Why am I passionate about this?

I love dachshunds!  My dachshund Harry has appeared in several of my books including Dozens of Dachshunds; May I Pet Your Dog?; Oodles of Poodles and Doodles (yep, he's in that one, too); and the Ready, Set, Dogs! chapter book series written with Magic School Bus author Joanna Cole. I'm a former early childhood teacher and children's book editor and I've written over 100 books for children. 


I wrote

Dozens of Dachshunds: A Counting, Woofing, Wagging Book

By Stephanie Calmenson, Zoe Persico (illustrator),

Book cover of Dozens of Dachshunds: A Counting, Woofing, Wagging Book

What is my book about?

See dozens of dazzling, sporty, merry, clever dachshunds strolling, soaring, galloping, gliding across the pages of this book that Kirkusā€¦

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Hot Dog

Stephanie Calmenson Why did I love this book?

In this Caldecott-winning treasure, a little dachshund is just too hot to take another step through the crowded, noisy city.  

Abandoning her errands, his person hails a taxi, rides a train, then boards a ferry to the beach to let her dog cool off and run free. (Enjoy the setting, Fire Island fans!)  

The text is spare and poetic. The art is exquisite. The book fills the heart and the senses. I could read it a million times. 

Note: Since the book is so realistic, it can be disconcerting to see safety breaches such as the dog tied up outside and crossed on a long leash in heavy traffic. It may be worth a conversation about dog care and artistic license.

By Doug Salati,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Hot Dog 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?

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ā€¢ WINNER OF THE 2023 CALDECOTT MEDAL ā€¢ This glowing and playful picture book features an overheatedā€”and overwhelmedā€”pup who finds his calm with some sea, sand, and fresh air. Destined to become a classic!

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Washington Post ā€¢ Publishers Weekly ā€¢ Kirkus Reviews ā€¢ New York Public Library

ā€œAn utter joy from beginning to end!ā€ ā€”Sophie Blackall, two-time Caldecott Medal winner

This hot dog has had enough of summer in the city! Enough of sizzling sidewalks, enough of wailing sirens, enough of people's feet right inā€¦


Book cover of The Hallo-Wiener

Stephanie Calmenson Why did I love this book?

Oscar, the lone dachshund in the neighborhood, gets teased about his size and shape by the other dogs. 

"Weiner dog! Weiner dog!" they shout. His mother's no help. When he's leaving for school, she affectionately calls out for all to hear, "Farewell, my little Vienna sausage!"

For Halloween, Oscar's mother surprises him with a costumeā€”a hot dog bun with mustard. Poor Oscar wanted to look scary but ends up feeling silly. On Halloween night, he's left trailing after the others with an empty treat basket. The tables are turned when a scary monster frightens the bullies and Oscar comes to their rescue.

This simple, well-told story is brought to life with wonderful Dav Pilkey illustrations that make you laugh and tug your heartstrings. It's a great book for any time of year.

By Dav Pilkey,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The Hallo-Wiener 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?

From Dav Pilkey, creator of the New York Times bestselling Dog Man and Captain Underpants series, comes Oscar, a little dog with a big bullying problem.

Oscar is a little dog with a big problem -- he gets more tricks than treats because other dogs tease him all the time. But one brave act on Halloween makes Oscar a Grade-A hero, proving that a little wiener can be a real winner!

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Book cover of A Particular Man

A Particular Man by Lesley Glaister,

This book is a literary historical novel. It is set in Britain immediately after World War II, when people ā€“ gay, straight, young, and old - are struggling to get back on track with their lives, including their love lives. Because of the turmoil of the times, the number ofā€¦

Book cover of Pretzel

Stephanie Calmenson Why did I love this book?

Pretzel, the world's longest dachshund, is smitten with a little dachshund named Greta and wants to marry her. 

He tries to win her favor with gifts and a demonstration of his impressive pretzel pose, but she repeatedly rejects his advances. "I don't care for long dogs," she proclaims.  

Then, one day, Greta falls into a deep hole and, thanks to being so long, Pretzel's able to rescue her. He proposes on the spot and she accepts.

I leave it to you to decide how you feel about the premise of this classic story. The good news is the marriage lasts and leads to Pretzel and the Puppies. 

