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Finding good dog books for kids - ones that actually model safe, respectful behavior - is harder than it sounds.
As a dog trainer and mom, I’ve noticed a troubling trend:
some of the most beloved children's classics, and some of the recently published books, teach children exactly the wrong things.
There is a very popular children's book out there - which I am not going to name - that shows a small child riding, climbing on, and hugging a dog. When my kids were little, I used to read that book to them strictly as an example of what NOT to do!
I’d much rather read books that positively model how to interact with dogs, or simply feature cute, relatable canine characters.
A few years ago, I started a list of books we enjoyed reading, and I feel comfortable recommending them to other parents.
By no means is this list complete! If there is a book about dogs or a character your family loves, please share it with us here.
From Emme: I often refer back to the books when we’re encountering a similar situation in real life and can see how quickly it clicks for them.
Our personal favorites are “Lola and the Bubble Mission”, “Blue”, “Don’t Lick the Dog”, and “Hands Are Not For Hitting.”
Note from Dominika: Before my kids could read, I would swap out words in books to make the story safer. If a book ever featured a picture showing unsafe behavior, I just turned it into a quick talking point about why that isn't the best way to treat a dog.
We've included links to both Amazon and Bookshop.org so you can choose what works best for you.
We love shopping with Bookshop.org because every purchase directly supports independent bookstores - the ones that hand-sell books, host story times, and keep reading alive in local communities. It's our favorite alternative to Amazon, and we have our own Dog Meets Baby storefront there with links to our favorite books. 🤍
For our international readers, Amazon links will redirect to your local storefront where available.
These sturdy books are perfect for the littlest readers, focusing on sensory exploration, basic concepts, and early bonding.
When his humans bring home someone new, Dog is determined to sniff out the truth. Is this arrival another dog, or something else? As Dog investigates, he might just find a new friend in this loud, silly creature.
With Dog’s First Baby, Natalie Nelson captures the wonder and humor of a new baby through a dog’s eyes. My children were preschoolers when this book was published, it is definitely for much younger children.
Our personal copy has been taped together more times than I can count. We read this book so many times with my then-toddlers.
It is a simple book with cute illustrations, counting from one dog up to ten dogs, but it’s actually very entertaining.
The last page was my children’s favorite (the one with 10 dogs).
by Eric Hill (Author, Illustrator)
Reading age: 1 - 3 years old
Our home copy might be missing a few of its interactive flaps from years of heavy use, but this was one of my children's favorite books when they were little.
“Spot is one of the essential experiences of childhood.” —Parents magazine
It’s bedtime, but the iconic little yellow puppy Biscuit isn't quite ready to sleep! Before Biscuit gets into bed, he wants one more snack, one more story, and one more kiss.
This padded board book perfectly mirrors the familiar bedtime negotiation families know all too well.
These are the books I reach for as a dog trainer and a mom - the ones that actually teach kids how to read dog body language and be safe around dogs, without it ever feeling like a lecture. They help teach boundaries and show children how to safely bond with their pets.
Lola and the Bubble Mission follows Lola, her sister Hela, and their cat Daisy through everyday moments and adventures that naturally teach children how to read dog body language and respect boundaries - all woven naturally into a story kids actually want to hear again and again.
It introduces the innovative "bubble" concept that instantly helps young children understand when animals need space. No more worrying about pulled tails or scared pets - this book gives you and your child the tools to read animal body language like a pro.
Support Independent Bookstores via Bookshop.org
Each board book from this collection shares a different lesson for your toddler while offering practical tips to help you calmly enforce these boundaries.
This book teaches the basics of kindness to animals: careful handling, awareness, safety, and respect.
Where to Buy:
This book helps little ones learn to use their feet for fun and movement rather than expressing anger or frustration.
This book helps toddlers learn to use their hands for creating, playing, or saying hello, not in anger or frustration.
A must-have for every toddler and their caregiver. It helps toddlers understand why hitting is not allowed and shows them how to react to their feelings with actions that are safe and kind.
Children learn practical coping mechanisms, like sharing their feelings with an adult, clenching and relaxing their fists, scribbling an “angry picture” to get out their frustration, and practicing deep belly breaths to calm down.
A visual and humorous book that teaches children the proper etiquette for interacting with dogs.
