With Spring Break arriving, it’s the perfect time for young readers to embark on a literary adventure! We’ve curated a selection of books, with the help of Friesens Corporation in Altona who printed them all, featuring our furry friends – cats and dogs. These stories are not only entertaining but also instill valuable lessons about friendship, empathy, and the joy of caring for pets. So whether your child is a fan of kittens or puppies (or both) you’ll be sure to find a book that will keep them captivated over the break. We’ve provided the recommended age range where possible, but it’s always a good idea to flip through the book yourself to be sure it’s appropriate for your child.
DOGS DON’T EAT SOUP – Jolene Olive
Ages 2-5
This is a story of a fearless bulldog named Frankie. In a world where soup is only for humans, Frankie dares to ask the question, “why can’t I eat soup?” Despite the obstacles he faces, Frankie is determined to try soup for the first time. This book is a story about perseverance, determination, and creative soup-making and reminds readers that you can do anything when you take matters into your own paws.
FLUFFY THE HAIRLESS CAT – Nichole G. Webster
Ages 3-7
Fluffy is looking forward to playing with his best friend, but he can’t find his favourite toy, Neon Mouse! As he searches frantically, he becomes overwhelmed with emotions, not knowing if he is sad or mad. Through friendship and meditation, Fluffy learns how to find calm amidst the chaos of toy troubles.
JUST A BOY AND HIS DOG – Biz & Nettie
Ages 4-8
The story takes readers on a silly and slobbery journey as the boy and his doggo engage in various activities such as playing tag, making forts, and chasing squirrels. Throughout their adventures, they learn simple yet important lessons in kindness, bravery, and compassion.
WALTER THE FARTING DOG – William Kotzwinkle & Glenn Murray
Ages 4-8
Walter is a dog with a distinctive trait of flatulence. Despite this, he is loved by his human siblings, Billy and Betty. However, it becomes unbearable for their father who considers surrendering him to the local pound. As luck would have it, Walter’s unexpected asset turns into his superpower when a burglar breaks into the home! The book is a funny tale about acceptance, love and the incredible power of being oneself, farts and all.
WHEN WE HAD SLED DOGS – Jola Tremblay & Miriam Korner
Ages 5-8
Go on a journey to the past where dog teams were an integral part of the traditional way of life in Northern Saskatchewan and follows the seasonal cycle of trapline life. The story is inspired by Elder Ida Tremblay’s childhood memories and is told in English with Woodland Cree words and phrases.
CHI CHI THE RESCUE DOG – Elizabeth Howell
Ages 4-8
This book tells the true story of Chi Chi, a Golden Retriever. She’s found abandoned on the side of the road with a broken leg and taken to the local veterinarian’s office where, due to severity of her injuries, they decide they must amputate her leg. Despite losing a leg, she remains a happy dog. When she is adopted, her family decides to get her prosthetics so she can run and play like all the other dogs.
KAMIK JOINS THE PACK – Darryl Baker
Ages 5-8
This is part of the Kamik series and revolves around a young Inuit boy naked Jake and his puppy Kamik. Jake is eager for his uncle, a successful musher who has won many dog sledding races, to meet Kamik and see how good a boy he is. Both Jake and Kamik are hopeful they can one day be part of a winning sled dog team, so they learn from their elders the Inuit tradition of dog sledding and the fundamentals of being a musher. It emphasizes the importance of hard work, learning, making mistakes, and perseverance.
EVERYBODY DESERVES A HOME – Maia Cooper
Ages 5-8
Big Pup learns about the struggles and obstacles that each of his friends face in finding a safe, affordable, and accessible home, discovering that housing isn’t one size fits all. In the book, Big Pup dedicates his time to helping his friends find and build homes that suit their individual needs. It aims to educate kids about the importance of affordable housing and how everyone can make a difference in their community.
THE ROVER ADVENTURES – Roddy Doyle
Ages 6-12
The Rover Adventures is a humorous trilogy that follows the Mack family and their dog Rover through various escapades and madcap adventures. This special edition contains three classic adventures including The Giggler Treatment, Rover Saves Christmas, and The Meanwhile Adventures.