In this sequel, each spread is a self-contained cartoon strip featuring Pretzel as the well-meaning dad who gets into one jam after another. It's light-hearted, affectionate, and action-packed.

By Margaret Rey, H. A. Rey (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Pretzel 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?


From the creators of Curious George, this is the happily-ever-after story of Pretzel, the longest dachshund in the world, and the lengths he goes for puppy love. The inspiration for Pretzel and the Puppies, streaming on Apple TV+.

One morning in May five little dachshunds are born. One grows up to be the longest of all! Pretzel easily wins a blue ribbon at the dog show and the admiration of everyone-everyone except Greta, the little dachshund across the street, who doesn't care for long dogs. But Pretzel is able to use his unique gift to win Greta over, and beforeā€¦


Book cover of Whistle for Willie

Stephanie Calmenson Why did I love this book?

This is a gentle, joyful story about perseverance and growing up. 

A young boy named Peter wishes he could whistle. When he sees that another boy can whistle to get his dog to run to him, he wants to do the same with his dachshund Willie. Peter tries and tries to learn. He tries so hard his cheeks get tired. He doesn't give up and triumphs in the end.

Several other books by Ezra Jack Keats feature Peter and Willie together and they're a pair worth knowing. 

By Ezra Jack Keats,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Whistle for Willie 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?

Since it was first published in 1964, Whistle for Willie has delighted millions of young readers with its nearly wordless text and its striking collage artwork depicting the story of Peter, who longs to whistle for his dog. The New York Times wrote: "Mr. Keats' illustrations boldly, colorfully capture the child, his city world, and the shimmering heat of a summer's day."


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Book cover of The Extraordinary Journey of David Ingram: An Elizabethan Sailor in Native North America

The Extraordinary Journey of David Ingram by Dean Snow,

An ordinary sailor named David Ingram walked 3600 miles from Mexico to Canada over the course of eleven months in 1568-9. There, he and two companions were rescued by a French ship on the Bay of Fundy. They were the first Englishmen to explore the interior of North America.

Englishā€¦

Book cover of 10 Little Hot Dogs

Stephanie Calmenson Why did I love this book?

In the spirit of the children's song "Ten Little Monkeys," this book has ten very cute dachshunds who, one by one, go on, then off a great big armchair.  

One little dachshund wants a friend to join him. Two little dachshunds have room for a third. Three little dachshunds want a bone to chew. Four want a ball for a game of catch. Five want a sock to tug. And so on till there are ten little dachshunds on the chair. 

Tired out, they fall asleep, then wake up and jump off one by one, leaving the first dachshund behind. When his nap is finished, he sits up and says, "Hey, you little hot dogs, wake up and play!"  

It's happy, silly dachshund fun with lots of lively barking, yipping, yapping, drooling, snoring, and more. 

By John Himmelman,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked 10 Little Hot Dogs as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

One little hot dog sitting on a chair...

"I want a friend to sit with me!"

Two little hot dogs sitting on a chair...

One by one, more little hot dogs join the group until...there are ten little hot dogs on the chair. They play and play until...they all fall asleep. But then, one little hot dog wakes up, and one by one, guess what the other hot dogs do? This funny picture book featuring artwork in watercolor and black pencil shows young readers how to count up from one to ten and back down from ten to one.


Explore my book šŸ˜€

Dozens of Dachshunds: A Counting, Woofing, Wagging Book

By Stephanie Calmenson, Zoe Persico (illustrator),

Book cover of Dozens of Dachshunds: A Counting, Woofing, Wagging Book

What is my book about?

See dozens of dazzling, sporty, merry, clever dachshunds strolling, soaring, galloping, gliding across the pages of this book that Kirkus calls, "A parade of charm." Dressed up as hot dogs, ice cream treats, dinosaurs, superheroes, and more, each pair, trio, and group adds to the excitement.  

When the parade is through, thereā€™s a joyous jamboree, complete with a sing-along, bark-along dachshund song. (All seventy-eight dachshunds are there.  Count 'em!) Back matter provides information about the breed and there's a page about the real dachshund Harry. 

Book cover of Hot Dog
Book cover of The Hallo-Wiener
Book cover of Pretzel

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