It directly addresses the impulsive behaviors kids have (like trying to lick or rush a dog) and replaces them with calm, dog-friendly manners.
This beautifully written story is a must-have for teaching children empathy and boundaries around sensitive or fearful dogs. It helps kids understand that just because a dog doesn't want to be petted, it doesn't mean they can't still be friends.
The book shows children that even when a dog is still warming up to them, there are plenty of safe, fun ways to interact, like engaging them in play that doesn't involve direct touching or approaching. Play is an incredible tool for building a dog’s confidence, while gently teaching your child how to respect their boundaries.
As the title suggests, it is a kid’s guide that teaches children about dog body language and safe interactions.
Note from Dominika: The book mentions greeting an unfamiliar dog by approaching them calmly. I recommend a slight adjustment here: If a dog doesn’t approach you happily, it’s best not to approach them even if their person said it was okay to say hi. Always let the dog’s body language guide you. Watch this video for guidance on how not to greet a dog.
It is more of an educational guide than a traditional storybook.
River and Wilder teach readers to interpret subtle behavioral changes and present the enriching activities you can safely do with your pet, while also highlighting the things you shouldn’t do to dogs.
The books where dogs do the heavy lifting on big emotions, self-esteem and resilience. My kids' favorites.
One of our favorites. A stray dog named Arfy writes letters to every house on Choppy Lane, looking for a home. We love the message: If you have a goal, don’t say it’s too hard - keep trying, and you will achieve your goal. A very inspirational book for young readers and a really good story!
My kids' absolute favorite book!
This inspiring true story is about overcoming life's challenges and finding your inner strength. Ivy shows children that even when you are down, injured, or sick (on her third birthday, Ivy became suddenly paralyzed in her back legs due to a rare genetic spinal disease), don’t give up, and life can be more than great, it can be awesome!
Never quit what you love doing.
Amazon | Bookshop (currently unavailable)
A touching (and true) story about a little stray dog who tags along with an ultra-marathon runner across the grueling Gobi Desert.
It teaches children that friendship and loyalty is far more important than winning a marathon.
Makes a great bedtime story.
My son loves this book!
This funny and endearing story offers a subtle look at sibling rivalry and self-esteem through the eyes of Ed, the family dog. It reassures kids that everyone is excellent at something, and that your family loves you, just as you are. Ed shows children that if you are not good at one thing, it doesn’t mean you are bad at everything.
Amazon | Bookshop (currently unavailable)
If I remember correctly, we bought this book “pre-loved” when my children were little. They loved it so much and read it so many times that, at some point, the cover completely fell off before I even had a chance to tape it back together!
It is a funny, classic picture book about a strong-willed dog who really doesn't want a bath, perfect for young fans of dogs...especially ones who also don't always want a bath! Beyond the laughs, the story shows children that everybody can be different in their own way, and everybody can be great in their own way.
Don't miss the rest of Harry the Dog 4-book series that also includes:
Where to Buy:
Not part of the series is Harry and the Lady Next Door.
This book is about a little girl and her dog, her best friend in the whole wide world. One day, she decides to make the most magnificent thing for her and her dog. But things don't go as planned, leading to a massive bout of frustration. A very valuable story that shows the young readers that if you have a goal in life, and it seems impossible, it’s okay to take a break! You can remake things over and over, you can give it a few drafts. You don’t have to make the magnificent thing right away.
The Most Magnificent Idea
The Most Magnificent Team
The Most Magnificent Makers
See the whole series list on Amazon
One of our favorite books that teaches children (and adults!) that mistakes are simply opportunities to grow, explore, and try something new.
This adorable book teaches young readers how to help themselves, aka handle the puppies in their own heads.
It uses a clever dog analogy comparing a hyperactive, anxious, or angry mind to an untamed puppy running around inside your head. It’s funny, it’s relatable, we love the illustrations, and it gives children concrete, visual tools to help calm down when they’re feeling overwhelmed or frustrated.
Reading age: 3 - 8 years old
In this STEM-themed picture book, Cece asks a pressing scientific question: Do dogs eat vegetables? Alongside her best friend Isaac, she designs an experiment, collects real data, and analyzes her findings using her dog, Einstein, as their case study. Their conclusion is surprising and a lot of fun!
