Remember summer reading programs when you were a kid? There was one at my local library that motivated me to read ALL the Lassie books they had and even Old Yeller!! I’m so happy to still have those great memories of sitting in the sun, reading books in the middle of the day — because it was summer!

Over the next few months, I hope you’ll stop by here for my reviews of a few kids books centered around dogs. I was fortunate enough to get advance copies from the publishers, and I bet one of these books will make a great present. Since today is the first day of summer, here is the first book!!

CAN I BE YOUR DOG?

Do you have a little dog lover at home? Have a kindergartener at home, or know a first grade teacher interested in showing their students the art of written letters while introducing them to the topic of dog adoption? I have just the big colorful picture book to read aloud at story time! 

Can I Be Your Dog? is a wonderful heartfelt story about Arfy, a homeless dog searching for his forever home. His story is hopeful and bittersweet at the same time. Arfy genuinely personifies what real dogs could go through, teaching a compassionate lesson to little ones.

I immediately fell in love with his big sweet and goofy face, and the tender hearted series of letters he sends to all the people who live along his street.

Letter writing may not be as common as it once was in the era of email and texting but the powerful meaning behind his words and search for a forever family resonates on every big colorful page.