Since October is national Adopt a Shelter Dog month, I thought I’d use the opportunity to share some of my favorite dog books. I’m a dog person. I love dogs. And I have a pretty tall stack of dog books in my own personal library. So, just for fun, I’d like to include a few of them in today’s blog post.

Some of these are old. Some are hot off the press. A couple of them are books I’ve written or helped write. Some are fiction. Others are nonfiction. But all of them are about dogs.

Among the oldest is a middle grade classic—Ribsy. Written by the incomparable Beverly Cleary, Ribsy has stood the test of time. When Ribsy gets into the wrong car at the shopping mall, his life takes a dramatic turn. In his quest to get home to his beloved Henry Huggins, Ribsy encounters all sorts of people and adventures. This one is great for reading on a rainy day or just one chapter at a time as a read aloud.

In the beginning reader category, I’ve always loved Cynthia Rylant’s Henry and Mudge series. Henry and Mudge: The First Book tells how Henry chose Mudge as a tiny puppy who grew and grew and grew to be three feet tall and one hundred eighty pounds. The bond between boy and dog is showcased in all of the Henry and Mudge stories and are just perfect for kids learning to read independently.

For a browseable nonfiction, I love Annette Whipple’s Woof! The Truth About Dogs. This beautiful book is filled with fascinating facts about dogs and has a full-sized poster hidden in the cover. That bashed in nose and those soulful eyes on the front are adorable, too.

A couple of “based on a true story” options include Where’d My Jo Go? by my friend Jill Esbaum and Seaman’s Journal: On the Trail with Lewis and Clark by Patricia Reeder Eubank. When Big Al gets left at a rest stop by accident, he has a scary time waiting for his owner, Jo, to come back. When Jo realizes he’s missing, she has a few hours of panic before the two are finally reunited. And told from the viewpoint of a Newfoundland named Seaman, Seaman’s Journal gives an excellent overview of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Another fact heavy selection is We Really, Really Want a Dog! by Susan Holt Kralovansky, a former elementary librarian. Although the story is fiction, it’s loaded with facts about caring for a dog and what to expect when acquiring a dog from a shelter. It’s a great book to read if you and your family are planning to adopt.

Two of my favorite “just for fun” titles include Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School and Detective LaRue: Letters from the Investigation by Mark Teague. Both books are letters ostensibly written by Ike, the canine companion of Gertrude R. LaRue. Both books contain beautiful illustrations by Teague in full color and black and white. The illustrations show two completely different stories with assurances from Ike that his is the real truth.

A couple of dog books that are useful as family resources include one of my own and one by Brian Lies. The Rough Patch by Brian Lies is about grief in the aftermath of losing a pet. It’s a sweet and sensitive book with a hopeful ending. The Dog That Gave My Brother Words (by yours truly) is an autism awareness book about a young boy on the autism spectrum who is nonverbal and says his first words upon receiving his service dog. The back matter contains additional information about autism and service dogs.

My friend and writing colleague Michelle Medlock Adams is a dog lover and Dachshund owner, so it’s no surprise that two of her books are about Dachshunds. Dachshund Through the Snow and Dachshund Dash both feature a teeny, little Dachshund named Crosby. In his first adventure Crosby helps save Christmas by burrowing to the North Pole to alert Rudolph that Santa needs him. Then, after a move to Texas, Crosby learns an important lesson in friendship while participating in a race. Both books are about doing your best and being a friend to others.

And, finally, Michelle and I teamed up a few years ago to do a dog themed devotional. Originally released during Covid, there were some issues with production. Thankfully, our publisher has given us a second chance, and Iron Stream Media released an updated and revised edition of the book last month. Paws-itive Inspirations: 90 Devotions for Kids and Dog Lovers is part reference and part devotional. Each spread contains facts about a specific breed and a biblical connection in a short devotional. It’s one the whole family can enjoy.

All the books mentioned here are still in print and are available from your favorite retailer. With them, you can sit, stay, and enjoy hours of reading. I hope you do.

Wendy Hinote Lanier is a former elementary teacher, a certified public speaker, and the award-winning author of more than 50 books for children on topics related to science, technology, social studies, and the arts including the Christopher Award winning The Dog That Gave My Brother Words and the Moonbeam Gold Medal and Selah Award winning Too Many Pigs in the Pool.

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