Little Dog Moon

“You must not use the mountain road.” “We know no other way,” the girl told him. “Perhaps not, but moon does,” answered Tenzin. He knelt down to stroke the long hair from the little dog’s eyes. “Take them. Show them the way.” A young monk is moved by the bravery of two children journeying alone to the freedom of Nepal. He offers what help he can–a hot bowl of soup, a warm bed for the night–but he realizes their best chance lies with Moon. She is the little dog who knows the unguarded paths out of the mountains, the very dog who will leave an ache in his heart when she goes. This story was inspired by the sacrifice and courage of those who struggle to be free. It is not uncommon in Tibet for parents to send their children into the treks through the mountains in the hope they will find refuge in Nepal. During the winter when the passes are not heavily guarded, the bitter cold is considered a smaller threat than remaining at home. Many such children have made it, many have turned back, many more have simply disappeared.

Look at that Building

Learning about buildings and how they are constructed has never been so much fun. This gem of a book introduces young readers to basic construction concepts through the eyes of five friends keen on building a doghouse for their pet pooch, Max. To find out more about the task, Yulee, Martin, Nick, Sally and Pedro head to the library, where they learn about foundations, beams, frames and other building fundamentals. Fun facts, bright illustrations and comic-book-style discussions among the characters add to the mix. An activity at the end of the book invites readers to make their own mini doghouse out of marshmallows, paper, glue and craft sticks.

Black Dog Dream Dog

When Sam finds a big black dog in her back yard she wants to keep him, but her mother can’t find out so Sam hides him in the shed. Meanwhile, Stella wakes up in a strange room to find that she’s had a stroke. She can’t move and she can’t talk, so how can she ask what happened to her dog?

No Pets Allowed

When Matthew moves to Vancouver with his mother, he’s not able to bring along his dog Lucky, because the apartment building he is moving into does not allow dogs. But when Matthew’s imaginary dog scares off a burglar, all the tenants argue that Lucky should be allowed to come live there.

Merci Mister Dash!

Mr. Dash may not have a pedigree (he can count five different breeds of dogs as family), but from his furry head to his wagging tail, he is a gentleman. His fine manners make him a perfect companion to Madame Croissant. Their life together is graceful and civilized, what with walks in the park, stamp-collecting, and a passion for flowers. But the well-ordered household is turned on its head whenever Madame Croissant’s granddaughter, Daphne, comes to visit. She’s as wild as Mr. Dash is courtly, and she makes the poor dog’s life miserable. But when she finds herself in real trouble, Mr. Dash proves that he is not only well-mannered but as brave as any knight.

The Trouble With Tilly Trumble

A sweet, read-aloud story of friendship for dog lovers everywhere in a tale about the relationship between a lonely person and a homeless pet that offers laughs and sincere emotion. Tilly Trumble collects chairs, but she’s still looking for the perfect four-legged, scruffy old thing to fill the space by the fire. When a scruffy dog arrives and doesn’t want to leave, Tilly finds the perfect companion for her chair collecting, sausage eating, and star gazing. Dog owners especially will find warm satisfaction in this story of a pooch who teaches his human friend a lesson in love, loyalty, and furniture arranging.

If I Had a Dog

Six-year-old Maxine is dog crazy. She draws dogs, she has dogs on her T-shirts, she even drags home neighbors’ dogs in the hopes that her parents will let them stay. On a walk to the park with her big brother, Hugh, Maxine stops every time she sees a dog, hoping for a kiss or a tail-wag from the four-footed friends she adores. Hugh and some of the pet owners she meets along the way teach Maxine how to know when it is safe to approach, how to greet, and what to do to ensure a happy experience for both child and canine.Whether they’re small or big dogs, working or guard dogs, old or young dogs, even aggressive dogs, Maxine learns how best to deal with each situation. And though she aches to have them all, she is about to find out that the best dog is her own dog — the squiggly surprise her parents have waiting for her.Written so that young children can learn to “read” dog language, the veterinarian-approved information is presented in a charming storyline that is sure to appeal to young children.

Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle

Nubs, an Iraqi dog of war, never had a home or a person of his own. He was the leader of a pack of wild dogs living off the land and barely surviving. But Nubs’s life changed when he met Marine Major Brian Dennis. The two formed a fast friendship, made stronger by Dennis’s willingness to share his meals, offer a warm place to sleep, and give Nubs the kind of care and attention he had never received before. Nubs became part of Dennis’s human “pack” until duty required the Marines to relocate a full 70 miles away–without him. Nubs had no way of knowing that Marines were not allowed to have pets.

 

Bagel’s Lucky Hat

Bagel has lost his lucky hat! His friend Becky helps him retrace his steps, but the story he tells her of the day’s adventures laughing fishes? a mad scientist? a space-traveling robot? is far too silly to be believed. Or is it? Coupled with zany illustrations by underground comic book artist Dave Cooper, this whimsical tale is sure to be a favorite for any kid whose imagination sometimes runs wild.

Ten Little Puppies/Diez Perritos

Ten little puppies are lost, one by one, for different reasons, until only one little puppy remains.