20 of Our Favorite Picture Books about Dogs
Inside: this list of picture books about dogs includes selections for kids ages 2-10.
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How many people learned to read from picture books about dogs? Since so many kids grow up with dogs, they’re naturally drawn to books on this topic. Fortunately, there are so many great titles about dogs to foster a love of reading! Here are the best picture books about dogs for the littlest readers and up.
Dog books for Toddlers and Preschoolers
You can introduce your little ones to the wonderful world of dogs with these sweet storybooks. They feature adorable illustrations, simple stories, and lovable canine characters that your toddlers and preschoolers will fall in love with.
The Poky Little Puppy – Janette Sebring Lowrey
This classic story about a curious puppy has been a favorite for decades. It’s a must-read on any list!
Go, Dog, Go by P.D. Eastman
Perfect for beginning readers, Go, Dog, Go shows the unusual ways dogs travel to attend a party on top of a tree!
100 Dogs by Michael Whaite
This board book is perfect for young dog lovers and beginner readers who will love pointing out the different pups on the page! It’s great for learning adjectives, too.
If you want to add in some letter recognition teaching, my Letter D is for Dog craft would pair nicely with this book as well.
Doggies by Sandra Boynton
This sweet book is for the very youngest readers. It has a limited vocabulary and will help toddlers and preschoolers develop some counting skills!
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
Harry just can’t stand to take a bath. He ends up so dirty that people don’t even recognize him anymore! Children have been loving this tale for 50 years.
Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell
Clifford is a classic for a reason! The youngest readers still adore the big red dog and Elizabeth. This is a great series, too!
Dog Books for Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
These stories are either read alouds that are a bit long for preschool, or they are early readers perfect for children just learning to read independently.
The Perfect Dog by Kevin O’Malley
When a little girl starts dreaming up her perfect dog, she comes up with a long list of traits she thinks it needs. This story is a great example of how what we think we want isn’t always what we want in the end!
Roy Digs Dirt by David Shannon
Roy’s one of those dogs that just loves to dig. He hits a snag one day when he has an unpleasant visit from a skunk…Kids will just have to know what happens next!
Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings
Poor Arfy just can’t seem to find his forever home. He keeps giving the mail lady letters to send to prospective parents until one day, he gets a reply that changes everything!
The Old Woman Who Named Things by Cynthia Rylant
In this tale, an old woman names all of the furniture and items around her so she doesn’t feel so lonely. When a stray dog starts coming around, she can’t help but fall in love.
If You Give a Dog a Donut by Laura Numeroff
From the author and illustrator of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, this title is perfect for young dog lovers (and donut lovers, too).
This book would also fit right in with my list of story sequencing books. Plus, in my store, you’ll even find a story sequencing hat that goes along with this book (along with hats for many other stories as well!)
Kids from preschool to about first-grade adore making and wearing these crowns!
Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
Gloria transforms Officer Buckle’s underwhelming safety presentation at the local elementary school with some hilarious antics. This Caldecott winner would be a great read-aloud!
Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio
In this sweet book about family, two dogs swapped at birth try going back to their “real” families. In the end, they realize that family’s about a lot more than just blood.
Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp
Shy reader Madeline Finn is met with patience and tenderness from Bonnie, the library dog. This book taps into that special love and affection only a dog can offer us!
Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky
This book tells the story of how a young service dog named Rescue meets and supports his owner, Jessica. This is a great book for an inclusive classroom library!
Picture Books About Dogs for Older Kids
Now for the big kid picture books! Whether your students want to learn about the history of domesticated dogs, embark on a hilarious adventure, or read a touching story of bravery and resilience, there’s something for everyone here.
The First Dog by Jan Brett
Best suited for elementary students, The First Dog depicts how wolves became domesticated thousands of years ago.
Dogzilla by Dav Pilkey
From the author of Captain Underpants and Dog Man, young readers will love this hilarious tale of a dog suffering from horrifically bad breath!
Little Dog Lost: The True Story of a Brave Dog Named Baltic by Monica Carnesi
Kids will be captivated by the real-life rescue tale of Baltic, a dog that floated adrift for miles and miles on a piece of ice in the Baltic Sea. Teach some research skills by looking up news articles, videos, and more!
Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
One of the most popular graphic novel series out there is Dog Man! This series is a hit with the 3rd Grade and up crew, who feel so accomplished when they fly through these thick books!
A Stone for Sascha by Aaron Becker
This wordless picture book illustrated by Becker tells a story of history, adventure, and grief without a single word. Children will soak in every detail to unravel this complex story!
What are your favorite children’s books about dogs?
There are so many great picture books about dogs. Share your must-read titles in the comments!
