Two great dog picture books

 I was lucky enough to be at ALA this past weekend in D.C., and enjoyed not only seeing friends, but filling tote bags with (mostly) kids books. Now that me and my books are home again, I'm determined to get on top of reviewing the finished books in particular, so that they can get on the library shelves and into the hands of their target audience!

So here are two fun dog picture books that even a cat person can appreciate (although cats won't; my cat, needy after my ALA absence, didn't like how much room they took up in my lap....)

I'm Not Missing, by Kashelle Gourley, illustrated by Skylar Hogan (May 2022 by little bee books)

I'll start by saying how much I adore the side-eye of this book's fictional dog narrator!  He's a dog who grew tired of being a pet--the costumes he was forced to wear, the tricks he had to perform, the lack of toilet privacy, etc.  And so he snapped one day, and took off on his own, looking askance at the missing dog posters adorned with his image, scrounging for food, and finally pooping without an audience.  But then he sees his little girl loving a new dog.  Though he tries to just nonchalantly accept that she's moved on to another relationship, when he realizes she was just pet-sitting, and when he sees her weeping while looking at his missing dog picture, he gives being a pet again another chance.  Fun and adorable, and thought-provoking too with regards to relationships, with illustrations that made me grin.

Woof! The Truth about Dogs, by Annette Whipple, illustrated by Juanbjuan Oliver (June 2021 by Reycraft Books)

This non-fiction book is perfect for young dog-lovers wanting to learn more about their beloveds, but also great for kids who aren't familiar with dogs. Information about all sorts of dog topics is presented in a kid-friendly question and answer format, such as "How do dogs help people?" with lots of pictures of dogs doing their various jobs (helping, guarding, herding, and loving) as well as basic information in the text focusing on service jobs.


There are questions I'd never thought to ask, like "do dogs sweat?" (yes, from nose and paws), questions whose answers are nicely science-y, like "why are puppies born with closed eyes?" and "why do dogs smell everything?" and one that (many) kids might have wondered, and will find transgressively delightful --"why do dogs smell butts?" (which is answered with lovely matter-of-factness). I think two of the most important questions, though, are "how do dogs communicate?" and "how to meet and great a dog." Lots of good information here that might well keep enthusiastic but un-dog- smart kids from harm!

Plus there are lots of cute dog pictures, both illustrations and photographs, and instructions for a tug toy kids can make.