My Puppy Patch

Written by Theo Heras

Illustrated by Alice Carter

Pajama Press

978-1-77278-080-2

24 pp.

Ages 3-6

June 2019

Getting a new pet is a great responsibility and I am delighted that this bright child takes that responsibility seriously now that Patch has joined their household.  Patch, obviously so named for her intriguing dark spot around her left eye, is a clever puppy who has already learned the commands to sit, stay down, come, roll over and stay. But she is young and occasionally distracted.  Still the little girl knows it's a big day because today Patch will be taken outside the fence for a walk.

From My Puppy Patch, illustrations by Alice Carter, text by Theo Heras

The two friends go for a walk and, though Patch explores and plays with Benny's puppy Smallfry, she always comes when called. It becomes evident that the puppy has learned a lot, just as her girl has, knowing to be cautious of other dogs, giving the puppy love, water, a bed, treats and all the things that are right for a young dog.

From My Puppy Patch, illustrations by Alice Carter, text by Theo Heras

For families getting a new dog, Theo Heras gives some excellent advice about canine care, and this little girl is doing it all right, understanding that Patch has basic needs for health and well-being but also for learning and emotional care. Their relationship is certainly one of friendship but the learning goes both ways as the child shows flexibility in her expectations and as Patch's skills in following commands are reinforced.

From My Puppy Patch, illustrations by Alice Carter, text by Theo Heras

Ottawa artist Alice Carter preserves the lightness of Theo Heras's message about the interrelationship between child and puppy by keeping her illustrations bright and colourful and her characters effusive in their expressions. There's play in the artwork and it reflects the affection and enjoyment the two have for each other and in their outing. 

From My Puppy Patch, illustrations by Alice Carter, text by Theo Heras

For children taking on the responsibility of a puppy, My Puppy Patch emphasizes the joys and only occasional but natural missteps as part of the process of learning to cultivate a solid relationship between child and dog. It may be work, like any education, but it's worth it.

Kamik: An Inuit Puppy Story

by Donald Uluadluak

Illustrated by Qin Leng

Inhabit Media

32 pp.

Ages 4-9

2012

Though Kamik: An Inuit Puppy Story is based on an Inuit boy, his dog and his grandfather, the expectations of a young boy for his new pup and the wisdom that an older family member shares could be from any household.

Jake seems frustrated with his restless new puppy, Kamik, who is distracted by new sights, sounds and things upon which to chew.  Jake's declarations that, "He never listens, no matter how loud I yell" or "Get back here!" or "Stop it" has his grandfather, Ataatasiaq, chuckling before sharing with Jake his reminiscences of raising puppies, with the help of his own grandmother and the other women.  While sharing anecdotes with Jake about hunting with his dog team and the many times the dogs helped him out, his grandfather imparts the traditions of communicating with and appreciating one's dogs.  From the naming of pups to cherishing them as if children, his grandfather makes it clear that Kamik will be what Jake makes of him by his relationship with the husky puppy.

Depending on the book cover, author Donald Uluadluak's name may be preceded by the qualifier, "Adapted from the memories of", sharing the credit of Kamik: An Inuit Puppy Story with those who shared their wisdom of raising dogs with him. The idea that knowledge is continuously built upon from past generations, perhaps with each new generation taking what works and leaving behind what doesn't, is heartening.  Whether used for raising pups or children or for guiding one's choices, experience is an invaluable teaching tool.  Without taking over Jake's learning, his grandfather steers him with kindness and humility and good old-fashioned common sense to ensure that Kamik is treated well and appreciated wholly for his goodness.  The illustrations by Qin Leng, artist of A Flock of Shoes (Sarah Tsiang, Annick Press, 2010 ) and Dear Baobab (Cheryl Foggo, Second Story Press, 2011), have the perfect light touch for a story that has as strong message about the right way to do something and with compassion to ensure that the reader, and Jake, never feel chastized.

