs. But you can use whatever color paper you would like. I cut one large black square, three small black squares, and a medium sized white square. My daughter folded each square in half, and I showed her how to cut a half of a heart to make an even heart shape when it’s unfolded.

Turn the large heart upside down and glue two of the small hearts on either side of the point at the top. Glue the medium sized heart onto the center of the large upside down heart. Next, turn the last small heart upside down and glue it to the bottom point of the medium sized heart, to create the nose. Draw or attach eyes to the center of the face to complete your dog.

Related Post: Digging for Fun with a Dog Named Doug

Making Dog Treats

There are so many easy recipes out there for creating your own dog treats. As I have shared in the past, there are so many amazing lessons that kids can learn by working in the kitchen, and making dog treats can also teach them about the importance of giving. Whip up a batch of treats for your own pups, or find local shelters or organizations who accept them. You could even give them to dogs that belong to your neighbors or your friends. There are lots of ingredients that dogs cannot have. So make sure you do your research about the ingredients included in any recipe you choose to use.

What are your favorite dog books for kids? Share in the comments below!

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