Best Children’s Books About Dogs For Every Young Dog Lover
Got a little dog lover in the house? These titles will make the perfect addition to their bookshelf.
Copy: Serena Faber-Nelson
Photography: As Listed
Ask any dog lover about the book that first sparked their love of dogs, and they’ll usually remember it instantly. That one story with the scruffy illustrated pup, or the lift-the-flap classic they wore the pages off.
Children’s books about dogs have a way of sticking with us, and the best ones do something beyond entertain — they teach empathy, introduce diversity, model kindness, and quietly shape the way young readers think about animals and the world.
Whether you have a new baby, an emerging reader, or you’re looking for a gift for a dog-loving child in your life, this list covers twelve of the best dog books for kids, all teacher recommended, and all featuring a dog as the star.
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12 Teacher Recommended Children’s Books About Dogs
Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill
Where's Spot?
Price last checked June 2026 · may vary
Forever a classic children’s book about dogs, this lift-the-flap book spawned a whole series about little Spot and his adventures.
Encouraging fine motor skills with the lift-the-flaps, the Spot series is a must for every child’s library.
A wonderful first dog book for babies and toddlers.
Where’s Mr Dog? by Ingela Peterson Arrhenius
Where's Mr Dog?
Price last checked June 2026 · may vary
Great for little hands of babies and toddlers, this children’s book about dogs features five gorgeously illustrated spreads showing a series of friendly pets hiding behind bright felt flaps.
Shortlisted for a Hearst Big Book Award, this little book is simple but engaging for young minds, and designed beautifully for adult ones too.
Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings
Can I Be Your Dog?
Price last checked June 2026 · may vary
A New York Times bestseller, this children’s picture book about dogs shares the tale of Arfy, a homeless mutt who lives in a box in an alley.
Arfy writes to every person on Butternut Street about what a great pet he’d make. This heartfelt story is a perfect book for a child wanting a dog, and for advocates of pet adoption.
Children of all ages will also learn the art of letter writing from Arfy’s sincere letters.
The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey
The Poky Little Puppy
Price last checked June 2026 · may vary
Five little puppies dug a hole under the fence and went for a walk in the wide, wide world…
The Poky Little Puppy was one of the original twelve Little Golden Books published in 1942, and went on to become the bestselling picture book of all time.
This children’s story about a curious little puppy follows his adventures involving digging holes under fences, and going to bed without any strawberry shortcake.
Having delighted families for generations, it’s a staple on any bookshelf and should be on yours too.
Pig the Pug by Aaron Blabey
Pig the Pug
Price last checked June 2026 · may vary
Award-winning author and illustrator Aaron Blabey creates fun, hilarious characters that kids love, and Pig the Pug is one of their all-time favourites.
This hilarious children’s book about learning to share spawned a whole series of Pig the Pug titles. Young readers will love the irresistibly quirky illustrations paired with a relatable lesson.
It’s the perfect book about dogs for preschoolers, older children, and pet lovers everywhere.
Say Hello! by Rachel Isadora
Say Hello!
Price last checked June 2026 · may vary
Carmelita loves to greet everyone in her colourful neighbourhood. There are people from so many different cultures, and they all like to say hello, so now Carmelita can say hello in Spanish, English, French, Japanese, and many other languages.
And her dog, Manny? He seems to understand everyone, and gives a happy “Woof!” wherever he goes.
We love this kids’ book about dogs for its eye-catching collages, diversity, and introduction to languages.
Dogs by Emily Gravett
Dogs
Price last checked June 2026 · may vary
This dog-loving children’s book is such a favourite in our household that for nights on end, my daughter demanded it be read before any other.
Dogs features gorgeous canines of every shape, size, and colour, with playful pencil and watercolour illustrations to delight children and adults alike.
The word repetition makes it a winner for emerging readers, and it comes with a twist in the tail.
A wonderfully satisfying children’s book for dog lovers.
The Dog I Love Best by Parragon
The Dog I Love Best
Price last checked June 2026 · may vary
This simple board book with a furry puppet is great for young babies and toddlers.
The rhyming text introduces them to rhythm and rhyme, and the children’s story about rescuing a dog from the shelter is utterly heartwarming. A great gift for a dog-loving child or a soon-to-be parent.
Hello Goodbye Dog by Sandra Müller
Hello Goodbye Dog
Price last checked June 2026 · may vary
This beautifully illustrated children’s book about dogs tells the tale of Moose the dog, who simply can’t bear to be apart from his owner, Zara.
Children are introduced to themes relating to pets as therapy, service dogs, loneliness, inclusivity, and the love between a dog and their owner.
It’s a beautiful tale with many learnings for young minds.
The Dog Encyclopedia by DK
The Dog Encyclopedia
Price last checked June 2026 · may vary
Covering the history, breeds, care, health, and positive training of dogs all in one easy reference, The Dog Encyclopedia is a fully illustrated encyclopaedia of all things canine.
With an extensive photographic catalogue of more than 400 dog breeds, children will also learn about canine anatomy, behaviour, and how dogs interact with humans.
Young children will love flipping through the pictures, while older children have the opportunity to build real knowledge about their favourite animal.
Martha Speaks by Susan Meddaugh
Martha Speaks
Price last checked June 2026 · may vary
When Helen feeds her dog Martha alphabet soup, the letters travel to Martha’s brain instead of her stomach, and Martha suddenly learns to talk. The conversations that follow are exactly as chaotic and delightful as you’d imagine.
Martha Speaks is genuinely funny, the vocabulary is rich enough to support emerging readers, and it spawned both a book series and a beloved animated TV series.
A brilliant pick for kids who want their dog to talk back.
Old MacDonald Had a Dog by Jane Clarke
Old MacDonald Had a Dog
Price last checked June 2026 · may vary
A fresh, funny twist on the classic nursery rhyme that puts a dog front and centre of the farm.
Old MacDonald Had a Dog is full of chaos, colour, and the kind of humour that makes both kids and adults laugh out loud during storytime.
The rhythm and repetition make it ideal for toddlers and preschoolers working on language skills, and the illustrations are vibrant and full of personality.
Why Children’s Books About Dogs Matter
The best children’s books about dogs do more than entertain.
They build empathy by asking children to consider how animals feel. They introduce themes of responsibility, loyalty, and unconditional love in language young readers can understand.
And for children who grow up with dogs, or who dream of having one, they provide a language for the bond that’s otherwise hard to describe.
For families thinking about adopting a dog, picture books like Can I Be Your Dog? and Hello Goodbye Dog offer a gentle way to open the conversation.
For children already living with dogs, books like Pig the Pug and Dogs turn something they experience every day into something worth celebrating.
Any of these twelve dog books for kids makes a wonderful gift for a young dog lover. For more dog-themed gift ideas, browse the Pretty Fluffy gift guides.
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Pet lifestyle expert Serena Faber-Nelson is the founder of Pretty Fluffy. A contributor to Everyday with Rachael Ray, Modern Dog Magazine, Cesars Way and more; her modern, stylized take on DIY dog treats has seen her recipes viewed millions of times over.
Serena is the author of the go-to dog mom bible, Dog Mama, and the popular dog treat recipe book, Healthy Homemade Dog Treats.
Copy: Serena Faber-Nelson
Photography: As Listed
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DOG By Dr Lisa Dog Brushlovely everyday brush for dog parents who want something gentle and easy to use.
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DOG By Dr Lisa Dog Brush
lovely everyday brush for dog parents who want something gentle and easy to use.