Dog Books

Shortcake has enjoyed some books recently that I thought I would share with you, in case you have a dog lover in your midst, too.

Baby Shower by Jane Breskin Zalben is a really cute story about dogs and babies.  From a Booklist review:

Zoe wants a pet. More than anything. To get her mind off dogs on street corners and cats cuddled up in windows, Mama suggests that Zoe help with her aunt’s baby shower. That night in bed, Zoe hears the gently falling rain and soon she’s dreaming about a baby shower—of puppies, kittens, even piglets and ducklings. Weather reports note, “It’s really raining cats and dogs!” Turtles are tangling traffic, and lambs are lolling on lawns. On the day of the baby shower, Aunt Ellie gets the drawing Zoe has made of her dream, but Zoe gets something too. Sitting in a rain puddle is a warm and wet puppy that she names Baby. When her aunt has twins, all the babies get to meet.

Can you hear the collective "awwwwwwww"? It really is such a sweet story with illustrations that fascinated my kids, especially the little guy who likes to search a page for silliness: a pig faced lamp and kittens on a cloud, were some that he found, just to name a few.




Nothing But a Dog written by Bobbi Katz (I loved the irony of her last name) was beloved by my little creature cuddler. From Amazon:

“Once it starts—the longing for a dog—there is no cure for it.” Not checkers or kites or furry boots with zippers; not playing the trumpet or sharing movie popcorn with your friend; nothing can stop the longing for a dog. . . . Nothing—but a dog!

It was as if Ms. Katz looked right into Shortcake's heart and wrote it all down on paper. Jane Manning's colorful illustrations are a delight to look at. I can't tell you how much I love the colors in this book!

If you are like me and like to Google an unfamiliar author (please tell me I'm not the only one who does that) then you might be interested in Ms. Katz' bio. This section was particularly interesting:

Have you had other jobs beside writing for kids?
I've been an art historian, a fashion editor, a social worker, the host of "Art in Action", which was a radio talk show, the program director of a community arts council, a contributing author to the Cousteau Society's Environmental Almanac, and editor of educational books, and then, of course children's books. I've taught fiction at college and cleaned apartments in Manhattan. My most important job was being a Mom.

I like her already! What a fascinating life. I'll bet there are some interesting stories there.

Needless to say, this is going to be one book that will absolutely show up on Shortcake's birthday list, I can guarantee it!