My Dog

8/21/2018

For those who have a loyal loving canine companion. For those who remember a dog who brought joy and contentment during a difficult time. For those who long for a dog but are unable to have a special pet of one’s own. For the vast community of dog lovers.
Two books to remind you of just why you love your dog.

Good Dog by Cori Doerrfeld

Who can resist this little charmer? Meet a spotted puppy, wandering alone through the streets. A young girl, securely strapped in the passenger seat of her mother's bicycle, waves to the dog. It is a mutual attraction. The determined little pup follows the youngster and her teddy bear, as the bicycle weaves its way around the city.

In the course of her travels, her beloved teddy bear gets left behind. It's up to the dog to rescue the soft-sided little plaything and return it to its rightful owner. Sweet story, right? But here's the interesting twist. The entire tale is told with only two words per page. The text consists of the word dog, preceded by an adjective. Initial pages set the scene. "Stray dog.” “Lost dog." "Lonely dog." Progressively, the dog becomes "Hopeful dog.” and "Smart dog." Eventually the canine earns the title "Rescue dog. “and the ultimate appellation "Good dog."

Cori Doerrfeld's full-page illustrations enhance the story, offering heart-warming visual insights. For example: I love the "Thoughtful dog." who constructions a shelter from a discarded pizza box to protect the tiny stuffed bear.

The brilliance of this book is in the clever use of adjectives to describe the dog while simultaneously advancing the storyline. Winsome illustrations bring warmth and tenderness to every page. Good Dog is brimming with puppy love.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: August 7, 2018 Publisher: HarperCollins ISBN: 978-0062662866

My Dog Laughs by Rachel Isadora

It begins with Rachel Isadora’s endpapers which showcase a variety of canine breeds. It's fun to linger here, identifying the various types of dogs.
A page turn leads to the title image of one cute girl and her adorable dog. Their postures and facial expressions are warm and welcoming. This duo is the perfect introduction to the joy of pet ownership.

The book is divided into six sections: I Meet My Dog, Getting to Know My Dog, I Train My Dog, Going Out With My Dog, My Dog Plays, and I Love My Dog. Within each section, readers meet a variety of dogs and their owners. While the children, canines, personalities, and circumstances vary, the bond between animal and child shines through in every image. Isadora gives each dog a distinct personality. The facial expressions of both pet and owners are priceless.

My Dog Laughs captures the close and personal relationship between dog and owner. At the same time, Isadora conveys the universal experience of sharing one's life with a dog. Dog lovers know this. That's the heart of this book.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: August 21, 2018 Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books ISBN: 978-0399173851

Opportunities for Dog Lovers

Consider opportunities to assist animal shelters by organizing a pet supplies drive. Contact local organizations including food banks and animal shelters such as Humane Society centers for basic donation information. Teens pictured here collected used clean blankets and towels. They donated them to a local shelter.

In addition to sponsoring drives for pet food, toys, and blankets, consider creating a photo gallery with favorite dog photos and videos. The gallery may be displayed in the library with desktop computer screensavers or the photos can be showcased online. Invite students to "like" or vote for their favorite dog photos.