We are definitely dog lovers in our family. Little Bookworm loves reading to our dog, so we love finding new kid’s books featuring dogs and puppies. So we are thrilled to share this list of new children’s books about dogs ranging from board books and picture books to chapter books.
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Little Pups in Big Trucks
Written by Bob Shea and illustrated by Brian Won
This adorable board book follows a team of cute puppies as they learn to drive their big trucks in puppy school. The simple text highlights the colors of the different trucks with colorful fonts, while the story shows the pups working together to problem solve and help their teacher. Kids will love cheering on the cute puppies driving big, colorful trucks.
This Pup is Stuck!
Written by Bob Shea and Brian Won
This adorable board book follows a group of little pups as they work together on their colorful construction vehicles to build a swimming pool. The text highlights the bright colors of the different vehicles, while the story explores teamwork and problem solving as the little puppies work together to save their friend. This is perfect for little kids who love dogs and big trucks!
Check out these printable dog bookmarks to color!
Don’t Eat Bees
Written by Mike Boldt
This hilarious book shares the advice of a 7 year old dog named Chip. He is convinced that he is a very smart dog, and he wants to share his thoughts with the reader. The very simple text shares his thoughts on what dogs should and should not eat. Kids will love the different way the dog looks at life, and the funny illustrations showing him getting into trouble.
Hot Dog
Written by Doug Salati
This poetic story follows a dog who is overwhelmed with the heat of summer and the noises and crowds in the city. So his owner decides to take him on a little retreat to the ocean. The simple text uses very few words per page. The illustrations do a remarkable job of showing the chaotic stress of the city in the summer and the peaceful calm of the oceanfront. Kids will recognize the strong emotions of the dog, and will want to join him and his owner on the beautiful beach.
Related Post: Digging for Fun with Doug the Dog
Every Dog in the Neighborhood
Written by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Matthew Cordell
This sweet book tells the story of a young boy named Louis and his grandmother as they decide to go around the neighborhood and count all of the dogs who live there. As they visit each house, they learn a lot about their neighbors and the dogs who live with them. Throughout the book, the reader also learns about the importance of being a good citizen and doing your civic duty, as Louis and his grandmother take on issues they see around them.
Is This Your Class Pet?
Written by Troy Cummings
This sequel to Can I Be Your Dog? follows Arfy, a library helper dog at the local school. When he is followed home by a tiny turtle, he does his best to find out who he belongs to. The text in the book is made up of letters sent back and forth between Arfy and the people at school. The vibrantly colored illustrations feature the adorable dog and turtle as they work together to get him home. The back of the book includes a note with lots of interesting facts about turtles.
SumoPuppy
Written by David Biedrzycki
SumoKitty is a cat who lives with a sumo wrestling champion. As his friend and owner has gotten older, he decides he wants to pass on his wisdom to others instead of still fighting. So SumoKitty decides to do the same. But when a puppy comes to the training center, he faces a challenge in training this out of control puppy. The text is full of Japanese vocabulary, helpfully defined in the illustrations. Kids will love the funny illustrations, especially as the joyful puppy wreaks havoc on the quiet life at the training center.
Related Post: Dog Books for Kids
Duck, Duck, Dad?
Written by Lorna Scobie
This funny story follows Ralph the dog as he stumbles across a lost egg and finds himself followed by a determined little duckling. Soon he is surrounded by ducklings wanting his attention. As he struggles to care for all of the ducklings, he faces issues that all parents face, in a hilarious fashion. Kids will love watching the dog try to parent, and will enjoy the sweet ending that celebrates all kinds of families.
Cookie
Written by Isabelle Duff and Susannah Crispe
This sweet story, told from the perspective of Cookie the dog, follows a little girl and her dog as they help each other through the ups and downs of life. The story celebrates the love between pet and child, and shares how that love can help lift us up on the darkest days. Throughout the story, Girl struggles with days of depression and anxiety, but through it all, Cookie can make her smile. Kids will love the adorable writing style in Cookie’s voice, while adults will appreciate the gentle introduction to childhood depression, anxiety, and empathy.
The Longest Letsgoboy
Written by Derick Wilder and illustrated by Catia Chien
This book touches on the heartbreaking loss of a pet in a different way. The story follows Fireball the dog as he goes out on one last walk with his little girl before peacefully passing on. The text uses lots of made up words to tell the story in the voice of the dog, and touches on the dog’s love for his little girl. The beautiful illustrations use large swaths of color, becoming increasingly abstract as the dog passes on.
