I am the author of eleven children’s books, including Double Pink, My Mom is Trying to Ruin My Life, and No Go Sleep! As a dog lover, many of my books are about dogs or feature dogs. In President Pennybaker, illustrated by Diane Goode, a dog become president. In The Problem with The Puddles, illustrated by Tricia Tusa, a chihuahua and a Great Dane, both named Sally, get separated from their family and have a rollicking adventure trying to get reunited. When I write, I try to find clever approaches to universal themes and enjoy making children laugh. (I am also the event producer for Islanders Write, a writer’s festival on Martha’s Vineyard Island.)
By Kate Feiffer, Jules Feiffer
This funny pun-filled picture book is ideal for ages 4-8. Henry the Dog with No Tail is about a dog (he’s an Australian shepherd) who feels sad because he doesn’t have a tail, so he ventures out to get one. Henry returns home with a very long tail that wags so fast it lifts him off the ground and into the air. Henry is ultimately about accepting your differences and the differences of others. Great for kids who love dogs and a good laugh.
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By Sharon Creech
This clever, funny, moving book for children of all ages, as they say, is one of my all-time favorites. If poetry isn’t your thing, this book will make you think again. The story unfolds as a series of notes from a reluctant poet, Jack, to his teacher, Miss Stretchberry, who is teaching them about poets and poetry.
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By Mark Haddon
Talk about voice! No need to dog-ear the pages of this clever, smart, engrossing, book about an autistic boy—he prefers dogs to people and he knows every prime number up to 7,057—and his investigation into the suspicious death of his neighbor’s dog, because it’s a serious page-turner.
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By James Thurber
As a lifelong doodler and a dog lover, I am a fan of James Thurber’s simple lines that say a lot and his witty whimsical way with words. Thurber was a celebrated writer and cartoonist—he died in 1961—who had a wry take on human nature and our idiosyncrasies. While much of his work feels dated now, in my opinion, his dog doodles are evergreen.
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By Malcolm Gladwell
I downloaded What the Dog Saw as an audiobook because who better to keep you company on a long drive than Malcolm Gladwell. The book is a collection of his essays that were published in The New Yorker, including an essay about famed dog trainer Cesar Millan. As always, Gladwell’s perspective and research are illuminating.
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By Nicole Galland
Yes, it’s a thing, and my dear friend Nicole Galland makes the most out of it in her funny and moving “rom-com” of a book about a different kind of blended family—one that involves an Irish actor in need of a green card, his new love, and her beloved dog. This book is a romp and a road trip for dog lovers and the lovers of dog lovers.
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