A Dog Wearing Shoes by Sangmi Ko

This past weekend I was visiting my brother and family when he suggested we go for a ride.  We ended up one town over from him, Madison NJ.  I have always loved Madison....it is a quaint town with cute shops and lots of restaurants.  Now my brother knows I love books so he showed me the newest Independent bookseller Short Stories Community Book Hub...I loved it.  It is in a great location and has great space.  It is more than just a bookseller it also hosts community events and music.  After we left he then brought me to another store a few doors down---the Chatham Bookseller (it used to be the Madison Public Library)...I was in heaven.  This is a wonderful used bookshop with shelves and shelves of books---some really old.  I just took in the sight and the smells...there is nothing like the smell of a bookstore.

Little did my brother know that he gave me the best birthday present ever by introducing me to not one but two of my favorite places to visit.

This past Wednesday I again was in downtown Madison.  I was waiting for a friend so that we could go to see the production of The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged)(revised)  that was being performed by the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.  While I was waiting for in the Short Stories Community Book Hub I read today's book selection.

A Dog Wearing Shoes by Sangmi Ko is the sweetest book about a little girl who falls in love with a lost dog who happens to be wearing shoes.  She becomes very attached to the puppy but then realizes it must belong to someone else.  This is the perfect book for anyone who loves a good animal story that also teaches about empathy and caring.  It is also a perfect way to explain why getting a pet from an animal shelter can be very rewarding.  I loved the illustrations too....they are whimsical and sensitive at the same time.  I highly recommend it!

Dog in Charge by K.L Going illustrated by Dan Santat

Just the other day I was having a discussion about the differences between dogs and cats.   I think I have mentioned before that I prefer dogs over cats but sometimes cats can be cute (sometimes).

Dog in Charge by K.L. Going and illustrated by Dan Santat is great new book that is a wonderful read aloud.   I love how this book reads.   It is funny and sweet.   Dan Santat's illustrations perfecly match the whimsical  text.  The expressions on "Dog's" face are priceless.   I think this is a great story time book to read with a group of children.   It has phrases to repeat with a little bit of counting too!  A must have new picture book!

My Friend Fred by Hiawyn Oram illustrated by Rosie Reeve

I think I have mentioned that I dog sit every year for a week.   When Little Bear goes home I always miss him so much.   It makes me really yearn to get a dog of my own.

My Friend Fred by Hiawyn Oram and sweetly illustrated by Rosie Reeve  caught my eye just after I took Little Bear home.   I could so relate to wanting a dog to have all to myself.   I would have loved to read this aloud to a group of children...there are cute little side commentaries that are fun to read.   The expressions that "Fred" has are priceless....such a fun story.   This is a must have new book for all the little dog lover's of the world....

One Dog and His Boy by Eva Ibbotson

I am always looking for books that I know kids will love and understand.  I have many friends who are animal lovers....dogs especially so I love when I find something for them to appreciate.  Eva Ibbotson has always been on my radar as a very prolific writer who always has something for everyone.  I was so happy to see her new book but it wasn't until I finished it that I read the back flap where it says this was her last book before she died.  It is sad to think she will no longer be able to delight the world with her words, but at least she went out on a high note.

One Dog and His Boy by Eva Ibbotson is a sweet and fun book about a sad and lonely little boy who always wanted a dog of his own.   This book has everything; friendship, adventure and heart.   It is very Dahlesque with a little bit of Jean Ferris thrown in....although for a younger audience.   This is a perfect summer reading book for young children ages 8-12.....not too hard but not too easy either.

Thank you Eva Ibbotson---you will be missed.....

Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton

Came across this book that made me laugh out loud!

Oh No, George! written and illustrated by Chris Haughton is a new book being published this week about a dog named George who tells his owner that he will be "very good" while his owner is out.   The look on his face when he says it is so funny....I love how George then thinks to himself how he "hopes to be good"....but then he sees the cake....and he just LOVES cake....I can understand his dilemma as I too LOVE cake.   Anyway Chris Haughton is now a new favorite illustrator.....I love the quirkiness of his illustrations, the color schemes and the of course how he can convey emotion with just a few brushstrokes. This is a great read aloud at story....a new classic too!

