Did you know the term “Dog Days” refers to the heat and humidity of the mid-summer months of July and August here in the Northern Hemisphere? Most sources agree that Dog Days occur in mid-to-late summer, but the exact dates can vary from source to source because Exact Dates are tied to the dawn rising of the star Sirius, also known as the Dog star, and they change over time. The Old Farmer’s Almanac considers the Dog Days to begin on July 3 and end on August 11, which is typically the worst of the summer’s heat. I always picture a dog lying out on the front porch or on cold tiles of the kitchen floor trying to stay cool whenever I hear the term. Which led me to think about planning a dog-themed storytime. It also led me to want to share some books about dogs that you might enjoy during these “Dog Days” of summer.

In The Chase by Jenny Bloomfield a young girl on a beach throws a bright red ball for her dog and has no idea of the result of that one simple act. Readers follow along in this brightly illustrated book as the chase attracts more dogs and leads them through a museum, a park, and a waterfall.

Some Dog! by Mary Casanova tells the tale of an old basset hound named George. 
George has a good life. He has a place to rest his head as his owner reads the paper and the scent of a thousand things to smell as his other owner chops wood. When they go fishing still and steady George never rocks the boat. And then a stray dog shows up and changes everything.

When Digz, the dog, met Zurl, the squirrel, she teased him, and he chased her down until he saw the fear in her eyes. Three years earlier he had been a small pup in the shelter feeling the same way until Mrs. Pritcher adopted him. Now he is the king of the garden barking and baring his teeth at a little squirrel. In that moment he knows he doesn’t want to hurt Zurl, so he apologizes. Zurl apologizes for letting her temper get the best of her and for teasing him and they become friends. When Digz the Dog Met Zurl the Squirrel by Chris Pine is a heart-warming story about friendship and love. The library owns it in picture book and Wonderbook formats.

Is this…Spring? by Helen Yoon is a wonderful celebration of spring: the sunshine, the birdsong, and the flowers, ahh…ahh…achoo! With all the blooms and buds that appear, so do the poor pup’s allergies. I can relate! Instead of hiding inside, the puppy finds a fun and quirky way to enjoy his favorite season.

If you are looking for books with more words and less pictures check out a series called A Dog’s Purpose Puppy Tales by author Bruce Campbell. There are several books in the series all about puppies. All the stories are written from the puppy’s perspective. Toby’s Story is about a beagle puppy who is the last of the litter to be adopted because he is not as active as his litter mates. That doesn’t bother his new owner, Mona. She takes Toby to the nursing home where her mother works. As he comforts the residents of the nursing home daily, Toby slowly discovers his purpose in life. This heartwarming series includes illustrations by Richard Cowdrey. These are sweet stories that dog lovers will enjoy.

Cat Warren was thrilled when the breeder called to let Cat know that her dog had given birth. Cat and her husband would soon have a beautiful German Shepherd puppy. They were so happy they celebrated. The first night Solo was home with them Cat cried all night. Solo wasn’t her dream dog; he was a nightmare. He flunked out of every obedience class and had a terrible time around other dogs. Cat had no idea what to do with him until a trainer asked her what she wanted Solo to do. The trainer who had asked the question also answered it by testing Solo’s ability as a Cadaver dog. 
What The Dog Knows by Cat Warren is about Solo’s journey, the training, and the science behind scent work and how dogs use their noses to do amazing things.

The last book on my list is The Dog Encyclopedia by Merriam Garcia. This book features over 100 AKC-registered breads, as well as dog breeds that are known but non-registered breeds such as the Goldendoodle and the Puggle. The pages feature facts about each dog and special considerations for the breed. It also features beautiful photos of the dogs as puppies and at full size. My favorites are the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Newfoundland. Well, really, I love them all!

Please ask at the Children’s Desk if there is something you’re looking for and can’t find right away; we’re here to help. Check out our monthly programming calendar too. We offer a variety of activities for all ages, from storytime to video gaming club for teens. You can find more information on our website at www.newulmlibrary.org on the Library Events page.

The library is located at 17 N. Broadway and is open to the public Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. and Friday- Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The library will be closed for Independence Day on Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4.