Related Post: New Children’s Books about Grief
Bug on the Rug
Written by Sophia Gholz and illustrated by Susan Batori
Pug is happily laying on his rug when Bug comes along and takes up a spot on the rug as well. As the two engage in an escalating war over the rug, their antics get bigger and crazier until they are stopped by Slug. The rhyming text and silly illustrations make this a fun one to read aloud, and kids will learn an important lesson about forgiveness and finding common ground.
I’m Not Missing
Written by Kashelle Gourley and illustrated by Skylar Hogan
In this funny book, one dog decides that he has had enough of life as an indoor dog. He shares the stresses he faced trying to be a good boy all the time, and explains why he ran away. But when he sees his owner walking around town with another dog, he realizes how good he had it and how much he misses her. Kids will love the stubborn and gruff dog and the hilarious illustrations, especially when he is wearing silly costumes or a simple disguise.
The Puppy Problem
Written by Laura James and illustrated by Charlie Adler
This illustrated chapter book is the first in a series following a group of neighborhood dogs who start a newspaper. In this first book, Gizmo the dog and his journalist owner move to the village of Puddle. As a city dog, Gizmo doesn’t know what to do with life outside the city. When his new friend Jilly, the dog next door, learns that her puppies are going to be adopted by new owners who live far away, they decide to work together to create a newspaper to get the puppies adopted a little closer to home. Kids will love this imaginative glimpse into what dogs may get into when their owners aren’t paying attention.
The Underdogs
Written by Tracey West and illustrated by Kyla May
In this illustrated chapter book, a team of underdogs work together to train for the K-9 exams in hopes of being awarded Best in Show. The cute story of determination, teamwork, and perseverance is paired with adorable cartoon illustrations. Kids will love cheering on the underdogs as they face their fears and work together, as well as the funny illustrations of the cute puppies.
PAWS: Gabby Gets it Together
Written by Michele Assarasakorn and Nathan Fairbairn
This graphic novel follows Gabby, Priya, and Mindy, a group of best friends who love animals. None of them can have pets. So they decide to become afterschool dog walkers in order to get some time with furry friends. But they soon find that running a business is hard work, especially with friends who are so different. This is a great story for young animal lovers, and also teaches important lessons about teamwork, problem solving, and entrepreneurship.
Related Post: Animals on a Mission: Chapter Books for Kids
Secondhand Dogs
Written by Carolyn Crimi
Miss Lottie loves to rescue animals in need, and the animals she has brought into her home have become a family. When a new dog comes into the home, the pack’s relationships start to become a bit strained. And they become even more fractured when the new dog convinces one of them to leave and go on an impossible journey. Told from the perspectives of each of the animals, and Miss Lottie herself, the story shares how animals and humans can sometimes save one another, and how important empathy can be.
Life in the Doghouse: Elmer and the Talent Show
Written by Danny Robertshaw and Ron Danta
This series of chapter books is inspired by real rescue dogs from the documentary Life in the Doghouse. In this story Elmer the long-haired dachshund is really excited to join the Cruz family and help their shy son Benny to feel happy in his new home. When they are enrolled in a dog training course together, they have to work together to prepare for the talent show at the end. This is an inspirational story that will have kids cheering along with the two main characters as they face their fears.
Related Post: Early Chapter Books for Kids
Life in the Doghouse: Moose and the Smelly Sneakers
Written by Danny Robertshaw and Ron Danta
In this sweet story, a young puppy named Moose joins a new family. He loves investigating all of the new smells in his family’s house. But he has trouble keeping track of all their rules. When his owner Rosa is tasked with training him and improving her grade in science, she comes up with a plan to solve both problems at the same time. Based on a real dog from Danny & Ron’s rescue, this story will inspire animal lovers of all ages.
Life in the Doghouse: Millie, Daisy and the Scary Storm
Written by Danny Robertshaw and Ron Danta
This heartwarming story follows Millie and Daisy, two bonded dogs who were separated from their family during Hurricane Katrina. As a big adoption event comes up at Danny & Ron’s rescue, the two have totally different feelings about the event. While Millie is excited at the prospect of finding a new home, Daisy is comfortable at the rescue and is worried about the future. Will these two pups find a new home together?
What are your favorite new children’s books about dogs? Share in the comments below!
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