International Day of the Dog: Puppies and Dogs Book List III

Last book list for International Day of the Dog.  Picture books, chapter books, young adult books and now non-fiction. Plenty of reads for celebrating a wide variety of dogs and their adventures,  misadventures, history and contributions to our lives.  Send a photo of your pooch with a sample of your favourite dog read if I've missed it here.   But remember:  it must be #youngCanLit!

Non-Fiction

Animals that Changed the World
by Keltie Thomas
Annick Press
112 pp.
Ages 8-1
2004

Dog Crafts (Kids Can Do It series)
by Linda Hendry
Kids Can Press
40 pp.
Ages 7+
2002

Little Lions, Bull Baiters and Hunting Hounds: A History of Dog Breeds
by Jeff Crosby and Shelley Ann Jackson
Tundra Books
72 pp.
Ages 9+
2008

No Shelter Here: Making the World a Kinder Place for Dogs
by Rob Laidlaw
Pajama Press
64 pp.
Ages 9-12
2011

Sergeant Gander: A Canadian Hero
by Robyn Walker
Dundurn
176 pp.
Ages 9-12
2009

Talking Tails: The Incredible Connection between People and their Pets
by Ann Love and Jane Drake
Tundra Books
180 pp.
Ages 8-13
2010

Working Like a Dog: The Story of Working Dogs through History
by Gena Gorrell
Tundra Books
156 pp.
Ages 10-15
2003

Here's to celebrating 

April 28's International Day of the Dog 

with kindness, compassion, and youngCanLit.

International Day of the Dog: Puppies and Dogs Book List II

Still prepping for International Day of the Dog on April 28, 2013?  Want more than just picture books?  Here's a selection of novels, early readers, middle-grade fiction, and young adult, with important canine characters.


Fiction and YA

Arctic Storm (A Canadian Flyer Adventure #16)
Written by Frieda Wishinsky
Illustrated by Patricia Ann Lewis MacDougall
Owlkids Books
96 pp.
Ages 6-9
2011

Barry, Boyhound
Written by Andy Spearman
Alfred A. Knopf/Random House Canada
230 pp.
Ages 9-12
2005

Bringing Up Beauty
Written by Sylvia McNicoll
Stoddart Kids
204 pp.
Ages 10-13
1994

Beauty Returns
Written by Sylvia McNicoll
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
195 pp.
Ages 12-14
2006

A Different Kind of Beauty
Written by Sylvia McNicoll
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
208 pp.
Ages 13-15
2008

Berta: A Remarkable Dog
Written by Celia Barker Lottridge
Illustrated by Elsa Myotte
Groundwood Books
99 pp.
Ages 7-9
2002

Birdie For Now
Written by Jean Little
Illustrated by Renné Benoit
Orca Book Publishers
154 pp.
Ages 8-11
2002

Black Dog Dream Dog
Written by Michelle Superle
Illustrated by Millie  Balance
Tradewind Books
141 pp.
Ages 9-10
2010

The Carved Box
Written by Gillian Chan
Kids Can Press
232 pp.
Ages 10-14
2001

Dancing Through the Snow
Written by Jean Little
Scholastic Canada
248 pp.
Ages 9-12
2007

Different Dragons
Written by Jean Little
Puffin
112 pp.
Ages 8+
2007 (reissue)

Dog Days
Written by Becky Citra
Orca Book Publishers
93 pp.
Ages 7-11
2003

Dog House Blues
Written by Jacqueline Pearce
Orca Book Publishers
176 pp.
Ages 8-12
2005

Dog Lost
Written by Ingrid Lee
Scholastic
197 pp.
Ages 9-12
2008

Dog Tracks
Written by Ruby Slipperjack
Fifth House
225 pp.
Ages 12+
2008

Dog Walker
Written by Karen Spafford-Fitz
Orca Book Publishers
110 pp.
Ages 11-14
2006

The Dog Who Wouldn't Be
Written by Farley Mowat
Random House Canada
226 pp.
Ages 12+
1984

