Additional information
by Margrit Strohmaier (Author), Claudia Gadotti (Illustrator)
"PLEASE, can we get a puppy?!"
Sound familiar? If your child is promising they'll help with walks, feeding, and daily care - and giving you puppy-dog eyes - this book is for your family.
What to Know Before You Get Your Dog is a puppy care book for kids ages 3-8 that helps families feel prepared for the responsibilities of dog ownership - together, in a fun and meaningful way. It transforms that exciting (and slightly overwhelming) moment into something beautiful: your family's first real conversation about what it means to love and care for a pet.
Through gentle rhymes and beautiful watercolor illustrations, children discover the daily adventures of dog ownership - from walks and play to feeding, grooming, and yes, even scooping poop. But more than a checklist, this book captures the joy, the bond, and the love that make caring for a dog so rewarding.
WINNER OF MULTIPLE AWARDS, INCLUDING:
- 2024 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards - Gold Medal Winner, Best Series (Nonfiction)
- 2022 IndieReader Discovery Awards - Winner (Education)
- 2021 Best Book Awards - Winner, Children's Picture Book: Hardcover Nonfiction (American Book Fest)
PERFECT FOR:
- Families welcoming a dog into their home - especially those considering adoption
- Kids ages 3-8 - and a fun read-aloud for the whole family
- Grandparents, aunts, and uncles looking for a meaningful gift
- Teachers, counselors, and educators for lessons on empathy and responsibility
- Shelters and rescues looking for a helpful adoption-day gift for families
BONUS: Includes free downloadable Dog Care Chart and Dog Care Contract via a QR code inside the book - for parents and children to continue the conversation beyond the book!
Because the best dog stories start before you even bring them home.
PRAISED BY: Jayne Vitale, Director of Education at North Shore Animal League America: "What to Know Before You Get Your Dog is not only one of the most delightful children's books I've ever read, but one of the most important."
Turn "Can we get a puppy?" into your family's favorite story.
