Looking for the perfect dog-themed book for a young reader?
From cuddly picture books for toddlers to heartwarming adventures and fascinating non-fiction for older children, there’s something here for every dog lover. Whether it’s a mischievous puppy, a brave rescue dog, or a loyal companion, these stories and books celebrate everything we adore about our four-legged friends.
Age 1–4 (Toddlers and Preschoolers)
- Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy by Lynley Dodd
(A lively, rhyming classic about a scruffy little dog and his adventures. Perfect for reading aloud.) - Dogger by Shirley Hughes
(A heartwarming story about a boy who loses his beloved stuffed dog — gentle, timeless, and reassuring.) - Spot books by Eric Hill (e.g., Where’s Spot?, Spot Goes to School)
(Iconic lift-the-flap stories starring an adorable puppy — perfect for very young children.) - Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton
(A funny, brightly illustrated story about a dog trying his best to be good — with lots of child appeal.)
Age 4–7 (Early Readers)
- The Detective Dog by Julia Donaldson
(A fun rhyming story about a clever dog who solves mysteries at school.) - The Hospital Dog by Julia Donaldson
(A touching, cheerful story about a therapy dog bringing smiles to children in hospital.) - Charlie the Ranch Dog by Ree Drummond
(Told from the perspective of a lovable basset hound living on a farm.) - Bark, George by Jules Feiffer
(A silly and surprising read-aloud where George the dog forgets how to bark properly!)
Age 7–10 (Middle Primary)
- I Am Rebel
(A lovely true story about a determined rescue dog. Great for animal lovers aged around 7+.) - One Dog and His Boy by Eva Ibbotson
(A warm, adventurous story about a lonely boy and the dog who changes his life — ages 8–12.) - Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
(An unforgettable story about friendship, loneliness, and love, all sparked by a stray dog.) - Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey
(Wildly popular graphic novels about a part-dog, part-man policeman. Hugely funny, especially for reluctant readers.) - Brucie the Brave: The Dog Who Stopped Fetching! by DreamQuill Publishing
(A charming, inspiring story touching on the difficult topic of a family dog getting older.)
Age 9–12 (Older Primary)
- My Dog by Olivia Wakeford and David Litchfield (New for 2025)
(A beautifully illustrated and heartfelt story for children about a boy and his beloved dog.)
Non-Fiction for Dog-Loving Kids
- My Book of Dogs and Puppies by DK
(Full of adorable photos and simple facts — great for dog-loving children around 5–8 years.) - National Geographic Kids Readers: Woof!: 100 Fun Facts About Dogs by Elizabeth Carney
(Bite-sized facts, brilliant photos — easy and fun to dip into.) - Everything: Dogs (National Geographic Kids)
(Packed with canine facts, fun quizzes, and stunning pictures — a hit with 7–10-year-olds.) - Puppy Training for Kids by Colleen Pelar
(A practical and engaging guide for kids learning how to care for and train their puppies.) - Dogs (Eyewitness Books) by DK
(A comprehensive, photo-rich book packed with dog facts — ideal for older readers around 7–11.)
Dog Sticker Books
- Eyelike Stickers: Puppies
(More than 400 reusable puppy stickers — perfect for creative fun!)
Have we missed your favourite dog book?
We’d love to hear about it! Feel free to share your favourite dog-themed reads — we’re always on the lookout for more wonderful stories to add to our list.
And if you would like more themed books, you can take a look at these:
Cat Books for Children
Pony Books for Children
Train Books for Children
Dragon Books for Children
Dinosaur Books for Children
Shark Books for Children