Children's books about dogs

Finding Gobi: The True Story of One Little Dog’s Big Journey

Author: Dion Leonard
Publisher: Harper Collins
Interest age: 8+
Reading age: 8+

An extraordinary true story about an ultra-marathon runner’s quest to find the small stray dog he fell in love with while running across the Gobi desert. A story that will appeal to any reader with an interest in dogs or tales of adventure and survival sports.

Goodbye Hobbs

Author: Emma Bettridge Illustrator: Josephine Birch
Publisher: Graffeg
Interest age: 4-5

Merlin the dog desperately misses his friend Hobbs, and finds some comforting scent messages from him. A touching story about grief – perfect for anyone who’s lost a pet.

Bork

Author: Rhys Kitson
Publisher: Sunbird Books
Interest age: 4-5

In this charming picture book, one dog maintains that the right way to woof is to say “bork”. Desperate to persuade the international cast of dogs that think their way is the right way, it’s an uphill task until a cat arrives, and all the dogs unite to bork at it.

Yn ogystal â thynnu sylw at synau gwahanol diddorol cŵn o ledled y byd, y bydd y pla…

A Dog With Nice Ears

Author: Lauren Child
Publisher: Hachette
Interest age: 3-5

It’s always a delight and a comfort to step into the lovely world of Charlie and Lola and this charming, warm and very funny book is no exception. Lauren Child captures perfectly the thought processes and dialogue of children who wish they had a dog.

Dog Man: Unleashed

Author: Dav Pilkey interior colour by Jose Garibaldi
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 6-10
Reading age: 6-10

Dog Man – a policeman with the head of a dog, thanks to innovative surgical procedures – is the greatest cop ever. A zany cartoon story delivered in short, colourful chapters in Dav Pilkey’s brilliantly irreverent style.

The Way of Dog

Author: Zana Fraillon
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

If you have ever wondered what goes on in a dog’s mind, this verse novel could be the closest you ever come to finding out! Be prepared to feel angry, sad, vengeful and elated – and maybe even to cry just a bit.

Good Dog McTavish

Author: Meg Rosoff Illustrator: Grace Easton
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 7-9
Reading age: 7-9

When fluffy pooch McTavish moves in, he finds his new family in quite a pickle. But not to worry because he's sure he’ll have them retrained in no time at all. A charming and heartwarming short novel, full of spark, keen observations and sly humour.

A World of Dogs

Author: Carlie Sorosiak Illustrator: Luisa Uribe
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

A fascinating non-fiction book that details everything on dogs!

Oi Dog!

Author: Kes Gray Illustrator: Jim Field
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Interest age: 3-6
Reading age: 5+

Frog has had enough of being sat on. This time, dogs will not sit on frogs - they will sit on logs, which is where they belong. Cats will sit on gnats, bears will sit on stairs and whales will sit on nails. This a side-splitting book, which is great for sharing.

Dog Gone

Author: Rob Biddulph
Publisher: HarperCollins
Interest age: 4-5

When Edward Pugglesworth loses his owner, Dave, in the woods, he's sure he's done for - but maybe his dog walk hasn't gone as wrong as he thinks?

Elise and the Second-Hand Dog

Author: Bjarne Reuter Illustrator: Kirsten Raagaard Translator: Sian Mackie from Danish
Publisher: Wacky Bee Books
Interest age: 7-9
Reading age: 7+

Elise gets a secondhand mongrel to keep her company – and turns out, the dog's name is McAddudi and he’s from Scotland. Elise and McAddudi soon grow to become best friends. A quirky and original book that is full of laughs and heart.

The Hospital Dog

Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 2-5

This is the charming story of Dot the dalmatian, a very special dog indeed, who finds out just how important her hospital visits are. The story is told in rhyming couplets which are delicious to read aloud and share with children, and the bright, inclusive illustrations are full of life, warmth and expression.

I, Cosmo

Author: Carlie Sorosiak
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Cosmo is a dog with a passion for dance. When his family no longer have enough love to stay together, can he save them? This charming story brings together the fun of canine freestyle dance and the heartbreak of divorce into a single, moving story about families.

This is a Dog

Author: Ross Collins
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 0-3

A mischievous dog has taken over this copy of ‘My First Animal Book’! Lots of fun and a real delight to read, this is a great book to share with little ones, full of beautiful simplicity.

Dogger

Author: Shirley Hughes
Publisher: Random House
Interest age: 2-5

Dogger is Dave's special toy. So when Dogger gets lost at the funfair, Dave is desolate. Will they find each other again? Exploring concepts of love, loss and kindness, this classic tale will be cherished by the entire family and will particularly appeal to any child who has a favourite toy.

Kipper's Birthday

Author: Mick Inkpen
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 6+

Kipper is working hard preparing for his birthday. He bakes a very interesting cake to share with his friends and makes beautiful invitations but is too tired to deliver them.

Fleabag

Author: Helen Stephens
Publisher: Alison Green Books
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+

A small, scruffy dog visits the park every day and looks longingly at the other dogs who all have people to take for walks.

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy

Author: Lynley Dodd
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 6+

This hilarious rhyming story follows Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy, as he sets off for a walk in town

Claude in the City

Author: Alex T Smith
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 7+

Claude is no ordinary dog - he leads an extraordinary life! When Mr and Mrs Shinyshoes set off for work, Claude heads for the city, where pigeons, beret shops and robberies await.

Michael the Amazing Mind-reading Sausage Dog

Author: Terrie Chilvers Illustrator: Tim Budgen
Publisher: Firefly Press
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

Michael the mind-reading sausage dog is extremely clever and talented. But can he get his own show in Hollywoof? With his friend Stanley Big Dog as his assistant, Michael discovers that talent can only get you so far without teamwork. A small dog with a big personality!