THE ADVENTURE OF SPACE DOG: FIRST TRIP TO SPACE – Sir Captain Patrick
This is the story about a dog who yearns for adventure and exploration, but also misses the comfort of home. In his trusty rocket ship, Space Dog embarks on a journey to see the most amazing sights in the universe and meets new friends who teach him interesting facts along the way. He struggles with homesickness and tries to find a balance between his love of exploration and his longing to be at home with his family and friends.
RJ’S JOURNEY: WHILE WAITING TO BE FOUND
This is a tale based on a true story of RJ, a kitten accustomed to living on the streets of Red Deer, Alberta. His life takes a turn when he is taken to an animal shelter and experiences a different kind of life. With time, RJ learns that humans can be kind and it’s safe to eat the food they bring. He gradually adjusts to the new environment and is finally ready to find a new home. The book follows his patient journey as he waits for his new family.
DOG MAN: TWENTY THOUSAND FLEAS UNDER THE SEA – Dav Pilkey
Ages 7-12
This is the 11th book in the Dog Man series and follows the adventures of Dog Man (a half-dog half-human police officer) as he battles his new nemesis, Petey the Cat and his army of fleas. It’s an action-packed and highly imaginative journey as Dog Man and the Chief come up against Petey the Cat who is trying to rebuild his laboratory and a villain named Piggy who escapes from jail.
A FIRST GUIDE TO CATS: UNDERSTANDING YOUR WHISKERED FRIEND – Dr. John Bradshaw
Ages 8-12
This book is told from the perspective of a cat named Libby, who explores what she likes, dislikes, and everything in between. Through fun illustrations and easy how-tos, Dr. Bradshaw educates kids on how to best care for and understand their cats. It’s designed to teach kids about the secret lives of their cats, and helps them grow into the best pet guardians they can be.
A FIRST GUIDE TO DOGS: UNDERSTANDING YOUR VERY BEST FRIEND – Dr. John Bradshaw
Ages 8-12
Told from the perspective of Rusty the Terrier, this book gives kids a front seat view into the everyday lives of dogs. It seeks to uncover the secret lives of dogs and helps kids learn how to be the best pet guardians they can be.
NOTORIOUS – Gordon Korman
Ages 9-12
Keenan is a boy who has lived all over the world but finds nowhere quite as strange as Centrelight Island, which is split between Canada and the US. His neighbor, Zarabeth, is obsessed with the island’s history as a Prohibition-era smuggling route. With her dog, Zarabeth and Keenan unravel clues about the death of her former dog, Barney, and in the process they uncover a shocking conspiracy that dates back to Centrelight’s gangster past. It’s a suspenseful story that brings the island’s history of gangsters and gunfights roaring back to life.
I TOUCHED A CAT AND I LIKED IT – Anna Blandford
Young Adult
This is a quirky read that explores our often complex relationships with cats. Using humour, Blandford points out cat behaviour at its best (and worst) and dives into why humans find cats so irresistible! It also helps us understand why we obsess over cats: if a cat lover is presented with a choice of products and one of them has a cat on it, that undoubtedly would be the one selected (because if it doesn’t have a cat on it, is it even worth owning?)
IN DOG WE TRUST – Mary Zaia
Young Adult
This book is a tribute to the unwavering loyalty and companionship of dogs. It features adorable photos accompanied by uplifting quotes about friendship, loyalty, and connection. It reminds us that while people may disappoint, betray, and leave you hanging, dogs never do!
DOG LESSONS – Hersch Wilson
Young Adult
This is a heartwarming and wise examination of dogs and the powerful impact they have on our lives, imparting invaluable lessons in navigating love, loyalty, and grief. The author reflects on his experiences with his Bernese Mountain Dog, Nellie, and shares how her spirit and determination (despite her physical ailments) serve as a source of inspiration. The book is a compendium of dog wisdom that is not only poignant but also offers good advice.
HAPPY READING!
Last modified: May 19, 2024