As my children said, this book shows you that sometimes things can be boring, but if you do them with a dog, they can be more fun and interesting, and you can discover new things. Great illustrations.
This picture book is perfect for fans of Ada Twist, Scientist: The Why Files; The Questioneers Series; or Libby Loves Science and anyone who enjoys asking questions.
These are the books for curious kids who ask big questions. They introduce children to the world of animal rescue, show how service dogs change lives, and explain how wolves originally became man's best friend.
This warm story shows how one person (a little girl) can change a dog’s life and give a dog a home. Maverick’s story was very eye-opening to my children. So much so that they later did magic shows for the family over Christmas and Easter, and donated all the money they earned to buy supplies for our local animal shelter. A great book that teaches children about dogs in rescues and shelters in a compassionate way.
Amazon | Bookshop (currently unavailable)
Wonderful book about how guide dogs are trained, socialized, and matched with their human partners to build a life-changing team.
Amazon | Bookshop (currently unavailable)
Young Louis wants a pet dog, but his grandmother insists there are already enough dogs in their neighborhood. To see if she’s right, Louis conducts a door-to-door dog census, mapping out the community's canine residents.
Meanwhile, his grandmother takes on City Hall to transform a vacant lot into a beautiful neighborhood dog park for all. Louis discovers there are exactly twenty dogs nearby, including a lovable mutt in need of a home that officially becomes Louis’s own.
This fascinating story follows a lonely wolf pup who approaches a rejected human child for food and is met with a life-changing act of kindness. By exchanging scraps of meat for hunting and tracking assistance, the boy and wolf form a powerful partnership based on mutual survival. Over generations, this bond caused wolves to evolve into the loyal, diverse dogs we know and love today.
These are the books that helped our family when we lost Lola — and the ones I recommend to every family facing the same goodbye. They help you navigate the sadness together, whether your child needs a comforting bedtime story or just needs to know that it’s okay to cry.
Of all the books that help you process your pet’s death, this one is my daughter’s favorite. It’s also the only one that we could read as a bedtime story, as it’s not that sad, and you can read this book before your dog dies (some are too sad and too heartbreaking).
We read this book many times when Lola was still in great shape, but it helped us a lot when Lola died. The idea of the rainbow bridge and dogs having fun there brought immense comfort to our family when her time came. I always imagine that it’s a place where Lola can eat her favorite treats, destroy countless beds, roll in stinky stuff, or run as fast as she wants to, with all her friends, young and healthy. And this image has always brought a smile to my face, even in the hardest moments after we said goodbye.
Another helpful message is that even though we are not with Lola anymore, she is with us forever (in the dreams, emotions, feelings). Plus, it has adorable illustrations.
From the author of the picture book phenomenon The Invisible String comes a moving companion title about coping with grief after a pet dies.
This book shows that you will always have a connection, an invisible leash made of pure love, with your pet. Even though you are sad, and they are not here, you can talk to them, and they will always listen to you. Really helpful after you say goodbye to your dog.
“When our pets aren't with us anymore, an Invisible Leash connects our hearts to each other. Forever.”
The Invisible Leash helped us tremendously through the experience of the loss of our beloved Lola. You can read this book before you say goodbye to your pet, it’s not too sad.
A young girl and her lovable dog, Lulu, are the best of friends. Lulu is the best dog a girl could ever hope for, but as she grows older and gradually becomes weak, the little girl must face the sad possibility of losing her dear friend and, inevitably, cope with the death of her canine companion. Over time, the little girl discovers that the sweet memory of her beloved Lulu will live on forever in her heart. It is a realistic story about saying goodbye to a dog. It is beautiful but very sad. We cried a lot reading it.
I recommend saving this specific title for after your pet has passed.
A wonderful book about friendship and empathy, it’s sad but not too sad. It is a story about a little boy who grew up with Elfie, the best dog in the whole world. After Elfie dies, he finds comfort in knowing that he has always told Elfie how much he loved her.
You can read it before or after you say goodbye to your beloved pet.
Note from Dominika: It has one illustration showing the little boy riding on Elfie’s back. I would use it as a teaching moment to point out to your child a behavior we don’t do to dogs.
