The best picture books about dogs from a dog person

Why am I passionate about this?

I have always been a dog person. Sometimes, I think I am a dog whisperer, as I feel like the dogs in my life have always understood me, just like I understood them. They were often so human-like that I wondered what they did at the house when I was out. So, it didn’t take much of a leap to come up with the idea of “Dudley’s Day at Home,” where Dudley and his best cat pal, Buttercup, enjoy lots of human activities while Sam and his mother are away. 


I wrote...

Book cover of Dudley's Day at Home

What is my book about?

“What does Dudley do all day while we’re away?” Sam wonders. Mom explains that Dudley does ordinary dog things: he eats, naps, guards the house, and plays.

But in Sam’s mind, Dudley’s day at home is anything but ordinary. He’s whipping up pancakes in the kitchen, playing checkers with his best friend, a cat named Buttercup, and having lots more fun.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of City Dog, Country Frog

Karen Kaufman Orloff Why did I love this book?

Every time I read this thoughtful book by Mo Willems, I cry. (In a good way!)

The touching story about an unusual pairing–a dog and a frog–is about friendship, acceptance, loss, and finally accepting loss. I love the sweet pictures, and I love the gentle way the author explains the life cycle through these memorable characters.

This book is truly one of the most beautiful picture books I’ve ever read.

By Mo Willems, Jon J. Muth (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked City Dog, Country Frog as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, and 5.

What is this book about?


In spring, when City Dog runs free in the country for the first time, he spots Country Frog sitting on a rock, waiting for a friend. “You’ll do,” Frog says, and together they play Country Frog games. In summer, they meet again and play City Dog games. Through the seasons, whenever City Dog visits the country he runs straight for Country Frog’s rock. In winter, things change for City Dog and Country Frog. Come spring, friendship blooms again, a little different this time.

Mo Willems’ spare, poignant text and Jon J. Muth’s expressive watercolors team up to tell a story…


Book cover of Widget: A Picture Book

Karen Kaufman Orloff Why did I love this book?

I love Widget, the character, so much! He is a dog looking for a home and finally finds it in a house full of cats.

These cats are not too accepting in the beginning, but they do warm up to him. I love this book for its playfulness, humor, and, ultimately, sweetness. And the pictures are adorable.

By Lyn Rossiter McFarland, Jim McFarland (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Widget as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

A stray dog pretends he's a cat in order to get a home

When Widget, a little stray dog, stumbles through a flap door into the home of Mrs. Diggs, he sees six cats, six bowls of food, and six warm beds. There's clearly only one thing to do. Confronted by the cats' intense scrutiny, Widget meows, purrs, plays with a toy mouse, and uses the litter box. Having eventually convinced his new family of his felinity, Widget is soon living so happily he sometimes forgets his true nature. But when Mrs. Diggs takes a fall and doesn't get up,…


Book cover of Dear Mrs. Larue: Letters from Obedience School

Karen Kaufman Orloff Why did I love this book?

I read this book years ago, bought a copy, and have loved it ever since. It is truly one of the funniest read-out-loud children’s books ever!

The humor is spot-on for both children and adults. I love the character of Ike LaRue, a disgruntled dog who writes letters from the Canine Academy, which he refers to as “prison.” I love Ike’s voice. He’s a dog to be remembered!

By Mark Teague,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dear Mrs. Larue as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

A dog laments his fate at obedience school through a series of hilarious letters home.

When Ike LaRue is "imprisoned" at the Igor Brotweiler Canine Academy, he tries everything to get sent home -- from weepy letters to his owner to illness. In reality, Brotweiler is more like camp than prison, but still, Ike's not cut out for life without Mrs. LaRue. Finally, he runs away only to find himself back in Snort City -- just in time to save Mrs. LaRue's life.

This classic picture book by How Do Dinosaurs...? illustrator Mark Teague is now available as a trade…


Book cover of Dog in Charge

Karen Kaufman Orloff Why did I love this book?

This is a very funny picture book about an obedient dog who is just trying to do the right thing –watching the somewhat unruly cats while the owners are out.

I love the relationship between the cats, who love the dog, and the dog as a responsible “babysitter.” It’s wonderfully written with humor and heart. Fun pictures, too! 

By K L Going, Dan Santat (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dog in Charge as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, and 5.

What is this book about?

When the going gets tough, Dog . . . takes a nap

Dog can Sit.
He can Stay.
He can even Dance.
But when he's in charge, can he keep the cats in line?
All one, two, three, four, five of them?

Illustrated by Caldecott winner, Dan Santat, and packed full of slapstick silliness and utterly earnest charm, Dog will quickly wiggle his way into preschoolers' hearts.


Book cover of Cool Dog, School Dog

Karen Kaufman Orloff Why did I love this book?

I love the playful language of this book.

As someone who enjoys writing in rhyme myself, I appreciate the easy-flowing text that’s fun to read aloud. I also love the character of Tinka, a dog who has a lot of fun, maybe a bit too much fun!

This is definitely one of those picture books that can be read many times to kids and they won’t get bored.

By Deborah Heiligman, Tim Bowers (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Cool Dog, School Dog as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

Tinka is a cool dog, a school dog, a breaking all the rules dog. A hall dog, a ball dog, a crash-into-the-wall dog.

Join Tinka, a dandy, sandy Golden Retriever, as she unexpectedly visits her owner at school and helps his class learn to read. Bright illustrations rendered in acrylic paint add to the excitement in this playful back-to-school story about a boy and his "loves-to-hear-a-book" dog.

The author and illustrator of Cool Dog, School Dog have donated this book to the Worldreader program.


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Hotel Oscar Mike Echo

By Linda MacKillop,

Book cover of Hotel Oscar Mike Echo

Linda MacKillop Author Of Hotel Oscar Mike Echo

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

For decades I have volunteered in different capacities, helping the hurting and those living on the margins by tutoring and teaching literacy to the formally incarcerated or homeless, teaching parenting in a maximum-security jail, and teaching ESL to resettled immigrants. Because my own suburban father fell into homelessness at the end of his life due to depression, job losses, divorce, and more, I feel tremendous compassion for anyone in this situation. And as the mother of four grown sons, we filled our home with books—especially books that taught compassion so our sons would grow into men with big hearts towards others. I believe we succeeded.

Linda's book list on hard family circumstances for middle-grade readers

What is my book about?

Home isn’t always what we dream it will be.

Eleven-year-old Sierra just wants a normal life. After her military mother returns from the war overseas, the two hop from home to homelessness while Sierra tries to help her mom through the throes of PTSD.

When they end up at a shelter for women and children, Sierra is even more aware of what her life is not. The kind couple who run the shelter, Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin, attempt to show her parental love as she faces the uncertainties of her mom’s emotional health and the challenges of being the brand-new poor kid in middle school. The longer she stays at the shelter, the more Sierra realizes she may have to face an impossible choice as she redefines home.

Hotel Oscar Mike Echo

By Linda MacKillop,

What is this book about?

Home isn’t always what we dream it will be. 

Eleven-year-old Sierra just wants a normal life. After her military mother returns from the war overseas, the two hop from home to homelessness while Sierra tries to help her mom through the throes of PTSD.  

When they end up at a shelter for women and children, Sierra is even more aware of what her life is not. The kind couple who run the shelter, Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin, attempt to show her parental love as she faces the uncertainties of her mom’s emotional health and the challenges of being the brand-new…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in dogs, cats, and school?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about dogs, cats, and school.

Dogs Explore 394 books about dogs
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