Dog Days of Summer: Top Dog Books for Kids

by Emily Zhu, Marketing & Publicity Intern

There are two things in the world that bring me immense joy: books (of course) and dogs. So why not put the two together? From stories about big dogs with immense powers, to small puppies wreaking havoc, here’s a list of the top dog books for your little dog lover!

Henry: Avalanche Rescue Dog by Cosmic

Meet Henry, a lovable border collie who is slight but strong, and the team of dogs and humans he works with in the beautiful and sometimes dangerous mountains. Henry can be found riding chairlifts, perched on skiers’ shoulders, and even descending from helicopters — all in the race against time to save people caught in dangerous avalanches. In this novel, complete with colorful photographs and scientific facts, follow Henry as he emBARKS (ha) on his journey to becoming an avalanche rescue dog!

Halo: Disaster Response Dog by Cosmic

Meet one of Henry’s friends, Halo! Halo is a Dutch Shepherd puppy who has spent almost her whole life preparing for one job: finding people who are trapped in disaster zones. Her bond with her human partner, Fire Captain Cat, is unshakeable — together, they can overcome any obstacle. But training to be an Urban Search and Rescue dog is tough, and it’s going to take all of Cat’s dedication and Halo’s courage to succeed.

Superpower Dogs by Cosmic

Inspired by the heroic feats of Henry and Halo? Well, there are more superpower dogs where that came from! In this photographic (and totally awwwww-worthy) picture book, learn more about Halo and Henry’s other friends: Tipper and Tony, wildlife protection bloodhounds in Kenya; Ricochet, a surfing therapy golden retriever in California; and Reef, a water rescue dog in Italy. Read about all of them before you catch them in action on the big screen in Superpower Dogs, the IMAX film!

Danger Is Still Everywhere: Beware of the Dog! by David O’Doherty

As part of the Danger is Everywhere series, Dr. Noel Zone is here to teach you how to be safe and avoid danger! When it comes to pets, he believes that the only safe pet is a pet rock. But what happens when a puppy named Napkin comes to stay with him? Follow Dr. Noel as he faces his worst nightmare and shares safety lessons to protect yourself from the closest canine to you!

Dog Vs. Cat by Chris Gall

It’s a question that’s been asked for ages: are you a dog or a cat person? Well, in this story, you must choose your allegiance when Dog and Cat are pitted against each other! Dog and Cat do not get along, but when they’re forced to share a room, they agree to be on their best behavior…until they get on each other’s nerves. Through pranks and mischief, find out who reigns supreme in the age-old debate as they learn how to be roommates!

The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin

Okay, this one doesn’t have an actual dog, but stick with me here. In the Chinese zodiac, the dog symbolizes loyalty and prosperity (there’s a reason why dogs are a human’s best friend). The year of the dog, in particular, is typically when people “find themselves” and their passions in life. But in this bestselling novel from Newbery Honor Winner Grace Lin, Pacy is unsure of what that means for her. Join Pacy as she rings in the new year with her family and sets off to find her life’s passion. Sure, it’s not a real dog, but a symbolic one totally counts, right?

Smells Like Dog by Suzanne Selfors

Homer Pudding is an ordinary farm boy whose dream is to follow in the footsteps of his famous treasure-hunting uncle. But when Uncle Drake suddenly disappears, Homer inherits two things: Dog, a lazy, droopy dog with a hidden talent, and a mystery that involves a grand treasure. Now Homer, his sister Gwendolyn, and Dog are off on an adventure, dodging ruthless treasure hunters that lurk around every corner and finishing what their uncle started.

Underwater Doggies 1,2,3 by Seth Casteel

Counting doggies, one, two, three. How many doggies can you see? In this board book filled with hilarious pictures of dogs diving underwater, count along from one to ten with pet photographer Seth Casteel. Numbers have never been so doggone fun!