This book is about a young girl, Charlotte, who says goodbye to her dog. Charlotte’s mom took Bella to the vet, who said Bella won’t be alive much longer because of her declining health. Charlotte is sad, but together with her family, they make each day Bella has left special.
When Bella is no longer with her family, they share stories about her and plant a tree in her memory. They even bake treats on her birthday anniversary and take them to the shelter Bella was from.
It is a sad book, but one that can help prepare your child for your pet’s death. I love that the book includes space for children to draw and write out their own favorite memories of their pet.
Amazon (currently unavailable)| Publisher
A wonderful story about a dog named Momo and the author playing hide-and-seek with Momo all over the world.
It helped my son a lot after we said goodbye to Lola. It was his favorite book.
It illustrates that even when a dog is no longer physically here, their spirit can be found all around us—in the morning sun, the rustle of the trees, and the stars at night.
You can read this book before or after you say goodbye to your dog. It is sad, but not too sad.
This book gives you tangible ideas on how to help children (and yourself) process grief.
Even if the person or the dog are not here anymore, you can make a box with memories like sand from the beach where you used to play together or your dog’s collar. A memory box helps children overcome the fear that they will forget their loved one, and it gives them a physical activity to symbolically process complicated emotions.
A very comforting book.
If you want a truly unique way to talk to your kids about the lifetime bond we share with pets, this is it. The book uses shades of blue to track a boy and his dog from the happy, playful "ocean blue" days to the bittersweet, slow days of "old blue." Yes, it’ll probably make you tear up a bit, but it finishes on such a hopeful note with "new blue" that it leaves your kids feeling comforted rather than completely heartbroken.
These books use fun dog characters and catchy rhymes to teach little ones about counting, colors, and healthy foods.
Adorable story about a little girl and her energetic Corgi companion discovering different fruits and vegetables around the farm.
Teaches children numbers and cute rhyming phrases.
Dog starts off the day with one black spot on his ear. But it seems that wherever he goes, he collects spots made of red jam, blue paint, pink ice cream, and more. When he finally arrives back home, Dog has ten different colored spots.
A great book for toddlers that teaches them about colors and numbers in a fun way. Fun story and cute illustrations. It’s a great bedtime story because the dog goes to bed at the end.
Go, Dog. Go! | Hardcover
Written for beginner readers using only 75 different words. Great book to learn about colors, sizes, numbers, and prepositions in a fun way.
These are the books I will hold onto forever.
Reading age: 2+
It is my absolute favorite book, for so many reasons. I love the story, the beautiful illustrations, and the powerful message. When something frustrating or annoying ruins a project a child is working on, the story shows them that the world doesn’t end. It doesn’t mean it's over.
You can always take a breath, fix it, and build or make something even better. It is an incredibly comforting read and makes a great bedtime story.
Reading age: 3-6 years old
I will be forever grateful for this book because it helped us so much when my children started going to nursery school, preschool, and later Kindergarten.
The idea that a kiss left on your palm stays with you when you're away from each other is such a beautiful, tangible way for kids to feel connected and loved.
You just touch your cheek with the kissing hand and instantly feel that warmth. I love this tangible concept but it is also a very engaging and fun story.
We have a saying in our family, “ Do it scared!” - it’s completely okay to feel scared, take your time, but if you want to do it, do it.
This book is about working up the courage to do something that feels scary at first, and listening to your body when you feel overwhelmed. Jabari has finished his swimming lessons, passed his swim test, and tells everyone that jumping off the high diving board looks easy. But when the moment actually comes, the board looks awfully high.
I love the beautiful relationship featured between the patient and encouraging dad, and his determined little boy. You can’t help but root for him!
Watching your child transition into independent reading is such an exciting milestone. Great books for young readers.
Reading age: 5-7 years old (five pre-level 1 books and one level 2 book)
Before Mudge grew into a big, playful dog, he was a big, adorable puppy!
Fun and heartwarming stories about the friendship between a little boy named Henry and his dog, Mudge.
This carry-along Ready-to-Read boxed set of six books includes:
Whether Biscuit’s tracking down his favorite ball, helping feed the neighborhood pets, or visiting his local library, this enthusiastic little pup is always up for a gentle adventure.
This tail-wagging boxed set includes:
All recommended books can be found here:
-Happy reading!
Online resources to help your baby and dog get along—right from the start and as they grow up together.
