Review by Booklist Review
An exploration of all the reasons kids and their four-legged companions might enjoy reading a book, Dogs Love Books, Too is an endearing ode to the power of stories. While a few of the featured reasons to love books are canine specific (their affection for "the taste of the colorful pictures," for instance), most also capture why young readers should pick up a book, for reasons ranging from the power of the book to teach readers about worlds old and new to its ability to make readers feel less alone. The illustrations, with a limited but friendly color palette, are childlike in a way that really captures the individual personality of each dog and the strong bond between the pet and its owner. This is the perfect story for book lovers as well as for the reluctant reader who might be persuaded to head to the library when they learn that a love of reading is something they can share with their furry best friend.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--In this simple, unassuming title, an unnamed narrator speculates why dogs love books so much. Is it the smell? The taste? The sound of someone reading aloud? Perhaps it's "learning about faraway places" or the way that "the magic inside books makes us dream." Ultimately, the narrator decides that dogs love books for the same reasons as human readers: books "make us feel like we are not alone." While the story itself feels a bit underdeveloped, it strikes a warm, comforting tone that evokes the feelings of connection and companionship that both a dog and a good book can offer. Rendered using layered acetate and acrylic paint, the illustrations are bold and the palette of blue, green, orange, and white pops off the pages; children in the art are depicted with either white or orange skin. VERDICT A gentle invitation to young readers to explore the joy and possibility of reading.--Lauren Strohecker
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Who knew dogs fancied books? The kids in this story speculate about why dogs might enjoy books. Perhaps pooches love the way the pages smell? Or the way the pictures taste? Or "the sound of wonderful stories read aloud"? Dogs might appreciate the opportunity to learn about faraway places. Or maybe the magic of books allows them to have "big, perfect dog dreams." The children ultimately decide that maybe dogs love books for the same reasons humans do: because books "make us feel…Like we are not alone." A youngster pipes up, "When I read with a dog or two or more, I don't feel alone either." This statement is accompanied by a very endearing illustration of the child reading to caged dogs at a shelter; some empty cages bear "Adopted" signs. That seems to be the heartfelt conclusion of this gentle tale: Books provide us with company. How could we feel lonely under those circumstances? And with a trusty doggo beside us, we're certainly never alone. This sweet story, expressed in simple text and rife with conversation-sparking possibilities, will appeal even to kids who aren't dog owners. Grown-ups should encourage children to volunteer reasons why they and their dogs love books. The lively illustrations, created on acetate layers painted with a brush and black acrylic paint, feature a limited palette of white, orange, and blues and depict racially diverse characters and a variety of dog breeds. A delightful tribute to both bibliophilia and dogs.(Picture book. 3-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
