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Sitting with his dog lamenting all the things that a rainy day stops him from doing, a boy’s clever mother draws a scene in which they all have fun in a puddle. The drawing becomes reality when they all go out to enjoy the weather. Childlike illustrations on open pages convey joy in the everyday activity.

A girl’s parents say she can get a do. She, of course, wants to find the perfect one which will be big, bigger … well, hairy, hairier … well … Ultimately, the perfect pup finds her for a happy ending. Exaggerated illustrations exude a lively humor in a satisfying story of finding the perfect companion.

These thorough explorations of what dogs see, how and why they behave, and more is sure to engage both canine aficionados as well as young scientists. The narrative is lucid, clear and appealing. Index, additional resources, and table of content complete the package.

The story of a small dog, the girl who loves her, and the girl’s struggling father come together in four acts. Brief text and detailed, black/white illustrations that appear as though in a spotlight effectively convey the daily intersections of these lives. Touching, dramatic, and gently humorous, Lucy — as the dog comes to be known — steals the show!

The day Frank went to the shelter, he got Lucky. From that day forward, boy and dog are inseparable. Together they learn science and entomology (Lucky finds burdock and ticks), reading (Lucky listens best), foreign language (Spanish and “quack”) and more. Academic subjects applied to the duo’s explorations are sure to add verve to classroom experiences revealed in detailed illustration and unassuming text. 

Each member of the Ellis family excels at something; that is, everyone except their dog, Ed. Ed’s confidence soars, however, when he’s recognized for being an excellent greeter, dropped-food-cleaner-upper, and more. Everyday activities are shown in a loving family with their insecure but loving mutt.

An imaginative girl with her trusty canine creates adventure all day by combining a variety of things. She adds water to dirt to create a huge mud puddle in which to frolic followed by “Hose + High Up = Shower.” At the end of the day, tuckered out girl + dog = best friends. Math equations and charming illustrations capture the joy of summer play.

A pudgy brown and white dog looks everywhere for a treat — from granny’s bedroom to the baby’s crib. Nothing … until the girls offer a special treat to the greedy canine. Cartoon illustrations and the word “treat” in different fonts in a comic book format move the slapstick humor along to a satisfying conclusion.

Lily wanted a dog but instead gets a tiny, fluffy kitty. Could that small feline cause all of the trouble and mess in Lily’s house? Lily thinks so, telling the poor thing that it’s a “naughty kitty!” But readers realize from the first end pages what Lily doesn’t see. Hilarious action in comic illustration let readers stay ahead of Lily and her ultimately lionized kitty.

Dog lovers — and those who aren’t — are sure to be touched by twelve short stories about shelter dogs that find just the right home. Written by various authors, each story is different but each will resonate with sophisticated readers (or listeners) in this varied short story collection.

A handsome feline named Mr. Wuffles is quite fussy about his toys. But he certainly enjoys a small roundish object he comes across unexpectedly. Surprises abound when readers see what that object holds and how — and from whom — the aliens contained in it find help. The three-time Caldecott medalist presents another fresh, nearly wordless tale.

The small, slightly frumpy but charming dog named Daisy is separated from her mistress when she chases her blue ball (acquired in A Ball for Daisy (opens in a new window)). Few words are needed to communicate their concern as they search for one another clearly seen in the expressive wash illustrations.

Lulu and her family, along with their dog Sam, rent a house by the sea for their family vacation. There they meet a stray mutt, the “dog from the sea” who becomes a hero to kite-flying Lulu and her cousin, Mellie. Eventually, the stray finds friendship and a home.

The traditional tale of a poor boy who finds fame and fortune with the help of a cat is presented here in straightforward language. Limited color and boldly lined illustrations highlight the tale’s drama and satisfying conclusion.

How a small white dog with black ears loses his orange ball to another hound but finds friendship instead comes to life through the author/illustrator’s signature illustrations. (2012 Caldecott Medal Winner)

No matter if Sherman is hiking, skating, taking a walk on a rainy day, or visiting grandma, he has just the right footwear. Readers are invited to choose along with the boy as his faithful dog watches. Simple illustrations use bright color and a clear layout help younger readers focus on the activity and the appropriate choice.

Mama, Carmelita, and their dog Manny greet people in their diverse neighborhood as they walk to see Abuela Rosa. Everyone says “hello” but in their own language — ranging from Italian and French to Hebrew and Arabic to slang American greetings. It is Manny’s “woof,” however, that is universal. Textured illustrations make Carmelita’s community familiar and accessible.

Happy puppies,/scrappy puppies … each one needs a name … and ideal names from A to Z are presented in 26 descriptive poems. Aspen is the color of leaves in fall, Melody likes to sing, and Zipper loves to run, zipping everywhere. These poems are wonderful to read aloud to one child or a whole group.

When a runt pig named Pink was pushed out by his litter mates, he was placed with a mother dog who was caring for puppies of her own. The story of Tink, the patient dachshund mom, and her pup’s acceptance of Pink is documented in easy text and full color photographs. It is based on one family’s experience on their West Virginia farm.

Mr. Mutt responds to canine concerns, writing practical advice letters. He shares his Dogwood home with The Queen, a tiara-wearing cat who adds her distinctly feline advice on her own embossed stationery. The result is wildly different perspectives, lots of laughs, and action suggested by the correspondences and extended by realistic, outrageous, and very funny illustrations.

A dog with no name and no home meets a boy with a ball but no dog. Boy and dog play in the park every day until one day the little dog — a small fleabag — helps the boy and finds a home. Loose lines and bright colors convey city activities and the affectionate relationship between child and hound and ultimately, a warm family.

What’s your favorite type of dog? Is it large? Small? Soft? With stripes? Even the youngest will be surprised that the narrator winds up being a feline that introduces the host of canines with distinctive personalities. Rhyming text is minimal but extended through humorous, expressive illustrations. 

There are three words that Martha — a dog who gained the ability to speak when she ate alphabet soup — absolutely hates. They are: No Dogs Allowed. So when Martha wins a weekend for her (human) family at the Do-Come-Inn, those words propel the Martha and the family into action with very funny results.

Mama has three kittens. Fluffy and Skinny do things when their mama does, but not Boris who marches to his beat. Readers will recognize themselves in this satisfying and brilliantly colored picture book.