Kids and Dogs - Book and Video Reviews
Books to learn about dogs, and books
just for fun. Guest reviews are welcome.
- Dog Training and Dog Information for Kids
- Stories about Dogs, youth reading level
- Books to Help Kids Deal With Loss of A Pet
Dog Training for Kids by Carol Lea Benjamin, published by Howell. ISBN 0-87605-541-2.
This book, like most of the writing by this author is easy to read. It is important
to know that dogs
do react differently to children, and this training
book takes note of that. Especially important is that it points out problems
a child should
not be handling.
Sirius Puppy Training by Ian Dunbar. A really excellent video. It uses untrained
puppies and untrained adults and children. This makes it easier for both children
and adults to see that the goals are within their reach. They can see how the
dogs learn over time. The video spends a lot of time showing child and dog interactions.
The gentle, persuasive training is ideal for a child. One caution: I agree with
the way the video explains making the dog safe with children in the presence
of food. But, make sure your child understands that your family's trained dog
is
not the same as other dogs. The child must never try taking
food away from even a very very friendly dog that hasn't been carefully trained
with that child.
by Nancy White from Scholastic Books, ISBN 0-590-26597-0
This book is for the younger child. The adult should read it first, then some
other more complete books because there are some things that need a bit more
explaining. For example, the book asks and answers " If a Dog Gets Lost,
Can She Find Her Way Home" the answer is not complete because it suggests
the dog
will find its way home, but the truth is thousands of dogs do
not. In my experience knowing that truth is helps a child understand the importance
of closing gates and doors, and being careful.
by Jacqueline O'Neil from Howell Book House ISBN 0-87605-754-7
Lots of great stuff here. It includes a quiz for parents to evaluate whether
their child is ready to have a dog, and one for evaluating your dog. It covers
various activities in which a child and a dog can participate including agility,
obedience, junior showmanship and much more. Discusses the basics for each activity
and a short piece by or about a youngster involved in that activity.
This review first appeared in misc.kids and is reprinted here with permission
from the author:
My 6 year old daughter just brought "The Bookshop Dog", a new
book by Cynthia Rylant, The Blue Sky Press (Scholastic) ISBN 0-590-54331-8,
home from her school library. It's one of those that I have to go out and
get for myself.
If you have ever had a very loving relationship with a dog, that really
kooky kind of dog love, and are a bit of a romantic, look for this book. Oh
and it's got humor too. I hope I don't spoil it for you by sharing this one
quote.
"The woman found that the big man in the green coat had painted her
mailbox, dusted her shelves, washed her windows, and swept her floor. But
most important, he had loved her dog."
That really ties with my definition of romantic love. You know these two
will never get divorced.
And luckily my daughter allows me to read it to her every day until it has
to go back to the library.
Laurel Shimer
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These reviews first appeared in misc.kids and is reprinted here with permission
from the author:
From: "Tracy L. Carter" (tlcarter@utk.edu)
Date: 1997/06/17
Got "The Tenth Good Thing About Barney" by Judith Viorst. Great book and
I think we'll use it, even though we didn't have any type of funeral for Gilly
(we donated his body for the vet students to do an autopsy on, I will get
the results if I want them). I'm beginning to wonder if we should have some
kind of memorial service. Will think about it.
Got "The Dead Bird" by Margaret Wise Brown. This was recommended to me by
the young college guy working the desk when he saw which book I was looking
for. He said he'd read it before to someone and it was very good. Seems to
be. It's at a little lower reading level, and not quite as close to home as
the Viorst book.
I also got an excellent book by Fred Rogers (recommended by the same college
guy) called "When a Pet Dies". I think we'll be starting with this one tonight.
I wish I'd had it enough together on Friday to think to go to the library
for some books. This book is very good and says that it's okay to have different
feelings (anger, sadness, etc) when your pet dies.
I'll Always Love You. by H. Wilhelm
Oh, Where Has My Pet Gone? A Pet Loss Memory Book by S. Sibbitt
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Copyright © 1997-2003,
Diane Blackman and the various authors above
Created: February 22, 1997
Updated November 12, 2007
