| By
Emma Snow
Calling all dog-lovers! Dogs have made
some of the most unforgettable characters in literature.
It’s not uncommon for children to become as attached to
a dog in print as the real thing. Puppy love comes in
all forms. In fact, I believe I can trace my canine-cravings
to my earliest days of reading, when I fell in love with
Old Dan and Little Ann (from Where the Red Fern Grows).
Below, I’ve compiled a list of five famous dogs you must
bring home for your littlest children! (Good news…you
won’t have to clean up after these champions!)
Carl is the star of seven picture books
by Alexandra Day. The gist of these stories is that Carl,
a responsible and caring rottweiler, is given the responsibility
of caring for baby Madeleine while her parents are out.
Once the adults are out of the way the fun begins! Carl
includes Madeleine on some wild adventures. Sometimes
they just trail the parents (keeping out of sight, of
course), and sometimes they get into trouble—but Carl
always manages to cover his tracks! With realistic watercolor
illustrations and few words (only those necessary to suggest
the storyline), Day’s books are designed for very young
readers, 2-5 year olds, and will make rottweiler fans
out of readers everywhere.
In 1976 Eric Hill’s son Christopher was
born. Eric created a story about a small puppy to read
to his son at bed-time. In 1980 Where’s Spot? was published.
Now over forty Spot titles fill the library bookshelves,
and the list is still growing. Cuddly and creamy-colored,
with big brown spots on his back and the tip of his tail,
this dog is destined to be your child’s best friend. With
simple storylines and sturdy flaps, Spot books appeal
to 2-5 year olds.
This is the Fiftieth Anniversary for our
next dog protagonist. (Now how old would that be in dog
years?) Harry, a small white dog with black spots, was
created in 1956 by Gene Zion. Five installments complete
the Harry collection. He is a wholesome, amusing addition
to any children’s library. Whether he’s trying to quiet
down his neighbor, hiding a hideous sweater, or visiting
the seaside, Harry’s always into mischief! Even reluctant
readers, ages 2-8 years old, can’t resist Harry!
Norman Bridwell gave birth to the next character,
basing him on the kind of dog he dreamed of having as
a little boy. But there’s nothing little about Clifford!
Even though he’s fire-engine red and as big as a house,
Clifford doesn’t do anything a real dog couldn’t do (with
a little imagination.) The Clifford stories are based
on ordinary events that turn extraordinary when Clifford
makes innocent mistakes. His side-kick is his sweet little
blonde owner, Emily Elizabeth. Designed for readers aged
6-10 years old, Clifford has been a children’s favorite
since 1963. Now a PBS cartoon, Clifford continues to delight
dog-lovers the world over.
The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog
introduces us to Hank, and it isn’t long before you get
the impression that author John R. Erickson is a keen
observer of dogs. Indeed, as a former cowboy and ranch
manager, Erickson started spinning yarns about Hank and
Drover, two dogs he worked with on the range. These “true”
stories became the Hank series, which now numbers at 48
installments. Designed for middle readers, ages 6-12,
these make perfect read-aloud books that will even entertain
adults. There are even recordings of the author reading
the books available now!
Without a dog-gone doubt, dogs in print
can substitute as man’s best friend. It’s a fine reward
to see your little one light up at the sight of a book.
A good dog and a good book, a match made in heaven!
About the Author
Emma Snow an animal lover works in marketing for Dog Pound
http://www.dog-pound.net
and Horse Stall http://www.horse-stall.net
leading portals for pet management.
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