The Dog Encyclopedia for Kids

January 2, 2017
Gagne gathers more than 150 breeds of dogs into seven categories (“Hunting Hounds,” “Intelligent Companions,” “Independent Terriers,” etc.) that correspond to divisions established by the American Kennel Association. Each canine gets either a page or spread to itself, all of which include full-color photographs of the dogs, information about their appearance and personality, notes about training and care (“An Italian Greyhound needs a coat if it will be outdoors in the winter”), and other details. A clean design and the concise but thorough studies of each breed should appeal to casual and devoted dog-lovers alike, as will the sidebars devoted to well-known dogs and “fun facts” (“The name Shih Tzu is both singular and plural. Whether you have one dog or more, you have Shih Tzu”) scattered throughout. Ages 9–12.

March 1, 2017

Gr 4-8-Concise single profiles of more than 150 dog breeds make this an appealing resource for pet shelves. Breeds are divided into seven groups, such as toys and hounds, with a short overview of each, including coverage of appearance, personality, and training and care notes. The information is not extensive but provides enough to provide readers with a good sense of the breed's key individual qualities. Other data includes country of origin and date of the breed's official recognition by the American Kennel Club, plus historical background for some but not all. Layouts work well; every information bite is set off by white space and a bold, colorful heading. For each breed, there is a full-body photograph and a "fun fact" inset, accompanied by a smaller photo. The short tips about care and training make this title useful for prospective dog owners as well as kids who just want to browse. However, the content in this single volume is virtually identical to a concurrent series publication: the set "Dog Encyclopedias" consists of seven separate books, one for each group, and uses the same words, pictures, and layouts. While some libraries may decide that having the same content in one book and in several series books might be valuable, selectors should be aware of the duplication. VERDICT An appealing and accessible introduction to the subject and recommended for those seeking additional materials on canines.-Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2017
Grades 3-6 For all those who religiously watch the annual American Kennel Club National Championships on TV, this is the book for you. Here more than 130 dogs breeds are divided into the AKC's seven categories, though they're tweaked a bitthe Sporting Group, for instance, turns into Well-Rounded Companions. Each section begins with a description of the group and then jumps straight into what everyone is waiting for: the dogs. Entries are around one page long and consist of an overview of the breed, including its appearance, personality, and training and care notes. The writing, though brief, is realistic about the breed but positive overall about each one. Of course, it wouldn't be an encyclopedia without plenty of photographs, and this delivers in spades, with every entry showing off the dogs in full color and with plenty of lively personality. This is a resource young readers will turn to again and again not only for the interesting facts but also for the fantastic, enthusiastic pictures of their favorite canine companions.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)