Tucker's Spooky Halloween by Leslie McGuirk

I can't believe that I am just discovering these cute books by Leslie McGuirk.  Tucker is the most adorable little character who should be seen by everyone.   In this really fun Halloween book, Tucker's Spooky Halloween, Ms McGuirk treats us to the wonderful idea that a dog can decide what he wants to dress up as.   This is so funny because I just read an article about how pet costumes are almost as prolific as kid costumes for Halloween.   I know so many dog owners who dress up their pets that I have always wondered how the pet feels being dressed in costume.   This is a great book for the pet lover in your life not just a great read aloud for children.   I look forward to writing more about Leslie McGuirk's books....she is a wonderful storyteller and illustrator.  

Weiner Wolf by Jeff Crosby

I have been wishing for a dog lately.   I was dog sitting my brother's dog for a week and now I miss him.   I have also established a relationship with my neighbors dog....he is so cute when he  runs to see me when I come outside.   I think because of this I have been much more attuned to any dog book I see on the shelf.

Wiener Wolf by Jeff Crosby  is a really fun new book about a dog who is tired of his pampered life with Granny that he earns for life in the wild.  I am not usually a dachshund fan but this little puppy's expressions are priceless....I love how it is a warm hearted story without being sappy.  This is a wonderful book to be read at bedtime.   A precious new book that I would recommend as a must have new book.   So cute....

Dogku by Andrew Clements illustrated by Tim Bowers

I was reminded of this book by a friend of mine who read it to her class to celebrate the start of Poetry Month.   It is very appropriate for her because she loves dogs.....

Dogku by Andrew Clements and illustrated by Tim Bowers is a sweet story of a homeless dog looking for a family.   It is written in Haiku style which makes it a perfect book to read during Poetry Month.  There is such a warmth to the illustrations that I dare anyone not to fall in love with "Mooch" at first sight.    This is also a perfect book for all the dog lover's in your life.   A timeless tale that will be read again and again.   

Lyle, Lyle Crocodile: Lyle Walks the Dogs by Bernard Waber illus by Paulis Waber

I have been dog sitting my brother's dog for the past few days.   Little Bear is a cute little Yorkie Poo who is really sweet.   I hate leaving him home when I need to go out.   My sister said "welcome to parenthood".


I love going on walks with him because for a little dog he can really move.   When I saw that Bernard Waber had come out with a new Lyle book about walking dogs I felt it was kismet....I love Lyle!   Lyle has always been one of my favorite characters.   No matter what kind of day I was having as a kid if I read my Lyle book I felt better.   He makes me smile.  

Lyle, Lyle Crocodile: Lyle Walks the Dogs by Bernard Waber and illustrated by Paulis Waber (his daughter) is a great addition to the Lyle series of books.   It is written for the younger child but still captures the character we know and love.   It is a great counting book too!   


When I was in the stores we sometimes did school visits.   I remember going to a school with my co-worker and friend Lindsay where we read Lyle books.   She was a trooper because as I read she sat there dressed as Lyle....it was a very big and heavy costume that was also very hot to wear.   The kids loved it and that made it worthwhile.   


No matter what Lyle is a great classic character and this is a great book to add to the collection.   

Weezer Changes the World by David McPhail

Have I said before that one of my favorite author/illustrators is David McPhail?   I have always loved his illustrations and the stories he tells.   One of my favorite books is Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore-- a fun romp that inspires giggles all around. 

Weezer Changes the World by David McPhail makes me love him all over again.   This is a fantastic story about an ordinary dog who gets struck by lightning and becomes so smart that he cures all the worlds ills.   In the end when he is just an ordinary dog again his legacy lives on.....beautifully written in its simplicity.   A great read aloud with wonderful illustrations.     

