• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our use of cookies. To see what cookies we serve and set your own preferences, please review our Cookie Policy. Learn More.

The Dog People by Rover.com

Powered By Rover.com

Tips, stories, and reviews for people who love dogs, powered by Rover.com, the world's largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers.

  • The Dog People by Rover.com
  • Dog Breeds
    • Golden Retriever
    • Australian Shepherd
    • German Shepherd
    • Pomeranian
    • Shih Tzu
    • Border Collie
    • Labrador Retriever
    • Boxer
    • Beagle
    • Dachshund
    • Chihuahua
    • Poodle
    • Yorkshire Terrier
  • Dog Love
    • Cute
    • Funny
    • Heartwarming
    • Quizzes
    • Trending
    • True Stories
  • Dog Names
    • Best Girl Dog Names
    • Top Boy Dog Names
    • Unique Dog Names
    • Cute Dog Names
    • Best Puppy Names
    • Dog Name Generator
    • Tough Dog Names
    • Food Dog Names
    • Romantic Dog Names
    • Literary Dog Names
    • Country Dog Names
  • Dog Videos
  • Life with Dogs
    • Dog Safety
    • Dog Behavior
    • Dog Psychology
    • Dog Nutrition
    • Dog Training
    • Health and Wellness
    • Recipes
    • Can My Dog Eat…?
  • PuppyHQ
    • Dog Adoption
    • Puppy Essentials
    • Puppy Names
    • Puppy Training
  • Shopping
    • Shop Rover Goods
    • All Dog Product Guides
    • Dog Gift Guides
    • Safety and Training
    • Toys and Chews
  • Cats!
    • Cat Breeds
    • Cat Names
    • Cat Psychology
  • Grooming
  • Get Rover
    • Dog Boarding
    • Pet Sitting
    • Dog Walking
    • Doggy Day Care
    • House Sitting
    • Search Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers
    • Shop Rover Goods
    • Sitter Resources
  • Languages
    • en-CA
    • en-GB
    • fr-FR
    • es-ES
    • de-DE
    • it-IT
    • nl-NL
    • nb-NO
    • sv-SE
    • fr-CA

Top 10 Children’s Books About Dogs

Share422Pin It45

Top 10 Children’s Books About Dogs

Bonding with Your Dog
By Elisabeth Geier

Share422Tweet0Pin It45
  • This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.

In the famous words of Groucho Marx, “Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” Jokes aside, books are great company, and the fictional dogs we read about as children stick with us until we’re old dogs ourselves.

With that in mind, we’ve rounded up the cutest, smartest, funniest, naughtiest, all-around bestest and most memorable dogs in children’s literature. From board books to novels, timeless classics to newer favorites, these books are sure to give you and your kids something to bark about (we recommend reading them outside of a dog, of course).

Advertisement

 

1. You’re A Good Dog, Carl

In charming illustrations and very few words, author and illustrator Alexandra Day shares the adventures of Carl the dog and Madeline the baby, as they explore the world together whenever mother isn’t looking. There are many books to choose from, with Good Dog, Carl being the first in the series. If you live in Seattle, and if your kids love Carl, be sure to take them to the Meridian Playground in Wallingford, where you can hang out with a life size statue of the good dog himself!

 

2. Oh No, George!

books-oh-no-george

As the book trailer teases: “George really wants to be good, but George has seen a cake. What will George do?” We can relate! This is our kind of dog— curious, observant, a little bit naughty, and of course, extremely adorable. Readers of all ages will love this funny, vibrant picture book about George’s struggle to do the right thing in the face of irresistible temptation.

 

3. The 101 Dalmatians

Before the Disney animated and live-action movie versions, there was the 1956 Dodie Smith novel, a charming adventure story about the kidnapping and  rescue of a littler of Dalmatian puppies and their friends of all breeds. The book is full of memorable characters like the Colonel, an English Sheepdog who takes his job very, very seriously. It has some dark themes—if you think Cruella DeVil is scary in the movie, wait until you read about her in the book—but older kids (age 8-12) will love the positive message about family, friendship, and the power of teamwork.

 

4. Walter the Farting Dog

Walter is a good dog, except for one small, stinky problem. This hilarious picture book with lively illustrations will have kids and adults giggling as Walter’s flatulence saves the day, in a series of stinky adventures.

