Dogs for Kids: Everything You Need to Know About Dogs

Filled with full-color photographs and written in an entertaining but informative manner, a reference tool for kids covers the whole range of the subject of dogs, dog breeds, dog ownership, and training. Original.

Starred Review. Grade 3–7—If you are looking for a book about canines that is entertaining as well as immensely informative, this is it. In a lively, conversational tone, Mehus-Roe offers a vast amount of material, from the history of dogs to vacationing with a pet, and provides practical and upbeat explanations, ideas, offbeat tidbits, and pertinent details. Some chapters should be required reading for both parents and children before an animal is brought into their lives. Without ever becoming preachy, the author emphasizes the importance of being a responsible pet owner. She highlights appropriate and imaginative fun activities to do with a dog. Many excellent black-and-white photos and clever illustrations capture the personalities and physical characteristics of a variety of canines and document the bond between them and the people who love and work with them. This humane and knowledgeable volume definitely deserves a spot on library shelves.—Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Starting with a concise history of dogs, this fascinating, well-organized compendium of canine information will answer nearly every question a child or adult might have, from breeds, simple anatomy and general habits to the basic care and training of dogs, as well as jobs and careers involving dogs. Although directed at kids, the informal narrative also provides advice for parents and warnings regarding responsibility. Clear photographs and sketches show training techniques in easy-to-follow, sequential pictures. Colorful charts, boxed questions with answers, and diagrams insert important, interesting facts and address common misconceptions. An accessible index, a glossary, a pronunciation guide, and an excellent list of recommended books, Web sites, and magazines are appended along with a CD that contains photographs and illustrations from the book. A good resource for dog aficionados, this will also attract browsers and reluctant readers. Grades 4-7. --Linda Perkins