Einstein Dog
Written by Craig Spruce
Thistledown Press
258 pp.
Ages 11-14
2009

Elixir
Written by Eric Walters
Penguin
192 pp.
Ages 8-12
2005

The Graveyard Hounds
Written by Vi Hughes
Tradewind Books
167 pp.
Ages 9-11
2008

Hubcaps and Puppies
Written by Rosemary Nelson
Napoleon
172 pp.
Ages 9-11
2002

Junkyard Dog
Written by Monique Polak
Orca Book Publishers
107 pp.
Ages 11-14
2009

Last Chance (A Robyn Hunter Mystery)
Written by Norah McClintock
Scholastic Canada
228 pp.
Ages 12-15
2006

Last Chance for Paris
Written by Sylvia McNicoll
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
204 pp.
Ages 12-15
2008



 


Lost and Found
Written by Jean Little
Illustrated by Leoung O'Young
Viking Kestrel
82 pp.
Ages 8-10
1985

Lucky Baldwin's Vow
Written by Morley Callaghan
Stoddart
181 pp.
Ages 9-12
1995 (re-issue)

Lucky's Mountain
Written by Dianne Maycock
Orca Book Publishers
112 pp.
Ages 8-11
2007

The Mummy Lives (Sam, Dog Detective series)
Written by Mary Labatt
Kids Can Press
114 pp.
Ages 8-10
2002

Nix Minus One
Written by Jill MacLean
Pajama Press
296 pp.
Ages 12+
February, 2013

Nobody's Dog
Written by Ria Voros
Scholastic Canada
150 pp.
Ages 8-12
2012

No Pets Allowed
Written by Irene N. Watts
Illustrated by Kathryn E. Shoemaker
Tradewind Books
112 pp.
Ages 7-9
2010

Piper
Written by Natale Ghent
Illustrated by Cindy Ghent
Orca Book Publishers
176 pp.
Ages 9-13
2000

The Prairie Dogs
Written by Glenda Goertzen
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
164 pp.
Ages 8-12
2005

City Dogs
Written by Glenda Goertzen
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
133 pp.
Ages 8-12
2007

Miracle Dogs
Written by Glenda Goertzen
Hazeldell Productions
142 pp.
Ages 8-12
2012

Prince for a Princess
Written by Eric Walters
Illustrated by David Parkins
Orca Book Publishers
64 pp.
Ages 7-9
2012

Puppy Love
Written by Frauke Scheunemann
Groundwood Books/House of Anansi
312 pp.
Ages 9-12
2012


 

Rescue Pup
Written by Jean Little
Orca Book Publishers
101 pp.
Ages 8-10
2004

Forward, Shakespeare!
Written by Jean Little
Illustrated by Hanne Lore Koehler
Orca Book Publishers
100 pp.
Ages 7-9
2005

Sea Dog
Written by Dayle Campbell Gaetz
Illustrated by Amy Meissner
Orca Book Publishers
62 pp.
Ages 6-8
2006
 

Shimmerdogs
Written by Diane Linden
Thistledown Press
134 pp.
Ages 9-13
2008

Shu-Li and Diego
Written by Paul Yee
Illustrated by Shaoli Wang
Tradewind Books
84 pp.
Ages 7-10
2009

Snitch
Written by Norah McClintock
Orca Book Publishers
100 pp.
Ages 12-16
2005

Swindle
Written by Gordon Korman
Scholastic Canada
252 pp.
Ages 8-12
2008

Zoobreak
Written by Gordon Korman
Scholastic Canada
230 pp.
Ages 9-12
2009

Framed
Written by Gordon Korman
Scholastic Canada
34 pp.
Ages 10-12
2010

Showoff
Written by Gordon Korman
Scholastic Canada
248 pp.
Ages 10-12
2012

Hideout
Written by Gordon Korman
Scholastic Canada
256 pp.
Ages 8-12
January 2013

What's a Daring Detective Like Me Doing in the Dog House?
Written by Linda Bailey
Kids Can Press
185 pp.
Ages 8-11
1997








Non-fiction titles will be listed tomorrow.  But, at 48 picture books and today's 49 novels, I think we've made an excellent start at our dogs and puppies' #youngCanLit booklist!