Hunky Dory Ate It 

by Katie Evans

Summary: Spunky Hunky Dory tries to eat everything in sight and winds up a sick puppy at the vet's.

This is a humorous story in rhyme that is sure to be enjoyed by young children. This book reminds me of the Marley series, although, it was published long before those books.

Interest Level: ages 2-4

Reading Level: grade 2

(Cover image not available)

Amazing True Stories About Animals

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Waiting for the Magic
by Patricia MacLachlan

Summary: When Papa goes away for a little while, his family tries to cope with the separation by adopting four dogs and a cat.          

This chapter book will be most enjoyed by advance primary school readers. It may be enjoyed by older elementary school students, especially those who love cats and dogs.

Interest Level: grade k-6
Reading Level: grade 3



Happy Birthday, Hamster

by Cynthia Lord

Summary: Follows Hamster and his friend Dog as they prepare for a birthday party.

This is an excellent interactive one-on-one read with a young child. As with any picture book, the reader may engage the child by asking what is happening in the illustrations and what he/she thinks will happen next. The pages contain pictures with increasingly obvious clues for what will happen at the end of the story. The text allows for a quick re-read in which a reader may ask a child how the pictures relate to the ending.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 1

If You Give a Dog a Donut

by Laura Numeroff

Summary: Chaos might ensue if you were to give a dog a donut.

From the author of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, and many other title’s beginning with “If you give a,” this story continues the formulaic format of the series. Parents may tire of the same premise, but young children enjoy consistency and predictability. The dog desires to do things that other lead animals in the “If you give a” series have not done.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

 

Eli, No! 

by Katie Kirk

Summary: Eli is an adorable dog who likes to get into trouble, and when he eats too much, chases squirrels, or hogs the bed, his family yells, "Eli, no!"

The text of this story is very similar to David Shannon’s No, David! and Good Boy, Fergus. Still, it is sure to be enjoyed by young children and dog lovers. 

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 1

Bunnicula: A Rabbit-tale of Mystery

by Deborah Howe

Summary: Though scoffed at by Harold the dog, Chester the cat tries to warn his human family that their foundling baby bunny must be a vampire.

This is a humorous tale with a ridiculous, though enjoyable, plot. I have recommended this book to older readers on a low reading level. They have told me that they enjoyed it. There are several other Bunnicula books to try if you like this first told tale.

Interest Level: grades k-6
Reading Level: Grade 5

Apple Pie ABC

by Alison Murray

Summary: A story about a girl baking an apple pie and a puppy observing the activities teaches the letters of the alphabet.

This a cute book that approaches teaching letters of the alphabet in way I have not seen before. The text includes large letters, a to z, in order. Underneath the large letter is a word or phrase that begins with that letter (except x, that is the second letter in the word). The words and phrases tell a story starring a dog who looks a lot like Charles M. Schulz’s Snoopy, whom I love; but I wish the illustrator was more creative in depicting this character.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 1

My Dog, My Cat

by Ashlee Fletcher

Summary: A child points out the differences between a dog and a cat, but finds something they have in common, as well.

This book with minimal text is fantastic for reading one-on-one to young children. The story is ideal for teaching children opposites. The cat and dog often do opposite activities. For example, one will go up and one will go down.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 1

Tucker: Little Dog Lost and Found

by Danny Sit

Summary: Tucker the Jack Russell terrier packs his bags and takes the train to the beach for an adventure, but after a fun day he discovers that he does not know how to get home.

This is an adorable book that will be enjoyed by any dog lover! This book contains photographs that I especially appreciated as a Long Islander.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

Babe: The Gallant Pig

by Dick King-Smith

Summary: A piglet destined for eventual butchering arrives at the farmyard, is adopted by an old sheep dog, and discovers a special secret to success.

Having seen the adorable movie, Babe more times than I should admit, I decided to read this book when I came across it. It is short, humorous, and very enjoyable. I recommend it especially to any pig lovers, dog lovers, or lovers of any farm animals at all. I understand that Dick King-Smith has written other animal stories, and that they were incorporated into the movie Babe.

Interest Level: grades k-6
Reading Level: grade 6

Rrralph

by Lois Ehlert

Summary; The narrator describes discovering how Ralph the dog can talk, appropriately saying words such as "roof," "rough," "bark," and "wolf."

This is a short, humorous story. It is excellent to read aloud to preschoolers or for primary age children to read to themselves. The illustrations are in an interesting collage format. For example, objects, such as a piece of a soda can, are incorporated into the characters.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 1

Camp K-9

by Mary Ann Rodman

Summary: Roxie is keeping a secret from her fellow campers--a blankie that she keeps hidden but wants desperately every time Lacy, a big, mean poodle, causes trouble.
This book can be used to discuss many things including bullying and being oneself. I do not recommend reading this to younger children only because of its’ length. The story itself is appropriate for younger children.

Interest Level: grades k-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Zoomer's Summer Snowstorm

by Ned Young

Summary: When a young dog's snow-cone machine fills the backyard with snow, his imagination runs wild and turns a hot summer day into a cold wintry one.

This is an entertaining book for a hot summer day. During the winter, teachers or parents can freeze snow, and play with the snow after this read. This is a fantastic idea for a sensory time with young children or students with autism.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 5

My Dog Jack is Fat

 by Eve Bunting

Summary: Carson does his best to help his dog, Jack, lose weight, with unexpected results.

Adults should proceed with caution if they choose to read this book. Parents may read this to a child to introduce them to what they can do to lose weight. Personally, I do not like the use of the word fat, and would definitely not use this with more than one child. However, children may enjoy the humorous aspects of this story.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

Scritch-Scratch a Perfect Match

by Kimberly Marcus

Summary: When a flea lands on a stray dog, it starts a chain of events that ends happily when the dog is adopted by a pet-loving man.

This comical tale is sure to entertain young children.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

 

Painter and Ugly

by Robert J. Blake

Summary: Painter and Ugly, two sled dogs who are inseparable best friends, are put on different teams for the Junior Iditarod, but they manage to find their way back to one another for the big race.

This is a touching story about friendship. I am a huge dog lover and I would believe this story could be true if it did not mention that the two dogs share a food bowl. My three docile labs will only become aggressive about that. The book includes a note from the author about how and why the book was written.

Interest Level: grades k-6
Reading Level: grade 3

Tarra and Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends

by Carol Buckley

Summary: Presents the story of the unusual friendship between Tarra, a retired circus elephant, and Bella, a stray dog, who are both cared for at the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee.

This story is AMAZING. I saw a recorded news segment on youtube long before the book came out. When I saw it in a book magazine, I insisted that my library purchase several copies. I recommend the youtube video as well. I love to read, but the elephant and dog in action is something else. If you enjoy this book, try Owen and Mzee books.

Interest Level: grades K-6
Reading Level: grade 3

Dog in Boots

Dog in Boots

by Greg Gormley

Summary: After reading "Puss in Boots," an adventurous dog sets out to find the perfect pair of shoes to suit his every need.

This is a humorous tale that is wonderful for discussing how sometimes the things that we need the most, are the things we already have!

Interest Level: ages 2- grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

Secret River

 

 

Secret River

 by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

Summary: Young Calpurnia takes her dog, Buggy-horse, and follows her nose to a secret river in a Florida forest. There she catches enough fresh fish to feed her hungry neighbors, even after giving some to the forest creatures she meets on the way home.

This new book contains beautiful, vivid illustrations added to a previously published story. This tale is most appropriate for older readers. The rich text can be used to discuss several life concepts. If read as a class, teachers can discuss the economy in this community and today’s economy on a basic level.

Interest Level: grade  4-6
Reading Level: grade 3