 

5. The Poky Little Puppy

books-poky-puppy

The Poky Little Puppy’s curiosity-fueled adventure first came out as one of the original Little Golden Books in 1942. With charming, sing-song narration about the puppy’s adventures by Janette Sebring Lowrey, and beautiful fairy tale illustrations from Gustaf Tenggren (who later became a chief illustrator at Disney, working on such family favorites as Snow White, Pinnochio, and Bambi), the Pokey Little Puppy deserves a place on every family’s bookshelf.

 

6. Clifford the Big Red Dog

Clifford the Big Red Dog (he’s 25 feet tall!) is a children’s literature celebri-dog, with over 70 titles, a television show, a forthcoming movie, and licensed toys out the wazoo. But Clifford’s origin story shows the humble roots of this larger-than-life personality, who started out as the runt of the litter picked out by Emily Elizabeth, and grew into an enormous, beloved best friend.

 

7. Officer Buckle and Gloria

Officer Buckle is always boring audiences to sleep with his safety presentations until a lively dog named Gloria starts performing onstage behind him. This Caldecott Medal-winning book is smart, silly fun, and makes for great for reading aloud (and acting out) over and over again. And you have to admit, Gloria is an awesome name for a dog.

 

8. McDuff Moves In

McDuff is an incorrigible West highland terrier  (is there any other kind?) whose adventures fill a series of books by beloved children’s book author Rosemary Wells and illustrator Susan Jeffers. In the first book in the series, McDuff is a lost, sad stray until a kind young couple takes him in. Subsequent McDuff stories take him on adventures as varied as obedience school, rabbit-chasing, and welcoming a new baby to the home. With a multi-title series to discover, McDuff is a children’s book dog to grow up on.

 

9. Because of Winn-Dixie

Source: Indiebound

Source: Indiebound

In this contemporary classic of dog-based kid lit, a 10-year-old girl named Opal picks up a stray dog in a grocery store and has her life forever changed. Winn-Dixie is funny, charming, big, ugly, and named after the store where Opal found him, and with his help, Opal is able to talk openly with the adults in her life, make new friends, and come to terms with her difficult childhood. Because of Winn-Dixie is a tearjerker for sure, but not in an Old Yeller sort of way. Recommended for older readers, but a great serial read-aloud for the whole family!

 

10. Ribsy

Ribsy is a skinny mutt with expressive ears and a penchant for mischief, and since his introduction in Beverly Cleary’s Henry Huggins series, he’s endured as one of the most lovable dogs in children’s literature. In Ribsy, our hero takes off an an epic adventure, getting lost in a shopping mall parking lot and exploring the city in his quest to get home to Henry. If you live in Portland, be sure to visit the Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden in Grant Park, where you’ll find Ribsy immortalized in bronze.

Of course, there are more dog books out there than we can possibly count, let alone narrow down to a perfect list. If your favorite children’s book dog wasn’t mentioned on this list, tell us all about it in the comments, and happy reading!

You May Also Like These Articles:

  • The 40 Best Books for Dog Lovers, From Charley to Marley
  • 19 Top Dog Training Books for Every Kind of Dog
  • Featured image: Fairfax Library Foundation

Share422Tweet0Pin It45

Elisabeth Geier

Elisabeth Geier is a writer, teacher, and animal advocate with extensive animal handling experience and a soft spot for bully breeds and big orange tabbies.

sidebar

By Elisabeth Geier

Share This Article

Share422Tweet0Pin It45

Popular Posts

  • How Do Dogs Choose Their Favorite Person?
  • 14 Muddiest Dogs on the Entire Internet
  • 15 Dog-Safe Plants You Can Add to Your Garden Right Now
  • TLC From B.C. Rescue Turns Fierce Feral Cats Into Calm Kitties
  • 19 Best Pug Gifts for People Who Love ‘Em
  • Most Unusual, Unique Dog Names
  • Arborist Brothers-in-Law Start Nonprofit to Rescue Cats From Trees [Video]
  • Struggling to Find a Gift for a Dog Lover? Try a Dog DNA Test This Holiday Season
  • 10 Therapy Animals Bringing Joy to the World
  • Esther the Wonder Pig and Her Dog Brother Phil Are Besties for Life
More from The Dog People
Dog eyes Christmas stocking curiously

23 Best Dog Stocking Stuffers for Christmas 2021

Learn More

  • About Rover.com
  • Download the App
  • Rover Store
  • Sitter Resources
  • In The Press
  • Terms of Service
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • User Terms
  • Privacy Statement
  • Cookie Policy

Need Help?

  • Help Center
  • Join the Team
Advertisement
© 2022 Rover.com. All Rights Reserved.