Woof: A Love Story by Sarah Weeks illus by Holly Berry

A week from tomorrow is Valentines Day....I thought it was high time I started suggesting some books that would help celebrate the day. Valentines Day was and is a big holiday for bookstores. When I was in the stores it ranked 3rd after Christmas and Halloween. I had a district manager who really loved (no pun intended) Valentines Day and always encouraged us to make a big deal out of it.

Woof: A Love Story by Sarah Weeks is one of the cutest books I have seen in a long time. I love how a dog falls in love with a cat but when the dog says "I Love You" all the cat hears is "woof, woof, woof..."! It is a wonderful read aloud and can actually foster conversation about how just because we are different it doesn't mean we can' t love each other. The illustrations by Holly Berry captures the mood completely. A new book that is a sweet read!

I Got Two Dogs ( Book & Cd) by John Lithgow Illus Robert Neubecker

On Saturday I went for an excursion to NYC with my family to walk around Rockefeller Center & Times Square and see the Christmas sights. It was very cold, but we had lots of fun and laughed alot. When we got home we were greeted by the funniest scene. My brother's dog, Little Bear (a Yorkie poo), was practically doing back flips he was so excited to see us. His reaction reminded me of one of John Lithgow's most recent children's books, I Got Two Dogs which came out at the end of 2008.

I love John Lithgow! The fact that he is one celebrity author who really writes great children's books is a plus. He does not write the books out of ego but uses them in performances for kids. I Got Two Dogs is a fun book that really gets the children involved when reading it to them, the illustrations match the words/lyrics perfectly. This is a great book for kids and adults to enjoy together!

Flashback Tuesday: The Hallo-wiener by Dav Pilkey

Long before Dav Pilkey gave us those funny books about Captain Underpants he gave us really brilliant picture books. I had an employee who would always try to stick Dav Pilkey's books into more story times. He loved to read Dogzilla or Kat Kong to the kids. When he did read them he did so with such enthusiasm that the children literally squealed with delight. I thought it fitting to talk about one of my all time favorite Halloween story's that was written by Mr. Pilkey.

The Hallo-wiener is one of his more brilliant works, it became an instant classic when it first came out. I loved to read it at story time because all the kids got the joke as did the parents. So many times we read storey's to kids but they are lost on the parents. This is the kind of book that even parents stopped talking for.

The story of a dachshund named Oscar who is made to wear a hot dog bun costume for Halloween is just too funny not to laugh at. The fact that his mother calls him her "little Vienna sausage" makes every parent smile even though kids needed an explanation of what that is. There is so much to love about this book, the story, the humor, the message and the illustrations all work together in a special way. This is what great story telling is all about. I truly believe that this is a must have for a child's bookshelf.

Fun Book of the Day: Wag by Patrick McDonnell

A few years ago I had the opportunity to meet the creator of the syndicated comic strip Mutts, Patrick McDonnell, at a lunch for one of his new books. He is truly one of the nicest people around. I was impressed that he was not impressed by his success. He was humble and sweet. I love his books, they express the feelings of how we should be in life. That life should be simple and reminds us that it is ok to be happy with very little. It is actually that concept that is brought forth in his new book called WAG!.

Wag! tells the story of Earl the dog and how he wags his tail when he eats, gets his belly rubbed even going for a walk. Mooch realizes that Earl wagging his tail equals 'love"....a really sweet story .

As I said before I love Patrick McDonnell books, one of his earlier books that is great for everyone is his book The Gift of Nothing, which is the perfect gift for the person who has everything.

Fun Book of the Day: Officer Buckle and Gloria

Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann is one of my favorite books. It won the Caldecott Medal in 1996 for best Illustrated book. This is a fun to read aloud book because kids get a kick out of discovering Gloria the dogs antics by paying attention to the fabulous illustrations. It is a great book for this time of year especially because it is a school story. I also love the fact that this won the Caldecott because it is a sweet and light hearted book that is really uplifting. Anything that can make a child laugh soothes the soul.