From School Library Journal
Grade 4-7-This guidebook helps children establish friendships with their dogs and develop responsibility by caring for them. The introduction for parents discusses things to consider before bringing a dog home, how to choose the right one for your family, foster dog care as a preliminary tryout, and more. The main text covers puppy care, "creature comforts," safety, food, games, and projects. More than 60 activities including crafts, recipes, and games are suggested as are helpful hints to make vet visits and travel with pets easier. Concluding sections have an extensive reading list; resources including Web sites, organizations, and a list of hotels that welcome pets; and a bibliography. Scattered throughout the book are "Paws for Thought," boxed sections with factual tidbits about canine pets. A real treat for dogs and their kids.Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


The Boston Globe
"Gives ideas for fun safe activities for you and your dog to do together."


Dog World magazine
"Shares a wide variety of activities that provide countless hours of indoor entertainment for everyone."


Children's Literature
"Kids' and parents' time will be well spent boning up with this informative book."


Copley News Service
"Must-have for dog owners."


SmarterKids.com
"A must have book for young children and their four-legged friends."


The Humane Society of the United States
"Dogs deserve a lifelong commitment of responsible caring, and Rosenthal's book deserves praise for helping children play their part."


Betty White, actress and dog lover
"Good basic advice, simply stated, is interspersed with enough fun projects to hold the attentions of youngsters both two-legged and four-legged."


John Caruso, Director of Humane Education, The Anti-Cruelty Society
"A wonderful guidebook to help children develop a friendship with their dog through participation and understanding."


Dog World magazine
"Novel ideas to strengthen the canine/child connection."


Card catalog description
Over fifty activities and crafts and dozens of sidebars teach young children how to take care of their dogs while fostering a deep, long-lasting bond betwen child and dog.

ANNOTATION

Over fifty activities and crafts and dozens of sidebars teach young children how to take care of their dogs while fostering a deep, long-lasting bond betwen child and dog.

SYNOPSIS

Owning a pet can teach a child responsibility, patience, confidence, and the satisfaction of a job well done—and best of all, it's fun! Over 60 inventive activities and crafts such as Can Do Canine Show and Dog Day Story teach kids about taking care of their pooch pal while promoting a long-lasting relationship. Games such as musical chairs, burying bones together, and throwing a frisbee and flyball; fun things to make such as a rag rug, a pooch pillow, and a puppy bed; and yummy treats to cook such as crunchy dog biscuits and a dog food cake gets kids involved with taking care of their dog's needs while teaching healthy care-giving techniques and fostering a deep friendship. In addition, A Dog's Best Friend includes information about dog obedience training; a reading list of children's animal books; listings of Web sites, pet-care resources, and animal organizations and events; and amusing trivia for dog lovers.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Charlie Wyman

If you are contemplating adding a dog to your family, the introductory material addressed to parents contains some very good suggestions regarding the selection process and determining what type of dog best fits your life-style. The book contains seven chapters plus appendices. Beginning with the dos and don'ts of a puppy's first day at home, kids learn how to interact with their new pet and how to make the puppy comfortable. They will also learn how and when to begin training, about grooming needs, and best of all, how to have fun with their dog. Directions for creating a comfortable home, toys and edible treats for their dog and games such as fetch and burying bones appear to be great fun. A dog is a friend who will probably be around for a dozen or more years, so, kids' and parents' time will be well spent boning up with this informative book.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-This guidebook helps children establish friendships with their dogs and develop responsibility by caring for them. The introduction for parents discusses things to consider before bringing a dog home, how to choose the right one for your family, foster dog care as a preliminary tryout, and more. The main text covers puppy care, "creature comforts," safety, food, games, and projects. More than 60 activities including crafts, recipes, and games are suggested as are helpful hints to make vet visits and travel with pets easier. Concluding sections have an extensive reading list; resources including Web sites, organizations, and a list of hotels that welcome pets; and a bibliography. Scattered throughout the book are "Paws for Thought," boxed sections with factual tidbits about canine pets. A real treat for dogs and their kids.-Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Dog World Magazine

Shares a wide variety of activities that provide countless hours of indoor entertainment for everyone.

The Boston Globe

Gives ideas for fun, safe activities for you and your dog to do together.

Copley News Service

Must-have for dog owners. Read all 6 "From The Critics" >

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Betty White

Good basic advice, simply stated, is interspersed with enough fun projects to hold the attentions of youngsters both two-legged and four-legged.  — actress and dog lover