Best Children’s Books About Dogs
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Serena Faber-Nelson Updated 6 October 2020 · 10 Min Read
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.
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.
Whether you have a new baby, an emerging reader, or you’re looking for a gift for a dog-loving child in your life, here are twelve of the best children’s books about dogs, all teacher recommended, and all featuring a dog as the star.
Quick Answer: The best children’s books about dogs include timeless classics like Where’s Spot? and The Poky Little Puppy, funny modern favourites like Pig the Pug and Martha Speaks, and beautifully illustrated picks like Dogs by Emily Gravett. This list covers options for every age, from babies and toddlers through to older independent readers.
12 Teacher Recommended Children’s Books About Dogs
1
Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill
Where's Spot?
From Amazon
Price last checked June 2026 · may vary
Best for: Ages 0 to 3.
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.
2
Where’s Mr Dog? by Ingela Peterson Arrhenius
Where's Mr Dog?
From Amazon
Price last checked June 2026 · may vary
Best for: Ages 0 to 2.
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.
3
Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings
Can I Be Your Dog?
From Amazon
Price last checked June 2026 · may vary
Best for: Ages 4 to 8.
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.
4
The Poky Little Puppy
Best for: Ages 2 to 6.
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.
5
Pig the Pug
Best for: Ages 3 to 7.
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.
6
Say Hello! by Rachel Isadora
Say Hello!
From Amazon
Price last checked June 2026 · may vary
Best for: Ages 3 to 6.
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.
7
Dogs
Best for: Ages 2 to 5.
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.
8
The Dog I Love Best
Best for: Ages 0 to 2.
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.
9
Hello Goodbye Dog
Best for: Ages 4 to 8.
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.
10
The Dog Encyclopedia
Best for: Ages 7 and up.
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.
11
Martha Speaks
Best for: Ages 5 to 9.
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.
12
Old MacDonald Had a Dog
Best for: Ages 2 to 5.
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 story time. 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. Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that reading aloud with children from an early age supports language development, emotional literacy, and bonding — and stories featuring animals are particularly effective at building empathy in young readers.
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 on bringing dogs and children together happily, take a look at our guide on dogs and kids getting along.
FAQ
What is the best children’s book about dogs?
It depends on the child’s age. For babies and toddlers, Where’s Spot? and The Dog I Love Best are hard to beat. For preschoolers, Pig the Pug and The Poky Little Puppy are perennial favourites. Older readers aged five and up will love Martha Speaks and Can I Be Your Dog? for their richer storylines and vocabulary.
What dog books are good for toddlers?
The best dog books for toddlers are interactive and visually engaging. Where’s Spot? and Where’s Mr Dog? both feature lift-the-flap mechanics that toddlers love. The Dog I Love Best has a furry puppet element that makes it tactile and fun. All three are well-suited to ages one to three.
Are there children’s books about dog adoption?
Yes. Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings is one of the best. It tells the story of a shelter dog writing letters to find a home, and it’s a gentle, age-appropriate way to introduce children to the idea of rescue and adoption. Hello Goodbye Dog also touches on themes of belonging and the bond between a dog and their person.
What books help children learn about dog breeds?
The Dog Encyclopedia by DK is the standout choice here, covering over 400 breeds with detailed photos and facts. It works as both a reference book for older children building real knowledge, and a picture flip-through for younger kids who just want to look at dogs.
What children’s books teach kids to be kind to dogs?
Pig the Pug uses humour to teach sharing and empathy. Say Hello! models how to approach and greet others, including animals, with kindness. Hello Goodbye Dog builds understanding of a dog’s emotional needs. All three naturally encourage gentle, respectful behaviour around animals without being preachy.
At what age should you start reading dog books to children?
You can start from birth. Board books like Where’s Spot? and Where’s Mr Dog? are designed for babies and toddlers, with simple text and durable pages. Reading aloud to babies from any age supports language development, and dog-themed books are a lovely way to introduce children to animals even before they can interact with them directly.
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