Are You Ready for Me? Written by Claire Buchwald. Illustrated by Amelia Hansen. The Gryphon Press, 2007. 24 pages. A guide to the many responsibilities involved in dog guardianship, which includes loving and protecting your companion. An excellent Humane Education teaching tool as well as an important book for families to read together before considering committing to a dog. The appended contract/checklist should be reviewed carefully by families before acquiring a dog. Recommended purchase for schools, libraries, humane educators and animal shelters. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. K-3.

Breakfast for Jack. By Pat Schories. Front Street, 2004. 32 pages. One busy morning, the entire family has breakfast but they all neglect to feed Jack the dog, who is unsuccessful in his many attempts to prompt them. Wordless Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. PreS-1.

Millions of Cats. Written and illustrated by Wanda Gag. Puffin Books, 1928, 1956. 30 pages. The memorable refrain of America's first picture book, "Hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats," should help children commit to memory the importance of sterilizing companion animals. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. K-3.

One Day at Wood Green Animal Shelter. Written and illustrated by Patricia Casey. Candlewick Press, 2001. 32 pages. Publisher's summary: It is a very busy day at Wood Green Animal Shelter and veterinary clinic, where the workers take care of a variety of animals that need their help. Recommended by Humane Society Youth. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. K-3. (out of print but available through many libraries)

Second chance : a tale of two puppies. Written by Judy Masrud and illustrated by Cathy Pool. Birdseed Books, 2006. 81 pages. Two different families each adopt a littermate at a local animal shelter on the same day; each has a son who badly wants a dog. In alternating chapters, the book contrasts the differences between the boys and how they handle the responsibilities of raising and training their pups while highlighting positive training techniques. A teacher's guide is available from the publisher and is recommended. Recommended reading for children and their parents before acquiring a puppy. An excellent Humane Education teaching tool. Provides an important lesson in responsibility too. Illustrated Fiction chapter book. Interest level: Grades 3-6. Reading level: 3.5

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