It is often said that dog is man’s best friend. But I’m pretty sure the truth is that a dog is a child’s best friend. Kids and dogs go together like peanut butter and jelly. Little Bookworm has a special connection with our dog, and with every other dog we know. To celebrate that connection, we wanted to share our favorite new dog books for kids!

Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post. I received copies of these books in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

With You!

Written by Michelle Lopez Clark and illustrated by Nidhom

This beautiful book perfectly captures the loving relationship between child and dog. The simple rhyming text explores all of the things that kids get from the relationship. These include a best friend, a sense of security, and a smile when it’s needed. The bright and colorful illustrations perfectly capture the joy and love between kids and dogs, featuring a wide range of diverse children and breeds. Kids will love the adorable adventures of the dog and human pairs in the book, and the flowing prose makes it perfect for reading aloud. Fair warning though, you will want to get a dog after reading it!

Can I Sit With You?

Written and illustrated by Sarah Jacoby

This sweet book about devotion and love follows a lonely young girl and a small dog who quickly becomes attached to her. Through lyrical, descriptive text and gentle watercolor and pastel illustrations, the story explores the growing relationship between the two, and how their love will endure even when they are apart. This is not only a beautiful story about a relationship between a girl and a dog, but the same message can be shared between parent and child.

Related Post: Dogs Books and Activities for Kids

Dudley’s Day at Home

Written by Karen Kaufman Orloff and illustrated by Renee Andriani

In this adorable book, a young boy named Sam asks his mother what their dog Dudley does at home all day. As they go about their daily errands, they imagine all the fun that he is probably having on his own. While their conversation is fairly ordinary, listing things like napping and playing, the illustrations take their words one step further. They show Dudley the dog doing all kinds of crazy and fun things, which will certainly have kids laughing out loud. The end of the book has a funny twist, and a sweet ending. Kids and parents alike will appreciate the humor and imagination in this book, and it may get them thinking about what their own dogs do at home.

Dogs Love to Ride!

Written and illustrated by Olga and Aleksey Ivanov

Some dogs just love car rides, and this book celebrates that love through a fun rhyming text and colorful illustrations. The peppy text shares the voices of the many dogs in the book. It highlights their love of driving with their owners in all kinds of vehicles. The bright and bold illustrations feature different breeds and vehicles, from a K9 dog in a police SUV and a Dalmatian in a fire truck, to a poodle in a convertible and a band of dogs in a family van. In the end, all of the different dogs come together at the dog park, showing that they all have a lot in common,  no matter their differences. Kids will love the funny illustrations, and will recognize the joy in each image.

Everything is Mine!

Written and illustrated by Andrea D’Aquino

This funny book introduces readers to a dog named Marcello Von Cauliflower Bonaparte Jackson, and his need to claim everything as his own. Throughout the book, he claims all kinds of things as his own. From slippers and acorns, to the park, and even the city, he believes that everything belongs to him. But when he takes his owner’s homework, the little boy offers him a trade. Marcello decides that their friendship is more important than having everything else. The collage style illustrations are full of different patterns, textures, and styles, giving the whole book a scrapbook feel, as if Marcello is actually gathering things for his collection.

Saving Stella

Written by Bassel Abou Fakher and Deborah Blumenthal and illustrated by Nadine Kaadan

This incredible true story shares the harrowing escape of a dog and his owner from the war in Syria. Bassel is a musician who lived in Syria and decided he needed to escape the fighting. He made his way to Lebanon where he was taken in by a family. But soon, he decided to hatch a plan to save his dog Stella, and bring her to their new home. The story shares a lot of frightening and sad details about the author’s journey, and the fear that he and Stella both experienced. And the illustrations are full of dark colors, emphasizing the darkness they were escaping. The back of the book includes a note from Bassel providing an update on Stella and their life now. There is also a note from the illustrator, and more information on the war in Syria.

Related Post: Children’s Books about Refugees & Immigration

Becky and Kaia’s New Addition: A Tale of Penn State Children’s Hospital

Written by Lindsay C. Barry and illustrated by Susan Szecsi

This new book from one of our favorite authors introduces readers to the emotional support Golden Retrievers at Penn State Hospital. Becky and Kaia are support dogs who help the patients at Penn State Hospital, and they love their work. In addition to sharing their story, the book also features stories from real patients at the hospital, brought to life through the beautiful story and illustrations. A portion of the proceeds from each book sale go towards the Children’s Hospital, meaning this book will help those who need it!

Pet That Dog!

Written by Gideon Kidd and Rachel Braunigan and illustrated by Susann Hoffmann

This colorful handbook was written by the 11 year old behind the Twitter account I’ve Pet That Dog, and his mother. The book is bursting with important information for kids who are interested in dogs. From how to approach a dog and pet it, to how to care for a dog of your own, there are lots of great tips in this easy to read book.

I love that the book starts with an explanation that kids should ask a pet’s caregiver before approaching it, because this is a crucial behavior that is often overlooked. The font is large and the text is broken up into sections, making it easy for kids to find information. The brightly colored pages and adorable illustrations make it engaging and interesting to look through. The back of the book also includes a personality quiz to find out what kind of dog you are, and a dog tracker to help you keep a tally of dogs that you have met.

Poojo’s Got Wheels

Written and illustrated by Charrow

This adorable book introduces the reader to Poojo, a cute and determined little dog who was born without back legs. Poojo has wheels to help him get around, so he is capable of doing anything. The simple text is paired with sweet illustrations showing the happy and determined dog doing tricks, running around the yard, and playing with his friends. When he gets a flat tire, he has to get creative. This story about determination and problem solving is inspiring, and kids will adore the illustrations of the adorable Poojo.

Check out these printable dog bookmarks to color!

Tails From the Animal Shelter

Written by Stephanie Shaw and illustrated by Liza Woodruff

This introduction to shelter animals teaches kids about shelters and Human Societies through informative text, short poems, and adorable illustrations. The book starts by teaching kids about shelters and how animals find their way there. It then introduces kids to different types of animals that can be found in shelters, including puppies, cats, snakes, pigs, handicapped animals, and senior animals. Each animal is introduced with a cute poem and colorful illustrations, as well as paragraphs full of facts about these kinds of animals and their experiences in shelters. The back of the book includes more information on shelters, and how readers can get involved and help.

Helper Hounds

Written by Caryn Rivadeneira and illustrated by Priscilla Alpaugh

This series of chapter books introduces kids to a group of dogs known as Helper Hounds. Each book focuses on a different dog and it’s efforts to help a different person with an emotional situation. The stories are told from the point of view of the dogs, and they share their backgrounds, how they became Helper Hounds, and how they are able to help people. The illustrations accompanying the stories are sweet, showing the emotional connection between the dogs and the people they are helping. We loved learning about different breeds in these books, and developing some strategies for handling big emotions too!

Related Post: Early Chapter Books for Kids

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

More Posts You May Enjoy: