At the Dog Park: with Sam and Lucy. Written by Daisy Bix. Illustrated by Amelia Hansen. Gryphon Press, 2006. 24 pages. Sam and Lucy go to the park and play with their dog friends, in this book told from the happy dogs' point of view. Twenty nine different breeds are featured in the text. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. PreS-3.

Benny. Written and illustrated by Sieb Posthuma. Kane/Miller Book Publishers, 2006. 32 pages. Benny's mother takes him to the veterinarian realizing that something is wrong when he shows no interest in the piece of pie that she offers to him. Humorous picture book from the Netherlands. Interest level: Grades PreS-1.

ER Vets: Life in an Animal Emergency Room.
By Donna M. Jackson. Houghton Mifflin, 2005. 96 pages. Readers will learn a great deal from this book that informs both aspiring veterinarians and animal guardians as to what is possible in an animal emergency room. ASPCA Henry Bergh Non-Fiction Companion Animal Award. Photo-essay. Interest level: Gr. 3 and up.

Francine Francine the Beach Party Queen! Written and illustrated by Audrey Coleman. Frog, LTD: Distributed by North Atlantic Books, 2003. 32 pages. Unloved, neglected and misunderstood, Francine runs away from home and is taken in by a dance troupe who love everything about her in this story told from the dog's perspective. Fiction picture book. Interest level: PreS-3.

Love Is a Happy Cat. Written by Michael W. Fox DVM with cartoons by Harry Gans. Newmarket Press, 1982. 96 pages. Garfield fans will enjoy this cartoon style book as they learn necessary information about cat care and feline behavior. Interest level: Gr. 1+

Max Talks to Me. Written by Claire Buchwald. Illustrated by Karen Ritz. Gryphon Press, 2007. 24 pages. A story about the loving relationship between a boy and his dog where needs are communicated and met. An excellent title for teaching empathy. Click here for the teaching guide. A Humane Society Youth KIND Children's Honor Book. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. K-3.

"The Trouble with Dogs," said Dad. By Bob Graham. Candlewick Press, 2007. 32 pages. A kind loving family, trying to tame their rambunctious puppy, hires an unkind dog trainer. Humaneness prevails again, in this sequel to the award-winning "Let's Get a Pup!" Said Kate. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. K-3.

Companion Animal Care Lessons:

Grades Pre-K - 1: Companion Animal Care: Fostering a Responsible Attitude Towards Guardianship from the United Federation of Teachers Humane Education Committee, the ASPCA and HEART.

Grade one: Dumb Friends League's Pets are part of our family

Grades one and two: Humane Society Youth's Pet Care Pluses

Grades one and two: Humane Society Youth's Safe Pets, Safe Kid

Grades one and two: Humane Society Youth Kind News Pets as Good Neighbors

Handout for grades 1, 2 & 3: Best Friend's Be a Responsible Pet Person

Grade two: Dumb Friends League's Families come in different shapes and sizes

Grade three: Best Friend's Secret Sacks

Grade three: Humane Society Youth's "Responsible Pet Ownership Step by Step"

Grade four: Humane Society Youth Pet Care Adds Up

Fifth and sixth grade: Humane Society Youth Pets are For Life

Fifth and sixth grade: Humane Society Youth Good Answers for Pet Problems

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