Children’s Books With Dogs Inside
Photo of Momo, taken by Andrew Knapp
If you’re like me, you’re always looking for dogs. I even surround myself with people that share this affinity. My friend Kyla, in fact, carries a measuring tape with her at all times in case she needs to find out how long a dog is. If a home without a dog is just a house, then a book without a dog is probably just a dissertation of some sort. I have another children’s book coming out in May 2021, Let's Find Momo Outdoors!, which is not in time for the holidays. So, I wanted to make a list for your holiday season of books that are available and wonderful. Of course, my big rule is there must be at least one dog in the book.
Photo taken by Andrew Knapp
You Matter by Christian Robinson
Ages 4-8
This is the book that inspired me to make this list. Christian’s already mastered aesthetic simultaneously tells the story and charms us. One of my favourite children’s books is Ann & Paul Rand’s Little 1, and Robinson invites the same friends into the room. If you’re paying attention, you’ll find a tiny story built into the book about a runaway dog.
Buy the Book:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Bookshop
Photo taken by Andrew Knapp
Pet That Dog! A Handbook for Making Four-Legged Friends by Gideon Kidd and Rachel Braunigan
Age 7+
Jam packed activity book for the kid that loves dogs and enjoys interactivity. Your young one can even work on checking off a list of breeds they’ve met and track some details about each one. All this, and the author Gideon Kidd started this project when he was 9! To make it sweeter, he made the book with his mother Rachel Braunigan.
Buy the Book:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Bookshop
Photo taken by Andrew Knapp
What’s My Superpower? By Aviaq Johnston
Ages 3-5
Aviaq Johnston takes us along with Nalvana as she tries to discover her superpower. You’ll even learn a little bit of the Inuktitut language along the way. And her sidekick is the best type of sidekick: a dog.
Buy the Book:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Bookshop
Photo taken by Andrew Knapp
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster with illustrations by Jules Feiffer
Age 8+
I’ll be honest, I only read the first chapter so far. It was recommended by a few friends as a book that shaped their youth. I do recall the few “novels” I read as a kid, and this one definitely rings to the tune of the same nostalgia.
Buy the Book:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Bookshop
Photo taken by Andrew Knapp
The Great Puppy Invasion by Alastair Heim with illustrations by Kim Smith
Ages 4-7 (board book)
This is a sweet story about a puppy-less town that’s brought to life by a puppy invasion. Illustrated by one of my favourite illustrators Kim Smith and written by Alastair Heim.
Buy the Book:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Bookshop
Photo taken by Andrew Knapp
Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman
Ages 0-5
A tiny little pocket book to stuff into a stocking. By the famous P.D. Eastman, Dr. Seuss’ protégé.
Buy the Book:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Bookshop
Photo taken by Andrew Knapp
Busytown Seek and Find by Richard Scarry
Ages 0-5
This book is pure nostalgia. I’ve spent hours getting lost in Richard Scarry books as a kid. His style of busy scenes give us a lot to look at. I didn’t even need a storyline (though there typically was one), I could just choose my own adventure and visit the shops and homes with my eyes.
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Andrew Knapp
Andrew Knapp is a dog lover and photographer living and exploring on unceded territory in Canada. His dog Momo created an internet sensation by playing hide-and-seek all over the world. Andrew’s books about Momo include Find Momo, Find Momo Coast to Coast, Find Momo across Europe, Let’s Find Momo!, Let’s Find Momo Outdoors! and more. Andrew continues to find reasons to appreciate the lives our dogs give us, and now explores and makes books with dogs Yaya and Boo. Say hello at letsfindmomo.com.
