Non-Fiction Dog Book BibliographySelected and Annotated by Karen Woodworth-Roman
This book is beautiful to look at and full of info bytes as readers have come to expect for DK Eyewitness books. The subtitle is important though--Dogs: Discover the world of dogs, wolves, jackals, and foxes--their natural history, behavior, and domestication. Much of the book looks at the topic that is broader than the title Dog. Has a fairly extensive index.
Answer such questions as "Why do dogs like people?", "Why do dogs have cold, wet noses?", and "Can dogs recognize other people in your family by their smell?" Dog lovers will devour the interesting and enlightening information this book presents in one sitting. Has a page listing dog breed superlatives (fastest, smartest, etc.) and extensive resources for further study. Bright and fun book design that is very easy on the eyes.
More basic questions than Crisp's Q&A book on dogs makes this one a good companion. Answers such questions as "How many puppies can a dog have at one time?" and "Why do dogs burry bones?" Sentences are mostly short. Pronunciation hints are included in the text. Each page has at least one illustration or photograph. Instructs readers on teaching dogs to come, stay, and sit.
Summary: "Presents a variety of stories about working and rescue dogs who help humans in many ways, such as those involved in the work at the World Trade Center site after the disaster of September 11, 2001." Starts with the recent history of dogs helping humans (i.e. Balto, WWII, Sputnik II). Much of the book covers specific rescue dogs that assisted at ground zero. Later chapters highlight lifesaving, bomb sniffing, helping, etc. dogs. An interesting chapter discusses why Beagles are great at sniffing out contraband food for the USDA at airports. Photographs showing the dogs in action are excellent. Includes a list of resources and an extensive glossary.
Simple introduction to the basics of dogs. Describes dogs as being big and small and of various colors. Introduces dogs as both pets and working dogs. Especially nice is the "Words to know" section that shows a photo that illustrates the word. Also has an index and other resources listed.
Nice, friendly book layout, but not much information about dogs. For example, "Dogs love to run and play outside." The word list includes "covered, friend, fur, outside, special, and tricks."
Makes true-or-false statements like: "Only some doges are descended from wolves" and "A dog's body may tell of its feelings." Readers will know the answer after reading several paragraphs on the topic. Contains friendly illustrations that identify a number of breeds. Younger children in the age range may like this book read to them.
Information packed book for the younger reader that really teaches something about dogs. For example the page on puppies says, "A female dog usually has between two and ten puppies in a litter. Puppies are born with their eyes and ears shut." The book layout is clean, fun, and colorful. Words in the glossary are in bold font. Has an extensive glossary and index. Contents: Dogs | Kinds of dogs | Parts of a dog | Puppies | Choosing pet dogs | Caring for pet dogs | Feeding | Exercising | Grooming | Bathing | Training | Visiting the vet | Dog shows | Wild dogs.
Includes a brief history of guide dogs. Offers specific examples of guide dogs leading their partners to safety. Includes a section on guide dog training. The photos are good and the book design is colorful. There is a bibliography with books and web sites, glossary, and an index.
This may be the best dog book I read. (However, I'm not looking at them all at the same time!) See the fabulous detail of the writing, "Today, about 400 different dog breeds exist....Some can weigh as much as 200 pounds (91 kg). Others are small enough to fit in the palms of your hands. Despite these differences, all dogs belong to the same scientific family. It is called Canidae. This name comes from the Latin word canis, which means dog." Starts with the history of Bloodhounds in Belgium at St. Hubert's monastery, where Bloodhounds were known as St. Huberts. Discusses the temperament and has a detailed description of the breed. There is a section of proper care including need for veterinary care, good food, exercise, and love. Finally, Bloodhounds looks at puppies and getting a dog. The glossary is very good and the web site www.adpub.com is recommended for further information. Good index. Told in the first person from the point of view of a puppy, this book gives advice to new pet owners. Covers topics like how to hold a puppy, what to feed a puppy, and how to train a puppy. Some of the interesting features are "How to Write a Report on Your Pet" and a "Puppy Checklist" with items like "Wash my food bowls every day." The illustrations and photographs are excellent. I wish that the breeds were identified. There are no index or additional resources.
Honest discussion of the "Job of Rescue Dogs." Also has chapters on "Training," "Rescue Dogs on the Job," and "Off-Duty Activities". Explains how some dogs are trained to find live people and some are trained to find cadavers. Excellent photographs show dogs in training and working at sites of natural disasters and terrorist bombings. Includes Notes, Glossary, Bibliography, Index, and addresses of organizations.
Note the series title is Dogs Throughout History. Most of this book looks at the history of the Dalmatian breed. The story of the Dalmatian should be interesting to owners of Dalmatians. Some topics covered are "Dalmatians Help in War" and "Dalmatians in the Circus". Has a brief description of Dalmatians today. Includes a glossary, web site list, and index. [Other breeds covered are Beagles, Boxers, Dachshunds, Golden Retrievers, and St. Bernards]
"This book tells you about the life of a female golden retriever." (p.5) This shows the life cycle of dogs. A dog has puppies. Then readers see the puppy at birth and at various stages until she is an adult dog having puppies and finally old age. Good dog care is also included like taking the dog to the vet and need for good food and exercise. There is a short fact file and a very good glossary. There are four books recommended for further reading and a fourteen item index. The book design is cheery and the photos which take up most of each page are good. This is a fabulous book for older children. Probably the best one for the age group that I read. I think that a 10 year old who reads well could enjoy it otherwise maybe from age 12. Really nice photographs--for example close-ups of paw pads and a dog's mouth. The glossary, index, and the "Further Research" sections are solid. The author also lists a limited, annotated bibliography of works consulted! Chapters: Dogs and people, How dogs developed, The biology of the dog, Canine behavior, The life cycle, A world of dogs. Discusses the origin, temperament, and grooming of poodles. Describes standard, miniature, and toy poodles. Most photos look like they could be on a Poodle Calendar. The book design is clean and inviting. "A note about dogs" at the end of the book reminds readers about the responsibilities of owning a dog.
Describes the breed's temperament, origin, and development. Also, discusses owning an Irish Setter. The president of the Irish Setter Club of America acted as a consultant on this book. Includes a photo diagram that labels such parts of a dog as the hocks, withers, and tail. There is an interesting section called"Quick Facts about Dogs." The book design is quite basic with a photo on every other page. The photos are of good quality, but look like they might be just as at home on a dog calendar. Most of the definitions in the glossary are appropriate, but the given definition for tattoo is a "mark on the skin." That's a little vague. This series also has titles for other of the more popular breeds of dogs such as Beagles, Saint Bernards, Dalmatians, etc. The back of the book has a short bibliography, several addresses of clubs, internet sites, and an index. PS. I also read The collie / by Charlotte Wilcox ; consultant, Virginia Holtz. Mankato, Minn. : Capstone High/Low Books, c1999. Follows the same pattern as the above book. Includes information about the most famous collie, Lassie. I liked this one a bit more.
In an effort to protect bears and people, biologist Carrie Hunt uses black and white husky-like Karelia bear dogs from Finland to try to scare bears away from people and people food. Carrie and her partners give the dogs orders such as "bark at the bear." Follows the biologists and dogs on several bear outing incidents. Offers a list of advice to campers and hikers to keep a good bear a good bear. Interesting look at a little known topic. |
©2004-2007 Karen Woodworth Roman. All rights reserved. Updated 20 February 2007.
Clutton-Brock, Juliet. Dog / written by Juliet Clutton-Brock ; special photography Jerry Young ... [et al.] New York : Dorling Kindersley, 2000. [ "DK Eyewitness books" ] 0789457741 (Ages 8+)